Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice condition, U.S. Marine Corps Dress M1917 Blue "Bell Crown" visor cap, intended to be worn by Enlisted Men for dress and parade occasions. The name comes from the pronounced flare out towards the top of the cap. This cap is constructed of wool fabric stretched over a wicker inner frame.

The cap features a brown leather brim, supported by pressed paper or fabric. The red piping trim was added when the previous 1912 model was patterned. The front of the cap bears the correct brass EGA (repaired screw post) for the "dress blue" scheme, with a brown leather adjustable chinstrap with two USMC side buttons. The 1917 Model replaced the black visor and chinstrap with brown, but it is doubtless that many 1912 models saw service through WWI.

Minor moth issues to report, the hat is sound, not crushed or broken. The brown leather sweatband is barely stitched to the body of the hat, and in good shape, considering the age. Unfortunately someone attempted to “repair” areas of the sweatband and brim with what appears to be white glue, which did not hold and stained portion of the inside. We estimate the size to be US 7 or so. The leather sweatband is almost completely detached and bears the name W. BLEIFUS stamped in multiple areas. Unfortunately, we have not been able to locate solid service information for this Marine, making for a wonderful research opportunity.

The outside still retains the correct “summer khaki” slip on cover for wear with the Dress Green uniforms. We have not made any attempts to remove the cover as the fabric has shrunk and we do not want to risk causing any damage. The folded up the back side to inspect what we can see and the dress blue side is absolutely beautiful.

There are moth nips scattered throughout the outside of the cover, but nothing too damaging or anything to take away from the beauty.

A great example to pick up a rare cap from the WWI Era!