Cap Badge, United States Navy U.S. Technician
Ca. 1943. Clutch fastener positively dates insignia to 1943.
1923. In use between Spring and Summer 1923 on SS Leviathan. The backing is wool and eagle device is gold-plated copper or silver; stitched thread along the seam fluoresces under a black light indicating post-1950 repair. All other components of badge do not fluoresce, including attachment threads of the bullion to the backing.
Cap Badge, United States Army Corps of Engineers, Dredge Personnel
Ca. 1967-1970s. On Denmark's Military Equipment Corporation manufacturer/distributor card.
Cap Badge, War Shipping Administration Ship Pilot
Ca. 1943-1945. The hat badge belonged to an employee of the WSA that worked aboard a WSA-owned and operated vessel as a ship pilot. An analysis is here: http://ianewatts.org/war-shipping-administration
Cap Badge, War Shipping Administration, War Shipping Field Service
Ca. 1942-1945. "Unofficial" cap badge worn on a "barracks cap" by individuals in the War Shipping Field Service. The Field Service was comprised of inspectors who visited shipyards and manufacturing sites where ships were being built under contract for the War Shipping Administration. U.S. Congress rejected the War Shipping Administration Field Service formal wear of its own distinctive uniform and insignia in October 1943; yet did approve of the creation of the service in June of the following year. Please see: http://ianewatts.org/war-shipping-administration
Cap Badge, United States Maritime Service, Officer (Vanguard - Type 2)
Ca. 1942-1945. Three-piece construction, full-size for wear on combination cap. Hallmarked Vanguard, New York. This variation of the Vanguard cap badge follows the woven badge carefully - it employes cables to secure the laurels. Note: deaccessioned.
Cap Badge, United States Maritime Service, Officer (Vanguard - Type 1)
Ca. 1942-1945. Three-piece construction, full-size for wear on combination cap. Hallmarked Vanguard, New York. This variation of the Vanguard cap badge follows the woven badge carefully - it employs a smooth grommet with beaded borders (recalling cables) to secure the laurels.
Ca. 1942-1945. Three-piece construction, full-size for wear on combination cap. Hallmarked Vanguard, New York. This variation of the Vanguard cap badge follows the woven badge carefully - it employes cables to secure the laurels.
Cap Badge, United States Maritime Service, Officer (Unk Manu - Type 2)
Ca. 1942-1945. Three-piece construction, full-size for wear on combination cap. No hallmark; however quite similar to Hillborn-Hamburger and is possibly an N.S. Meyer product. This variation of the cap badge follows the woven badge carefully - it employes cables to secure the laurels.
Cap Badge, United States Navy, Military Sea Transportation Service (Unk Manu - Type 1)
Ca. 1960s. Three-piece construction. No hallmark. This is the second design of the cap badge; the globe element harkens to the reach of the service.
Cap Badge, United States Navy, Military Sealift Command (Unk Manu - Type 2)
Ca. 1980s-2000s. Three-piece construction. No hallmark. It was distributed by Vanguard Industries and has the same design as the old Hillborn-Hamburger badge. This is the second design of the cap badge; the cap badge was redesigned to emphasize the merchant mariner component of the licensed officers serving in the MSC and keeping continuity with the original MSC badge design by retaining the MSC "houseflag" (NB.: there is no such flag flown by MSC vessels).
Cap Badge, United States Maritime Service, American-Hawaiian SS Co. (Hillborn-Hamburger - Type 2)
Ca. 1942-1945. Three-piece construction, full-size for wear on combination cap. Hallmarked H-H (Hillborn-Hamburger). This variation of the cap badge follows the woven badge carefully - it employes cables to secure the laurels. The house flag is hallmarked "Gemsco" (General Embroidery and Military Supply Company) within a wreath.
Cap Badge, United States Maritime Service, Alcoa (Unk Manu - Type 2a)
Ca. 1942-1945. Three-piece construction, full-size for wear on combination cap. No hallmark, but similar to Hillborn-Hamburger; the reverse of the eagle-shield device has "wavey channels." This variation of the cap badge follows the woven badge carefully - it employes cables to secure the laurels. The house flag is hallmarked "Gemsco" (General Embroidery and Military Supply Company) within a wreath.
