Pre-Vietnam Era (1958) West Point USMA Full Dress SHAKO. Complete! NEAR MINT

Pre-Vietnam Era (1958) West Point USMA Full Dress SHAKO. As worn by the Corps of Cadets, United States Military Academy, West Point, New York. This was issued in 1958!

NOTE: The period Uniform, Red Sash, Sword Sling are NOT included in this sale, but the CADET SWORD and the SWORD SLING are listed for sale separately on this site. The original black paper SIZE TAG reads "7 1/8".

This was worn by an Officer whose class was one the LAST classes whose Company assignment (until 1960) were still based on height, the taller men going to the "flanker" Companies, and still graduated by General Order of Merit (until 1970). RARE in this SUPERB CONDITION!!

Well cared for and stored for the past 64+ years! This is the West Point U. SHAKO for wear with the Full Parade Dress Uniform. The WEST POINT SHAKO is an often overlooked piece of headgear by WWII collectors!

Pershing, MacArthur, Eisenhower, Patton, Bradley, Westmoreland, Dawkins, Schwarzkopf, Pompeo wore one of these first! This is made of WOOL-COVERED Pressed FIBER and is NOT a current molded PLASTIC SHAKO!! Unlike many SHAKOS, the large-plate U. Crest INSIGNE (the "Fried Egg") the BRASS VISOR TRIM, and the CHINSTRAP BUTTONS are GLEAMING! The Brass Insigne shows years of very, very careful polishing with'Brasso' -- the breast of the Eagle surmounting the shield with Athena's Helmet, has been polished during the Cadet's Plebe year to increase reflectivity. There are ZERO scratches, dents, or corrosion to Athena's Helmet. This INSIGNE with the correct two knurled brass SPINNERS is in absolutely PERFECT condition! No plastic, no polyester, no vinyl whatsoever!! This Shako is made of WOOL - COVERED Pressed Fiber, LEATHER, and BRASS. The only accommodation to the'modern' era is the Decorative CHAIN-LINK CHIN STRAP which is plastic.

This is a SUPERB vintage piece whose basic design has remained unchanged for generations! Particulars of construction and condition.

The AGE/ANTIQUITY/WEAR of this particular Shako is evident in four features: (1) The Lacquered CHINSTRAP shows only the slightest surface'crazing;' (2) The patent Leather VISOR also shows the very slightest crazing, adding the'patina' of authentic age. (3) The CHINSTRAP BUTTONS show very heavy polishing wear -- which also adds to the'patina' of this piece. True CALFSKIN Top (not Vinyl)! PERFECT condition CHAIN LINK Decorative Chin Strap! The original "hooked connectors" that fasten to the " CADET/ USMA" CHINSTRAP BUTTONS are present!

The interior of the crown is lined in a fine BLACK COTTON! The Liner is of Black LAMBSKIN, not Vinyl!

The interior Lambskin LINER is supple and is in an amazing state of preservation! The LINER is intact- with ZERO b rittleness,'crazing,' or tears!! The PATENT LEATHER TRIM and VISOR have been spit-shined and are gleaming with ZERO'bubbling' from exposure to heat over the decades, (only the minute hairline crack, visible upon close inspection)! The Solid Brass VISOR TRIM is still solidly attached, unbent, and shines like a MIRROR!

The black WOOL CROWN retains its PERFECT shape - - ZERO moth damage! The black paper SIZE TAG "71/8" is intact! The black cotton liner - adjustment SHOELACE is also present. Marked THE CADET STORE, WEST POINT, N.

Inside the older'SMALLER' Silver gilt lozenge. The later Cadet Store'lozenge' was'larger' and stamped in gold, not silver, gilt. This was a contract with the long-time supplier of Shakos for over a century, J. OF FINE UNIFORM HEADWEAR / EST. Photo illustrated trade catalog of 1900 they described themself as BAYLY HAT MANUFACTURERS OF FINE SILK AND FUR HATS. Both Blackened Copper VENTILATORS are present. The ADJUSTMENT TABS/KEEPERS are intact and have not broken off. Black POM POM (made of SHORN WOOL, and NOT shorn Polyester as are the current Pom Poms), canted forward, is in PERFECT condition and has the highly polished Brass FERRULE. This is a complete West Point U. SHAKO Full Dress Parade Cap!! This is the SHAKO design adopted in 1898 (along with the Insigne with the Academy's Coat of Arms). The one significant change to the Shako over the past century and a half was to the brass Insigne Plate: The direction Athena's helmet faced was reversed. In deference to the dictates of Heraldry, her helmet was made to face to the wearer's RIGHT (facing DEXTER) in 1922, not to the wearer's LEFT (facing SINISTER)! Affectionately referred to as the "Tar Bucket, " this SHAKO shouts Tradition!

A photocopy of this Officer's "Howitzer" yearbook entry will be include to the purchaser. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Militaria\1954-60\Original Period Items". The seller is "bataan12213" and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped to United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Denmark, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Estonia, Australia, Greece, Portugal, Cyprus, Slovenia, Japan, Sweden, South Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, South Africa, Belgium, France, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Bahamas, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Republic of Croatia, Malaysia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts-Nevis, Saint Lucia, Montserrat, Turks and Caicos Islands, Barbados, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Brunei Darussalam, Bolivia, Egypt, French Guiana, Guernsey, Gibraltar, Guadeloupe, Iceland, Jersey, Jordan, Cambodia, Cayman Islands, Liechtenstein, Sri Lanka, Luxembourg, Monaco, Macau, Martinique, Maldives, Nicaragua, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Reunion.

Original/Reproduction: Original
Theme: Militaria
Time Period Manufactured: 1954-60
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
Modified Item: No