Antique/Vintage U. S Marine, Browning King & Co. (Shore Leave) Beret Cap
Please review all pictures for overall condition and size, as this helps form the overall condition/description of the item. Wear is consistent with age and use. Unfortunately, this has got stuck to another one when it was being stored in the attic. It has some material loss and material from the other hat stuck to this one. The ribbons in the back are worn and fragile, one is barely attached still (by a thread). It is a very interesting and mysterious hat. We found it in my Girlfriend’s Grandparent’s attic with some military stuff. It has her Grandfathers name on a label sewn inside but he was in the Army Air Force. We tried to ask the family if anyone knew if he was ever in the Marines, more specifically the Marine Corp Aviation branch but nobody knew anything. It’s possible he got it as a gift also, or acquired it some other way. He possibly served in the Marine Corp, possibly the Aviation Branch before joining the Army Air Force. This beret/cap (we know, Marines don’t wear berets) seems like something unofficial and probably for shore leave or some other unofficial function. My Grandfather, is a Retired Career Vietnam Veteran Master Sargeant and he’s never seen anything like it. He’s shown it to some people who didn’t know anything about it. The company that made it, Browning King & Co have been making hats since the late 19th century. This hat seems like it is early 20th century most likely, 1910 to 1930s. Hard to be sure. We wish we knew more about it but it has been a bit of a mystery. Please message us with any questions, we respond fast.