Cap Badge, American Mail Line, Licensed Officer
Ca. 1930s - 1940s. Cap badge and band. Device has no hallmark; since it is not made of a precious metal, it is probably circa 1930s, pre-1942. The cap band exhibits fading, the thread dye is probably natural and mulberry-based.
Cap Badge, Matson Navigation Co. (woven)
Ca. 1950s. After the Second World War, shipping companies reverted to using traditional embroidered cap badges in the place of stamped metal badges.
Cap Badge, United States Maritime Service, American President Lines (Hillborn-Hamburger - Type 2a)
Ca. 1942-1945. Three-piece construction, full-size for wear on combination cap. Hallmarked Hillborn-Hamburger; the reverse of the eagle-shield device has "wavey channels" albeit they are in low relief. This variation of the cap badge follows the woven badge carefully - it employes cables to secure the laurels. The house flag is hallmarked "Gemsco" (General Embroidery and Military Supply Company) within a wreath.
Cap Badge, United States Maritime Service, Robin Lines (Unk Manu - Type 2)
Ca. 1942-1945. Three-piece construction, full-size for wear on combination cap. Hallmzrk unknown as device keeper corroded firmed to screw shank. The eagle-shield device is of Hillborn-Hamburger type. This variation of the cap badge follows the woven badge carefully - it employes cables to secure the laurels. The central Robin Line device's hallmark is unknown.
Cap Badge, United States Navy, United States Naval Reserve, Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) Enlisted
Ca. 1945. A metal pin-on device worn on Enlisted WAVES garrison hat; no hallmark, only "Sterling." At the outset of the WAVES program, in 1942 WAVES only wore a service cap with a cap band with the motto "U.S. Navy." This device was authorized in 1945 and saw service until 1948, when the program was abolished.
Cap Badge, United States Public Health Service, Nurse (copy)
This is a cast copy of a Blackintron cap badge of the 1943-pattern of the USPHS Nurse cap badge.
Cap Badge, Gulf & South American Steamship Co. (GSA)
Ca. post-1952/53. Flag which comprises of central element of a licensed officer's cap badge. Hallmarked Gemsco A.G.O G2; G2 is an Army Insitute of Heraldry (IOH) manufacturer hallmark - A.G.O. "Army General Order" was found on insignia items from the early 1950s-1960. Gemsco is an abbreviation for the company's original name: "General Embroidery and Military Supply Company."
Cap Badge, United Kingdom, Cunard Line, Officer
Ca. 1960s. Cap badge of the United Kingdom-flagged Cunard Line. The company is now a subsidiary of the ill-fated Carnival Cruise Line.
Cap Badge, United Kingdom, Mersey Docks & Harbour Board, Lock Keeper
Ca. 1940s. Cap badge worn by lock staff at Merseyside. These individuals were called "Marine Operators" or "Lock Keepers." The cap badge is gilt-brass and is without hallmark. The design of the badge mirrors that of train and land transit professionals - stamped metal. At Mersey, lock keepers worked in towers by the side of the lock. When a ship is to enter the lock, the lock keepers sound a klaxon to warn pedestrians and vehicular traffic that the bridge at the lock is about to close. Afterward, barriers are let down, blocking access. The lift bridge across the lock is then raised and the lock gates opened. Warning lights at the lock then change from red to green indicating the vessel can now proceed into the lock. Water is pumped into or out of the lock, bringing the lock water to the correct level.
Cap Badge, Pacific Steamship Co., The Admiral Line, Surgeon
Ca. 1930s. Cap badge worn by a ship's surgeon aboard a Pacific Steamship Company, The Admiral Line ship. Although the badge is without a hallmark, the keeper screw "The Victory" was a common device from the mid-1930s. Pacific Steamship Company was a creation of the Emergency Shipping Board and was a principal steamship operator in the coastwise trade on the West Coast from 1916 until bankruptcy in 1936.
Ca. late-1940s. Badge for a licensed officer serving aboard a STANVAC tanker. Flag is unable to be removed for inspection, but appears to be of NS Meyer construction; the distributor tag if Appel of New York - with design from mid-1940s. Standard-Vacuum (STANVAC) was a joint venture of Standard of New Jersey and Socony-Vacuum in the Far East; the venture paired Socony's marketing network in China with Standard of New Jersey's production capabilities in the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia). It was established in 1931, survived the Second World War, and operated through the 1960s.
