4 5/8" Crown

3" Brim 

Shown with: Enlisted Cav Cords $16

Can be made in sizes: 6 7/8 - 7 5/8

Contact for Pricing

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This is the Official U.S. Cavalry Hat by Stetson.

Yup, we actually still have mounted cavalry. You may have heard that we have troops on horseback in Afghanistan, but they are Special Forces, not cavalry. Today’s cavalry are limited to riding in special events so they are uniformed in Indian wars type clothing, tack and saddles. Mounted cavalry was restored to the 1st cavalry division at fort hood in 1972. There are 7 units now.

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Shown is the Stetson Cavalry Hat, as made for the army. This hat is similar to the style of the cavalry hat worn in the 1880’s except the early one had an overwelt brim and a vented crown. The overwelted brim helped the hat keep its shape these Stetsons are of such quality that such reinforcement is unnecessary. Cav units no longer always wear this particular style, but this is the original.

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The hat comes with a black Leather Chin Strap and separate leather hat band. However the appropriate acorn hat cord is usually worn with just the chin strap. We have the correct yellow cord for enlisted cav, and black and gold for officers (see nam cav). Or all gold for general officer. The sabers shown on the Nam Cav. Are the officer type being smaller and gold plated; enlisted are larger and in brass. The enlisted type was very popular with officers too.

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This was the actual and official U.S. Cav Hat for years and is one of the types worn in Vietnam by air cav. The felt hat was not a uniform item for air cav but became a tradition believed to be started in 1964 by Lt. Col. John B. Stockton who commanded 3/17 at Fort Benning, Georgia. This is hat worn by him and his helicopter pilots.

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The felt cavalry hat was accepted by the army as it was considered a boost to espirit de corp. The popularity spread in Vietnam to nearly all air cav units and some mechanized cav.

The felt hats were never issued but were sold in the px. As mentioned, this is one the hats worn, there were other makers and styles, but the best were the Stetsons, and were by far the most popular. There were at least three different Stetsons worn, however, this is the only one in original army specifications, the others were larger in brim and crown being based on the 1870’s campaign hat (see 1870’s, Nam Air, Kilgore). These larger hats may have been most popular in Vietnam, but many preferred this lower crown height and smaller brim around helicopter rotors.

 

The term campaign hat refers to any felt hat worn on a mission (campaign) and is not exclusive to the four-dent drill instructor or ranger hat.