This is the B-2 cap introduced in 1942, thus crafted from sheepskins dyed in dark brown with buttery-hued wool. Produced from the correct quarter-inch depth sheep wool and sewn with 100% cotton thread, our B-2 perfectly mirrors the vintage examples. Ruggedly constructed, including strong zigzag cover stitch, horsehide trim and five-panel assembly, this enduring style is the ideal companion to any of our flying jackets. Fight off the cold winds of winter in an Army Air Force classic!

Sizes available: 7, 7 1/8, 7 1/4, 7 3/8 and 7 1/2.  Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Imported from England  

.50 CAL is a small range of specialized garments that are offered only in the Time-Worn finish. They are unique in spec. to any of the other similar models we offer, so they are not simply Time-Worn versions of our regular range. The colors, materials and finishes are purposely selected to create a subdued and rugged-looking vintage garment that will appeal to those who appreciate the nostalgic charm of a true vintage garment:  The Time-Worn process is entirely hand done, which takes hours to achieve; the result is a garment that is still brand new, but you get something that has a vintage, lived-in, patina that you can continue to add to from the first time you put it on. The .50 CAL B-2 is made from authentic vegetable-tanned, North American sheepskin with a broken-grain character and hand-dyed finish.

This model of B-2 represents a spec. that saw the transition from the earlier 'Redskin' to the later dark Seal Brown versions. And the color of the fleece is typical of a transitional model - it has a distinct brownish tinge, compared to the much brighter, off-white shade of later models.

Remember - there's no waiting for this one to wear-in before you get it looking like a vintage original - .50 CAL B-2 is ready for action!  

Sizes available: 7, 7 1/8, 7 1/4, 7 3/8 & 7 1/2.  Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Imported from England  

This B-2 cap is the pre-1942 version, thus crafted from that same gorgeous hand-dyed, vegetable-tanned, russet brown sheepskin with deep-hued wool found on our Rough Wear 17756 B-3 and B-6 jackets. Produced with the correct quarter-inch depth sheep wool and sewn with 100%-cotton olive drab thread, the Rough Wear B-2 perfectly mirrors those extremely rare pre-1942 originals. Ruggedly constructed, including strong zig-zag cover stitch, horsehide trim and five-panel assembly, this enduring style is the ideal companion to any of our flying jackets, especially a Rough Wear B-3 Jacket. Right down to the Rough Wear label, there's no distinguishing our cap from an original!

Sizes available: 7, 7 1/8, 7 1/4, 7 3/8 and 7 1/2.  Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Imported from England  

The B-5 is the definitive helmet USAAF airmen flew with in the thin, cold skies over Europe. This classic style dates back to 1933 and it is made in that same gorgeous, hand-dyed, vegetable-tanned, russet brown sheepskin found on our Rough Wear 17756 B-3 and B-6 Jackets. Assembled with olive drab all-cotton thread, russet brown horsehide trim, correct ear and chin cups, and Rough Wear label, there's no distinguishing ours from an original!

Sizes available: Sm. (7 1/8), Med. (7 1/4), Lg. (7 3/8) and XL (7 3/4).  Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Imported from England

Ball caps were very popular with the USAAF pilots of WWII. Archive photo evidence shows they were particularly popular amongst the fighter pilots in the Pacific theater, and we happened to obtain an original vintage example that belonged to a fighter pilot of the 39th Ftr. Sq. that is red in color, though not all of these caps were red; it’s quite possible that the caps were color coded to match the squadron colors, as the 39th colors were red.

No authentic detail has been over looked, which includes making sure the original form-fitting skull shape is retained. No components of this cap exist today, so every piece of our cap, from cloth to hardware, was custom made to our exacting specifications. The cap is produced from a lightweight, worsted-wool flannel in Grenadier Red with the crown having the correct six-piece construction, which helps tailor the shape to a close form-hugging fit. Please note these other authentic details found only on a true vintage cap of the 1940s that clearly distinguish our copy from any contemporary ball cap on the market:

•Custom-made, high-quality all-wool flannel fabric dyed a subdued-wash red

•Six-piece crown with cloth-covered center button

•Horsehide leather sweatband zigzag stitched to cap, exactly as found on vintage examples

•Custom-made cotton fabric that backs the under side of the visor

•Reinforced inside seams with black all-cotton tape

•Hessian fabric employed as a backing to maintain shape of the two front panels, exactly as found on vintage examples

•Four rows of reinforcing stitching on the visor, exactly as found on vintage examples

•Metal ventilation grommets painted red, exactly as found on vintage examples

Available in sizes 7 – 7 1/2.  Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Imported from England

After well over a decade in pursuit of recreating this iconic headgear item from WWII, what was but a figment of personal passion and fancy can now be enjoyed by all like-minded enthusiasts of classic American style from the good old days. The navy blue ball cap was very popular item of headgear with Navy and Marine aviators of WWII, as well as with naval submarine and PT Boat officers, and just about any other officer of the fleet who could get their hands on these caps. Wartime photos and films reveal the caps being worn on duty or off duty, but the general public may better associate these caps with leading actors in classic Hollywood war films, where John Wayne can be seen wearing this cap style in no less than four films: “They Were Expendable,” “Flying Leathernecks,” “Operation Pacific,” and “In Harm’s Way.” Even the affable Henry Fonda and Jack Lemmon sport these blue ball caps in the classic comedic drama “Mister Roberts.” As commonplace as these caps once were, today vintage examples are all but impossible to find, largely because they were readily worn even after the war and simply perished through natural attrition.

The early caps were simply baseball caps purchased at PXs found on any naval bases or installations, but later caps were an actual item of issue produced in three different colors, including navy blue, complete with an official stock number and illustration in the Naval Aviator’s Clothing Catalog of 1945.

We’ve elected to reproduce the actual issue cap of the USN, complete with the printed spec. label with contract and spec. data. No authentic detail has been over looked, which includes making sure the original form-fitting skull shape is retained. No components of this cap exist today, so every piece of our cap, from cloth to hardware, was custom made to our exacting specifications. The cap is produced from a lightweight, worsted-wool flannel in navy blue with the crown having the correct six-piece construction which helps tailor the shape to a close, form-hugging fit. Please note these other authentic details found only on a true vintage cap of the 1940s that clearly distinguish our copy from any contemporary ball cap on the market:

• Custom-made, high-quality all-wool flannel fabric dyed navy blue
• Six-piece crown with cloth-covered center button
• Horsehide leather sweatband zigzag stitched to cap, exactly as found on vintage examples
• Custom-made cotton fabric that backs the under side of the visor
• Reinforced inside seams with black all-cotton tape
• Hessian fabric employed as a backing to maintain shape of the two front panels, exactly as found on vintage examples
• Four rows of reinforcing stitching on the visor, exactly as found on vintage examples
• Metal ventilation grommets painted black, exactly as found on vintage examples

Available in sizes 7 – 7 1/2.  Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Imported from England