Ca. 1920s. This cap badge was worn by a Grace Line ship's officer. The low profile and construction of the badge is consistent with cap badges from the 1920s.
Ca. 1950s. This cap badge is of the woven type popular with managing operators after the close of the Second World War. For expediency's sake, steamship companies used stamped metal and enamel flags on their cap badges; post-war saw a resurgence in traditional, woven and embroidered cap badges. This badge is an example of the latter.
Cap Badge, National Organization Masters, Mates and Pilots unionman
Ca. 1943-1944. The cap badge in context may be found here: http://ianewatts.org/nommp-not-ussb
Ca. 1940s. This cap badge was worn by a ship's officer. It was acquired along with a USMS cap badge that dated from 1942-1945. I do not know which was worn first; although I suspect the States Line badge was first as officers, once they joined USMS, they donned those badges as opposed to company ones. The nut on the reverse of the badge is too corroded to determine the hallmark of the flag.
Cap Badge, United States Power Squadrons, Squadron Commander
ca. 1940s. Cap badge worn by a Squadron Commander within the civilian organization, United States Power Squadrons (USPS). The central device does not have a hallmark. From present regulations (2020): "Cap device. The insigne worn on the uniform cap may include the wearer's rank if desired. As ranks tend to change frequently, it is suggested that the cap device without display of rank be used. When the cap device is incorporated on the casual, flat-top or baseball cap, the insigne of rank is not to be used. The cap device and the blazer patch share the same dimensions. The ship's wheel measures 1.5 inches across (end of handle to end of handle.) The wheel proper measures 1 inch across. For squadron and district officers, insignia are placed at the 9, 12 and 3 o'clock positions. Staff and rear commanders are placed at the 12 o'clock position and extend through the center of the ship's wheel. Vice commander's tridents are crossed at the center of the wheel and at 90o. The chief commander's three tridents are crossed at the center of the wheel and at 45o. Insignia other than tridents are placed at the 12 o'clock position. The blazer patch when worn without an insigne of rank is surrounded by a gold circle measuring 2.5 inches across and .13 inch in width. Note that this circle is not worn as part of the cap device. On both the cap and the blazer, the insignia of rank and grade are smaller in size than those on the uniforms. They are sized so that the insigne of a senior navigator measures 2.5 inches across (the same size as the gold circle). For squadron and district ranks, the tridents measure approximately 83 percent of the size of those on the uniform. National tridents extend through the ship's wheel and measure two inches overall."
Cap Badge, American Export-Isbrandtsen Lines SS Co., Officer
Ca. 1964-1973. Cap badge for a senior officer on an American Export-Isbrandtsen Lines SS Co. ship. The flag has no hallmark but is consistent with the time period. From wikipedia: "Jakob Isbrandtsen formed the American Export-Isbrandtsen Lines in 1964 by merging his two shipping companies. [...] In 1967 Mr. Isbrandtsen formed American Export Industries, a holding company to manage American Export-Isbrandtsen Lines and all support for his fleet operations, including container services, port operations, and fleet logistics. In 1971, American Export Industries spun off its holdings and returned to being the American Export-Isbrandtsen Lines. This merger ended in 1973." The cap badge remained in force through the 1960s.
Cap Tally, United States Maritime Service, Enlisted
Ca. 1942, The United States Maritime Service briefly issued trainees and enlisted members pancake hats until forbidden by the U.S. Navy in 1943. The tally is embroidered and not stamped (as are some examples).
Cap Badge, American President Lines, Officer
Ca. early-1940s. Cap badge used by an American President Lines officer. The central flag element has a Gemsco (General Embroidery and Military Supply Company) hallmark. Distributor of the badge is Appel Co. Please see the following page for more information on the badge: http://ianewatts.org/blog/2009/09/20/american-president-lines-wool-hat-badge/
Cap Badge, Isthmian Steamship Co., Officer
Ca. early-1940s. Cap badge worn by an Isthmian Steamship Co, officer; badge is woven with embroidered details. Distributor tag is All-Bilt.
