Japanese Meiji Era 1886 Pattern Infantry Hat, Early Style
This item is listed for historical interest only. It was listed on our site previously but has been sold and is no longer available for purchase.
Sold for: $275.00

Original era manufacture. Early production pattern as illustrated by its tall size and small, rounded chinstrap buttons. This style of hat was likely worn during the Sino-Japanese War of 1894 and subsequent invasion of Formosa (Taiwan) in 1895. The hat displays an issue quality, rough texture blue wool body and top with Infantry yellow band and piping. There is a large brass star on the front of the hat, simple thin leather chinstrap and a short front visor. The interior of the hat retains its brown leather sweatband which has come loose in a few spots. No lining, but the interior sides of the hat display numerous kanji, perhaps of recycled paper of the era. The exterior of the hat shows scattered mothing, most located in the yellow piping and band. While some of the holes are sizable, we have to weigh the fact that early examples of Japanese Army issue headgear is quite scarce. A good find in nearly any condition. The hat is sound, not crushed and displays very well. We are fortunate in that we have recently purchased a sizable collection(relative term applied here)of Meiji era uniforms and headgear. All of it recently brought to the US from Japan. We will be adding these items to our site in the coming weeks as time allows.