{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwii-usaaf-officer-winter-crush-visor-cap-rare-1st-type-flighter-by-bancroft-early-1942","title":"Original U.S. WWII USAAF Officer Winter Crush Visor Cap Rare 1st Type Flighter by Bancroft - Early 1942","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: One-of-a-kind. One of the most iconic pieces of headgear to come out of WWII was the U.S. Crusher Cap, or “Fifty Mission Cap”. This visor cap, in winter OD green issue color, was made by Bancroft, which is well marked in the crown and sweatband. This is actually a rare circa 1942 First Type Early Bancroft Flighter crusher cap. The cap is roughly size 6 ⅞. The outward appearance is worn from honest use, and decades of storage wear. It retains the original iconic \"crush\" shape. The sweatband is embossed in gold “\u003cstrong\u003eBANCROFT FLIGHTER\u003c\/strong\u003e\". In addition, the Bancroft label is visible underneath the now stiffened weatherproof lining in the crown.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cap was certainly used and is a bit misshapen from long storage, However, with a some effort and form fitting it will come back to form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the classic \"bomber pilot\" headgear, worn by USAAF pilots in Europe and the Pacific. Actually, this was the standard Army\/AAF officer dress cap, worn by pilots and non-pilots alike, but pilots gave this cap their own unique twist. Normally, this cap had stiffeners -- a support piece behind the cap device and a wire around the inside top perimeter to maintain the cap's round shape. These kept the cap in its proper, regulation military shape and angle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, since bomber pilots wore headsets over their caps during flights, they would remove the wire stiffener to make headset wear more comfortable, causing the sides of the caps to become crushed. Eventually, the caps retained their floppy \"crushed\" look, giving the pilot who wore it the look of a seasoned veteran.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe crusher cap identified its wearer as an experienced pilot, and was as much a part of his identity as his leather flight jacket. The crusher cap look quickly became popular with ground army officers and general officers as well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA wonderful example ready for further research and display. \u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41028269375557,"sku":"ONJR24ASF47","price":795.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR24ASF47__07.jpg?v=1707945360","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwii-usaaf-officer-winter-crush-visor-cap-rare-1st-type-flighter-by-bancroft-early-1942","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}