Cap Badge, United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, Commissioned Officer
Ca. 1940s-1950s. Cap badge worn by United States Coast and Geodetic Survey commissioned officers; the Gemsco General Embroidery and Military Supply Company) tag and logo is consistent with late-1940s and 1950s manufacture. In terms of construction, no components of the badge "glow" under a black light, which suggests manufacture in the 1940s.
Cap badge, American South African Lines, Officer
Ca. 1940s. Cap badge worn by an officer with American South African Lines; in 1948 this company was reorganized and called Farrell Lines. The entire construction has the Gemsco (General Embroidery and Military Supply Company) manufacturer tag, and the flag device is without a hallmark. The gold-fill and keeper nut are consistent with wartime manufacture of the device.
Cap Badge, Maine Maritime Academy, Cadet
Ca. unknown. Cap badge worn by a Maine Martime Academy Cadet. Device is without a hallmark. Cap band stitching suggests 1960s.
Cap Badge and Chin Strap Buttons, Engineer
Ca. 1930s-pre-1942. Cap badge worn by an A.B. or Engineer officer pre-war. It comprised of a wool badge sewn directly onto a mohair band. The band was removed from a cap which was unable to be conserved due to mold damage. The cap badge stitching is coming apart; the cheesecloth backing is evident and does not fluoresce when a black light is applied - its construction is consistent from pre-war cap badges. Unlike British badges of the period which coil bullion wire around a copper thread, this badge is bullion over yellow floss. The plating has flaked off revealing tarnished silver. The metal grommets for the chin strap buttons (cap screws) was a design feature found on higher-end cap bands. During the war, most cap bands used a thread-reinforced slit for the cap screws. Of note are the buttons - there are cuff-button style and secured the chin strap by means of wire. The chin strap - since discarded - was made of leather. The buttons do not have a manufacturer hallmark, and the eagle is facing to its left. This design was used prior to May 1942. One of the buttons has a high degree of corrosion as would be expected for a base-metal construction as found on pre-war uniforms.
Cap Badge, United Kingdom, General Post Office Cable Ship, Officer
Ca. 1930s-1940s. Cap badge worn by an officer aboard a United Kingdom cable ship operated by the General Post Office. The badge is woven and embroidered with a central device depicting an hourglass in the hand of Old Father Time being shattered by an electrical discharge. The entire badge is surmounted by the Tudor Crown (also known as the King's Crown); which was a design element for cap badges between 1902 and 1953. The badge itself follows the pattern for British government cap badges - Royal Navy-style laurels flanking a central device and topped with the sovereign's crown. Cable ships were tasked with laying hundreds of miles of submarine cable which connected the world - first for telegraph and later telephone. Ships of the General Post Office had the designation "Her (His) Majesty's Telegraph Ship" (HMTS) through the 1960s.
Cap Badge, Panama Railroad Steamship Line
Ca. mid-1940s. Cap badge found on caps of Panama Railroad Steamship Line crewmembers.
Cap Badge, Luckenbach Shipping Lines, Officer
Ca. early-1940s cap badge & post-1955 wool backing. Cap badge is early 1940s vintage as the materials and GEMSCO hallmark attest; the backing's keeper pins are positively dated to post 1955 per the configuration of the dimples (two pairs of two).
Cap Badge, United Kingdom, Trinity House Pilot
ca. 1940s. Bullion wire on wool backing.
Cap Badge, United Kingdom, Trinity House Lighthouse Principal Keeper
Cap Badge, United Kingdom, Trinity House Lighthouse Assistant Keeper
Cap Badge, United Kingdom, Trinity House Pilot Launch crew member
Cap Badge, Portugal, Merchant Navy, Officer
Cap Badge, United Kingdom, Merchant Navy, Chief Petty Officer
Cap Badge on band, United Kingdom, Merchant Navy, Chief Petty Officer
Ca. 1940s. Cap badge affixed to mohair band.
