Question about kepi stiffiner.

[ngairish]

Hey Everybody,
I have noticed that some Kepis have a stiff ring around the bottom behind the sweat band that is about 1" - 1 1/2" tall. I got a kepi as a gift that had one in it and I cut it out so the hat would fit better. What is that band for, and is it ok I cut it out. It really made the kepi look funny on my head. My kepi fits, and looks, a lot better now.

Thanks,

Adam

[Richard Schimenti]

Adam, sharing my thoughts with you: You did probably what most soldiers of tha time period would ahve done..namely, make modifications in their uniforms for their own comfort..

[VaTrooper]

It MAY depend on the quality of the kepi. The cheapo kepi that I have has a hard band like you say but my Semancik is nice n soft.

[flattop32355]

That's known as the Viagra kepi. Not many were made, and most were bought up by French observers.

It was expected that, after about 36 hours of hard fighting, the stiffness would decrease and the kepi become more pliant. If this did not occur within 48 hours, the soldier was advised to see a doctor.

Mods: You may deal with this post as you see fit.

[RJSamp]

That's known as the Viagra kepi. Not many were made, and most were bought up by French observers.

It was expected that, after about 36 hours of hard fighting, the stiffness would decrease and the kepi become more pliant. If this did not occur within 48 hours, the soldier was advised to see a doctor.

Mods: You may deal with this post as you see fit.

Good stuff Bernie. In the event the hard fighting lasts more than 4 days I'll hook you up with some movie directors in the San Fernando valley.

I thought that Buckram was used as a stiffener in hats and collars....

[Ephraim_Zook]

Adam, sharing my thoughts with you: You did probably what most soldiers of tha time period would ahve done..namely, make modifications in their uniforms for their own comfort..

A practice that continued into modern times -- WWII aviators removed the grommet from their service caps to produce the "50 mission crush" appearance. Indeed many of us in the Air Force did this well into the 1970s. It looked kewl.

[ngairish]

Ahhh, the ole "crush cap". The icon of the Army Air Corps officer. They are good looking hats. My Pawpaw was in WWII, but he was a grunt in the Army, one of the ground holders.

[Sgt_Pepper]

That's known as the Viagra kepi. Not many were made, and most were bought up by French observers.

It was expected that, after about 36 hours of hard fighting, the stiffness would decrease and the kepi become more pliant. If this did not occur within 48 hours, the soldier was advised to see a doctor.

I believe the best medical advice is to seek treatment immediately if the condition has lasted four hours and that permanent damage will have occurred long before 48 hours have passed.

Mods: You may deal with this post as you see fit.

Your kind permission is most appreciated, sir. :cool:

[flattop32355]

I believe the best medical advice is to seek treatment immediately if the condition has lasted four hours and that permanent damage will have occurred long before 48 hours have passed.

Hey, we're talking about kepi's, here. What are you speaking about? ;)

Member: The Without A Clue Mess

[Skip Arensmann]

I believe the best medical advice is to seek treatment immediately if the condition has lasted four hours and that permanent damage will have occurred long before 48 hours have passed.



Your kind permission is most appreciated, sir. :cool:

Sirs:
I think 48 hours proved they were tougher then than we are now.......conversely, we are softer now.

Regards

[Sgt_Pepper]

Once again I am reminded that it is difficult to convey "tongue-in-cheek" through the written word alone. ;)