Original U.S. WWI USMC Marine Corps Officer’s Bell Crown Visor Cap with EGA Insignia - Named

Original Item. Only One Available. This is a very rough condition U.S. Marine Corps Forest Green "Bell Crown" visor cap, intended to be worn by Officers for dress and parade occasions. The name comes from the pronounced flare out towards the top of the cap. This cap is summer weight, and is constructed of wool fabric stretched over a wicker inner frame, although the crown stiffener is now gone so the cap sinks a bit. The tan cap band denotes this as an officer’s example. 

The cap features a lacquered fabric brim, probably supported by pressed paper or fabric. The sweatband of this example is retained but heavily cracked and crazed, with the name G.R. KELLY perforated into the band. The crown also has a name which has been scribbled out. There is a maker’s label reading:

ARMY AND NAVY SERVICE CO.
THE
SERVICE
SHOP
293 Washington St., Boston, Mass.

The front of the cap bears the correct bronze EGA, with a brown leather adjustable chinstrap with two USMC side buttons. There is heavy mothing and tearing across the cap, and the fabric around the EGA is now very weak. There is some mothing across the crown of the cap as shown. The leather of the visor is weak, and the brim reinforcement is mostly absent.

A very worn example of a WWI USMC Officer’s Bell Crown visor cap, ready for further research and display.