Cap Badge, United Kingdom, Merchant Navy, Officer
Cap Badge, Luckenbach Steamship Company, Officer
Ca. 1930s. GEMSCO, Inc. cap flag is circa late 1930s; backing is of indeterminate age. Luckenback SS Co. was in operation from 1850 through 1974.
ca. 1930s. If a ship were under contact to carry "mails" for the United States Government, the vessel was required to carry two cadets: one in the Deck Department, and another in the Engineering Department. Due to the connection with mail, the cadets came to be called "Mail Cadets." This cap badge was worn by such a cadet. I am unsure if Deck and Engineering cadets wore different cap badges. A lapel medallion or dog from the 1940s is shown for comparative purposes. I have the orientation of the badge with one blade pointing upward. A photograph of a mail cadet shows two pointing upward; however, lapel medallions from the 1940s only have one blade pointing upward.
Cap Badge, Panama Mail Steamship Company, Chief Engineer
Ca. 1930s. Panama Mail Steamship Company was a subsidiary company of Grace Line (W. R. Grace & Co.) and was in operation from 1923 through the 1940s - when its ships were requisitioned by the War Shipping Administration. This cap badge was struck by Joe Harris of San Francisco; the woven component matches styles from the 1930s. A burn test and brass flag corroborate the time period. It was issued to a Chief Engineer.
Cap Badge (miniature), United States Army, Transportation Corps - Water Division, Officer (Unk Manu)
Cap Badge (miniature), United States Navy, Officer/Aviation Cadet
Ca. 1941-1945. Cap device worn by offficer and aviation cadets on garrison hat. Device is a miniature of the full-size brest badge worn by qualified naval aviators. Eventually, this device was abandoned post war for the service coat collar insigne as worn by midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy and in NROTC. Manufacturer: Hillborn-Hamburger with Imperial tradename.
Cap Badge (restrike), Army Transportation Corps - Water Division, "Chief Petty Officer" (Steward)
Ca. 2005. Alan Beckman interpretation of an unofficial TC-WD cap badge; designation of CPO steward when no badge or “rank” existed in the organization.
Cap Badge, Army Transportation Corps - Water Division, "Chief Petty Officer"
Ca. 1945-1949. Manufacturer: N.S. Meyer. This unofficial issue was created by using a USN CPO badge with the USN abbreviation removed and replaced with a TC wheel. The TC-WD did not have ranks, rather seaman license status; attribution of CPO is incorrect. This may be a fantasy cap badge.
Cap Badge (restrike), Army Transportation Corps - Water Division, Watchman
Ca. 2005. Restrike of CPO cap badge "Watchman." Same device used in MSTS and MSC.
Cap Badge (restrike), Army Transportation Corps - Water Division, Electrician
Cap Badge, Army Transportation Corps - Water Division, Officer
Cap Badge, Army Transport Service - Harbor Boat, Officer
Cap Badge, Army Transport Service, Officer
Cap Badge, United States Maritime Commission - United States Maritime Service, Officer Trainee
Ca. 1938-1939 (1940-1942?). Cap badge issued to "officer enrollees"; the earliest image of cap badge is from Hoffman Island in 1939.
Cap Badge, United States Maritime Commission - United States Maritime Service, Trainee
Ca. 1938-1939 (1940-1942?).Manufacturer: N.S. Meyer. Cap badge worn by officer trainees of the U.S. Maritime Service at East coast training stations. Record includes collar dogs of the same. https://ianewatts.org/usms-cap-badges/
Cap Badge, United States Maritime Service, Officer
Cap Badge, U.S. Maritime Commission - United State Maritime Service, training cadre/chief petty officer
Cap Badge, U.S. Maritime Service, officer/cadet officer
Cap Badge, United States Maritime Commission, U.S. Maritime Service training cadre CPO/trainee (Type 1 - Brass)
Cap Badge, United States Maritime Commission - United States Maritime Service, training cadre/chief petty officer.
Cap Badge, United States Maritime Commission, United States Maritime Service training cadre CPO/trainee (Type 1 - Nickel)
Ca. 1938-1942. Manu.: American Emblem Co. Associated collar dog matches that of the USMS officer trainee from 1938-1939; there is no associated nickel collar dog.
Cap Badge, United States Maritime Commission, United States Maritime Service training cadre CPO/trainee (Type 1 - Nickel) "Garrison"
Ca. 1938-1942. Manu.: American Emblem Co. Kepper post sawed off and replaced with straight pin.
Cap Badge, War Shipping Administration, U.S. Maritime Service training cadre CPO/trainee (Type 2 - Variant 1)