This style of hat as worn by the Brownies during the war years is almost impossible to find. In our research, we have found only three other examples. It is interesting to note that none of the three we found had the Rawlings tag in back and one had the remains of a gold distributor stamp. Tbis hat has neither. There are some empty stitch holes in back of leather band that may have secured a Rawlings label or it might have had the gold distributor stamp but there are no remains of such. The hat is a condition rarity in that the body is constructed of white wool which easily lent itself to severe soiling which is why they were probably discarded as useless and as such, so few exist, especially in this high condition today. There is no player id to this hat but it has been worn as evidenced by the very light toning of the overall white area of the hat but it is extremely clean and has to be one of the best remaining examples extant. It bears no insignia and is simply designed with orange and black stripes and was only worn with the home uniforms as the road version, of the same design, had a gray body. This is the very same style of hat as worn by Bing Crosby in the famous film "Going My Way" where he leads the boys choir wearing this style hat and a St. Louis Browns jacket. Simply a stellar addition to any Browns or game hat collection and rarely, if ever, offered for sale.
Title: 1940-45 St. Louis Browns Game Worn Home Cap
Date Examined: 2-11-11
Style date/era: 1940-45
Hologram Number:
Logo Design (describe patch, sewn, or embroidered): none
Material of cap: cotton/wool
Manufacturer: unknown, probably Rawlings
Describe manufacturer tag
Number of panels: 6
Bill Thread Count: 9, soft bill
Color Description Body: white
Color Description Brim: brown
Color Description Button: brown
Band: brown leather
Players Size (indicate): 7 1/4
Size applied (note embroidered, stamped, flag tag): flag tag
Player Uniform number (indicate if present): none
Uniform number applied: (ink/marker or embroidered)
Players Name: none
Player Name: ( describe - ink/marker, embroidered)
Description of wear outside body: lightly toned
Description of wear inside body: lightly toned
Description of wear outside bill: light
Description of wear inside bill: light
Head band wear: light
Autographed: no
Provenance: none
Final Grade: authentic
Comments: body has orange and brown stripes as designed
Collection of MEARS Staff
(MEARS Auction LOA)