Besides collecting the flags of the places I have visited, I also collect hats. To date I have several Russian fur hats or ushankas, a number of budenovka (which were named after Semyon Mikhailovich Budyonny, a Soviet Army commander during the Russian Civil War, Polish-Soviet War and World War II), a variety of Russian pilotka side caps, and a Russian naval cap which has a top that looks large enough to land a small helicopter on!
During our visit to Malaga last month, I managed to buy a modern-day Spanish Foreign Legion gorrillo side cap, with its distinctive red hanging tassel, piping, and chinstrap.
It now forms part of my collection of hats as well as my collection of Spanish Civil War military memorabilia. The latter already includes a Spanish Civil War M1926 steel helmet (without its straps and liner) and a Spanish Civil War Victory Medal.
During our visit to Malaga last month, I managed to buy a modern-day Spanish Foreign Legion gorrillo side cap, with its distinctive red hanging tassel, piping, and chinstrap.
It now forms part of my collection of hats as well as my collection of Spanish Civil War military memorabilia. The latter already includes a Spanish Civil War M1926 steel helmet (without its straps and liner) and a Spanish Civil War Victory Medal.
The Russians called their WW2 fur hats - 'Shaka Ushanka' - hat of fish fur - ie fake fur .
ReplyDeleteThe Good Soldier Svjek,
DeleteMine are definitely ‘fish fur’!
All the best,
Bob
As a fellow hat collector, I certainly want one of those. At least one.
ReplyDeleteTrebian,
DeleteI bought mine in a Malaga.
The Legion has links with the city, and Legionaries carry the Christ of Good Death on their shoulders during a special Holy Thursday morning parade. Later the same day they accompany the Holy Week procession through the streets of the city.
All the best,
Bob
We had an unflattering name for hats of this style when I was in the US Army. The polite name was garrison cap, but we in the infantry were much more crude. The much sought after "bus driver hat" was preferred as it looked more impressive and hearkened back to the post WW2 army.
ReplyDeleteThat was all fixed when the US Army switched over to the beret in the early 90s. We somehow managed to get bent out of shape over that too since they chose black as the color for the beret. We in the infantry were incensed over the choice of color since the black beret was worn by the Rangers and were considered elite. To see a "lowly" mechanic wearing the black beret drove us all crazy but we managed to get over it when they announced the Rangers would get their own tan beret.
Ah, to be young again and concerned with honor, tradition and all that...
It's interesting to see how many armies used this style hat. I remember I had an East German army garrison cap like this and even one from the Russian army. I was quite the collector of militaria back then.
Mr. Pavone,
DeleteVarious units in the British Army have worn some interesting headgear over the years. In the Paras you don’t get your maroon beret until you pass your training. Before that, recruits have to wear what they refer to as a ‘cr*p hat’ ... which in the plural is the name the regiment sometimes uses when referring to other units.
The beret is an interesting piece of headwear. In the UK they are issued in different colours on the basis of regiment. Therefore, the Guards wear a brown beret, the Royal Artillery use very dark blue, the Royal Tank Regiment a black one etc. When issued, soldiers usually soak them in water, and then wear them so that they shrink to fit the head. This is called ‘tomming’, and refers to the nickname for the British soldier.
The side cap is sometimes call the ‘chip bag hat’, because it is similar in shape to the bag chips (French fries) are sometimes sold in. It is supposedly derived from the French bonnet de police, which was worn as part of barracks dress during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.
All the best,
Bob
Bob
ReplyDeleteYou may like this helmet and hat collection site by Mannie Gentile of Toy Soldiers Forever blog in the USA http://combathelmets.blogspot.com
Mark, Man of a Tin,
DeleteThanks for the link. It covered some very interesting examples of steel helmets.
All the best,
Bob
This man has an interesting way of using language, I loved reading his blog.
DeleteMr. Pavone,
DeleteIt certainly is an interesting blog.
All the best,
Bob