help with Headgear ID please...

[mloschen]

found this super looking piece the other day...just wondering what I have and hoping that I didn't pay too much...

 

[Stony]

Welcome. Somone will be along soon to help you out.

 

[Shadow9216]

Well, it's a Naval officer's cap, not sure what that gold-ish blob on the shield is though. Crown seems to be missing the internal stiffener which is throwing off the shape. Maybe early 20th Century? WW1 or earlier?

 

[TalkingJohnMc]

I agree, Naval Officer. Probably from Louisiana with Pelican emblem.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

My first impression is possibly early U.S. Coast Guard or it's predecessor the US Revenue Cutter Service.
The pelican may be related to the unit being based in Louisiana ?

Anyway, just my first thoughts.

Welcome to CivilWarTalk.

 

[mloschen]

wow! what a great forum...thanks for the help

 

[Mark F. Jenkins]

I'm reminded of this emblem:

Expired Image Removed

which is noted as "Officer and Chief Warrant Officer Cap Insignia – Two gold colored crossed fouled anchors with burnished silver colored shield surmounted by a burnished silver spread eagle facing to wearer's right (in 1941 the eagle was changed to face to the right; to the wearer's sword arm). It may be embroidered or made of metal (standard or high relief)" at http://blog.medalsofamerica.com/officer-chief-warrant-officer-cap-insignia/ .

But the service is not noted.

I'm currently guessing some sort of late 19th Century or early 20th Century naval militia, perhaps? Trying to find out if Louisiana had a naval militia... At any rate, I'm pretty sure it's post-Civil War.

ETA: Looks like WWI-era Navy or Coast Guard insignia, but I haven't found an example with the bird (other than the eagle) yet...

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

I also wondered about a Louisiana Naval militia.

I may be wrong, but I don't believe that state had such an organization.

 

[major bill]

Only about half the states have laws allowing them to have a Naval Militia. Naval Militias have went out of style and only a few states currently have active Naval Militias. . Landlocked state often do not have one. I do not believe Louisiana is one of the states that have have laws allowing a Naval Militia. Perhaps Louisiana did allow a Naval Militia in the past.

 

[Mark F. Jenkins]

I also wondered about a Louisiana Naval militia.

I may be wrong, but I don't believe that state had such an organization.

I've seen a couple of references to a Louisiana Naval Militia circa 1905... but there's not much out there...

Until I see something that may indicate differently, I'm going with an officer's cap of the Louisiana Naval Militia, early 20th Century to WW1 era.

 

[E_just_E]

That's after the Civil War and before WWII hat. Is the pelican pinned on? Looks like an add on to the official insignia from here. Any way on counting the stars? That would help with determining an approximate age. Also a close up of the button would help.

For reference, here are ACW Federal and Confederate Naval Officer's hats:

 

[chellers]

I'm not one of the maritime experts; just part of the welcoming committee. Glad to have you, and thanks for sharing the pics.

 

[Shadow9216]

I'm reminded of this emblem:

Expired Image Removed

which is noted as "Officer and Chief Warrant Officer Cap Insignia – Two gold colored crossed fouled anchors with burnished silver colored shield surmounted by a burnished silver spread eagle facing to wearer's right (in 1941 the eagle was changed to face to the right; to the wearer's sword arm). It may be embroidered or made of metal (standard or high relief)" at http://blog.medalsofamerica.com/officer-chief-warrant-officer-cap-insignia/ .

But the service is not noted.

I'm currently guessing some sort of late 19th Century or early 20th Century naval militia, perhaps? Trying to find out if Louisiana had a naval militia... At any rate, I'm pretty sure it's post-Civil War.

ETA: Looks like WWI-era Navy or Coast Guard insignia, but I haven't found an example with the bird (other than the eagle) yet...

Yes, it appears to be a USN officer's cap badge- but the sticky part is your bit about the change taking place in 1941; the hat style is WW1 or thereabouts- so has someone added a WW2 badge onto a WW1 cap? And what's with the Pelican?

Here's a 1917 "Bell Crown" style hat with proper insignia and chin strap (which this is missing).

 

[Shadow9216]

found this super looking piece the other day...just wondering what I have and hoping that I didn't pay too much...

1) Welcome to the forum!
2) It is a super looking piece no matter what- and if you're happy with it, then really that's the only thing that matters. It's still got an interesting story to tell.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

I've seen a couple of references to a Louisiana Naval Militia circa 1905... but there's not much out there...

Until I see something that may indicate differently, I'm going with an officer's cap of the Louisiana Naval Militia, early 20th Century to WW1 era.

I think you're correct.

Here's a reference regarding the salvaged Spanish vessel Isla de Luzon.

Isla de Luzon was detached from the Asiatic Station on 15 August 1902. She left Cavite in the Philippines and headed east, eventually transiting the Suez Canal and entering the Mediterranean. After visiting several ports in the Mediterranean, Isla de Luzon crossed the Atlantic and arrived at Pensacola, Florida, on 16 March 1903. The gunboat was attached to the Pensacola Navy Yard until 6 December, when she was handed over to the Louisiana Naval Militia as a training ship. After a few years of service with the Louisiana Naval Militia, the ship was transferred to the Illinois Naval Militia on the Great Lakes.


http://navalwarfare.blogspot.com/2011/02/isla-de-luzon.html

 

[mloschen]

this is the most helpful forum that I've ever joined...and I've joined plenty over the years...One thing is certain, everyone on here loves a good mystery....thanks again

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

this is the most helpful forum that I've ever joined...and I've joined plenty over the years...One thing is certain, everyone on here loves a good mystery....thanks again

We're glad you're with us.

Solving such mysteries is one of our favorite pastimes .

Personally I'm waiting for one of our best naval detectives . . . ( @AndyHall ) to weigh in on this cap.

 

[mloschen]

here's some better pics ...thanks for all the help

 

[AndyHall]

At first glance I'm with @Mark F. Jenkins on the Louisiana Naval Militia. I don't know anything about that organization, but the cap looks like that time period and the pelican pin, assuming it's original, is Louisiana. Sorry, that's not very insightful.

 

[mloschen]

We're glad you're with us.

Solving such mysteries is one of our favorite pastimes .

Personaly I'm waiting for one of our best naval detectives . . . ( @AndyHall ) to weigh in on this cap.

I'm sorry that it turned out NOT to be Civil War Era...It had that all too familiar Romantic look, so I had to let you guys see it.