Help Dating USMC Officers Visor Cap

**MySonsDad** · 06-02-2012, 05:25 AM

From these photos, can anyone tell me roughly what period this USMC Full Grade Officer Dress Blues Visor Cap might be? I’ve been unable to come up with any good information on the net. I’m guessing mid 50’s to mid 60’s but I don’t have anything concrete to back that up.

Thanks in advance,

Russ & Son

**Walkwolf** · 06-02-2012, 05:43 AM

You could be correct about the date. It might be 1960's or possibly the 70's.
If you remove the badge and have a look at the maker and/or codes,
this might give a better estimate of the era in which it was made.

I believe it is a Colonel-grade Dress. Beautiful cap, BTW.........!

**MySonsDad** · 06-02-2012, 05:49 AM

Thanks Steve, will pull the EGA off here in a few and see what I can see. Will post photos if I find any markings. Russ

Continued.... Steve, there are several markings on the back side of the EGA, I'll take some time to surf the net for a bit and see if I can learn anything. Thanks for the suggestion. Not sure I can get good photos of the marks with the cheep digital cam but I'll give it a go if I don't figure anything out. Thanks again, Russ

**Walkwolf** · 06-02-2012, 06:19 AM

Just discribe it Russ. No need for a photo if you can see the marks with a glass
or naked eye. I know for sure that any 'alpha-numeric' code
is post-war, at least.

My guess is that it will likely be either 'Vanguard', 'Gemsco' or 'N.S. Meyer',
since these are the most commonly seen and are of high quality.
( These three insignia companies are still in business )

I also think the union label inside could tell us something too.........

**MySonsDad** · 06-02-2012, 06:44 AM

I looked up the union lable, the hatter & cap military union existed until the mid 80's so that's a bit of help.

As for the EGA, I did find H-H markings with an eagle etched in (very small) an H under each wing. Of course it is marked sterling in a couple of places and there are a few other markings I'm still trying to make out.

Russ

**Walkwolf** · 06-02-2012, 06:49 AM

'H-H' is for 'Hilborn Hamburger Inc, New Jersey'.

This company makes mostly USN insignia. There should be an 'I'
or 'I-H' kind of mark as well if it's a fairly recent badge.........

**MySonsDad** · 06-02-2012, 07:19 AM

by Walkwolf

'H-H' is for 'Hilborn Hamburger Inc, New Jersey'.

This company makes mostly USN insignia. There should be an 'I'
or 'I-H' kind of mark as well if it's a fairly recent badge.........

Does not appear to be and "I" or I-H mark of any type.

On the back of one of the eagle wings is the very small eagle marking with a "H" under each wing and "STERLING" written over the top of the eagle. On the top of the anchor there are two lines of text. The top line looks to read something like 1/3Q RB _N I can not make out the letter before the last N. right under this line reads STERLING. I've not found a similar example anyplace yet. most of the examples I am finding are WWII or earlier, which this most certainly is not.

Russ

**MySonsDad** · 06-02-2012, 07:38 AM

I just came across this ebay item that is a dead ringer to the EGA in my cap, markings and hardware is exact. Not sure how accurate the eBay description is, on this item, but if it is correct, I'm guessing the incorrect badge is on my cap.

WWII USMC Officers Dress EGA emblem for Barracks cover possibly 1930s | eBay

**Walkwolf** · 06-02-2012, 09:08 AM

This is possible, Russ, and it's not unusual to see earlier insignia on later uniform.
Generally, late WWII H&H insignia will also have 'Imperial' stamped with the
'H&H Eagle' logo, as this company was purchased by Hillborn.

I think the stamp on the reverse reads: '1/30 RG (Rolled Gold) ON STERLING'.

What is odd is that the logo on the badge is not the standard 'H&H' version
which I am familiar with. Perhaps it has been made specifically to fit
these badges - the lettering style does seem to have the right
'look' though. Maybe this is why the seller thinks it is
earlier than WWII.........

'H&H' logo on a U.S. Navy pilot wing:

**MySonsDad** · 06-02-2012, 03:03 PM

by Walkwolf

I think the stamp on the reverse reads: '1/30 RG (Rolled Gold) ON STERLING'.

'H&H' logo on a U.S. Navy pilot wing:

Steve, that is exactly what it reads, thanks for the clarification.

As stated, our example looks identical to the one in the ebay listing provided and there is no indication of any kind, that I can see, of Imperial. Maybe the key is to know what year that Imperial and H-H became two of the same. I have been unable to find any documentation on this.

Russ