Original Australian WWII Australian Commonwealth Military Forces Slouch Hat by Vero & Everitt Ltd. – Dated 1943 – Size 7 ¼ Original Items

Original Item. Only One Available. This is an exceptionally rare WWII 1943 dated bush hat. The left side of the hat has a lovely Australian Commonwealth Military Forces badge, which shows the rising sun of Australia shining behind a crown. It is attached by a pin on the back, and shows no signs of having been added post WWII.

The Slouch Hat itself is in very nice condition, and still has the original khaki cloth headband around the circumference of the hat. It looks to originally have been a nice khaki color, however the upper side shows a bit of fading due to use. It has original ventilation holes on both sides at the edge of the crown. The hat is sized 7¼ on the sweatband. The hat has its original leather sweatband which is clearly stamped:

VERO & EVERITT LTD.
1943

The cap definitely does show use, but is still in solid condition. There is just a bit of mothing on the top just under the trim band, and the leather liner definitely shows staining and use. A phenomenal piece for any Australian or WWII collection.

The distinctive Australian slouch hat, sometimes called an “Australian bush hat” or “digger hat”, has one side of the brim turned up or pinned to the side of the hat with a Rising Sun Badge in order to allow a rifle to be slung over the shoulder. The Badge on this particular cap is a correct WWII Issue version, which appears to have been fitted to this hat for a very long time. The hat itself is of WWII Manufacture, with an artificial leather sweatband that is dried and partially attached. It is in very good condition for its age.

The slouch hat was first worn by military forces in Australia in 1885 when the newly created Victorian Mounted Rifles adopted the hat as part of their uniform
after their commanding officer, Thomas Price, had seen them worn by police in Burma. On 22 December 1890, the military commanders of the then separate Australian Colonies prior to the Federation of Australia met to discuss the introduction of the khaki uniform throughout Australia. They agreed that all Australian Forces with the exception of the Artillery would wear the slouch hat. It was to be looped up on one side—Victoria and Tasmania on the right and the other colonies (later states) on the left. This was done so that rifles could be held at the slope without damaging the brim. After Federation, the slouch hat became standard Australian Army headgear in 1903 and since then it has developed into an important national symbol.

The slouch hat (also known as a Hat KFF, or Hat Khaki Fur Felt) is worn as the standard ceremonial headdress for all members of the Army, except those belonging to units or corps that have an official headdress such as a beret, and is treated with the utmost care and respect. It is also worn in some units as a general duty dress. When worn for ceremonial purposes, the “Grade 1” Slouch hat is worn with a seven-band puggaree, six of which represent the states of Australia while the seventh represents its territories of Australia. A Unit Colour Patch is worn on the right of puggaree, while a Corps or Regiment Hat badge is placed to its front and the General Service Badge (The Rising Sun) worn on the left brim which is folded up and clipped into place. When worn for general duties, the “Grade 2” Slouch hat is worn with the left brim down and the Rising Sun badge removed.