Old Hat Shield

[TomB]

Blowing snow and very cold weather keep me by the fire today. While going through some boxes stored in the basement I rediscovered some items that I had forgotten about. In one box I found 35 civil war bullets and a old V.M.I. hat shield. The best I can remember I dug these items about 35 yrs ago in the Richmond area. Not sure exactly where the bullets were dug but I do remember digging the VMI hat shield near a church at Cold Harbor.

I don't think the hat shield will date back to the Civil War...but was wondering if there are any VMI grads out there who might be able to help me date it.

 

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[Rob66]

Nice.

 

[dgaughan]

cool find

 

[godisnum1]

"Sic Semper Tyrannis" means, "Thus Always to Tyrants"
I'm sure you already know that it's your state seal...


Bran <><

 

[Montana Jim]

A similar, but different VMI hat pin...



Source: http://julia.hanovercomputer.com/firearms/oct05/Catalog/Adamson web cataloga.htm (Item #2161)

"LOT OF 3 MILITARY SHAKOS. 1) VMI 20th C. 2) Late 19th C. shako with UCC device on front of hat with Ridabock label inside hat & white pom-pom. 3) Artillery shako with crossed cannon insignia and crossed cannon side buttons and red pom-pom. CONDITION: All 3 hats are complete minus crazing and scuffing. All hats have complete liners and/or sweatbands. VMI hat has several large dents. 4-56127, 4-56131, 4-56137-1 JS283 (300-600)"

 

[JARMAN]

Beautiful sheild, hope it dates for you. HH

 

[Mackaydon]

How about this one? Looks similar; maybe identical.
http://cgi.ebay.ca/Vintage-VMI-Cade...8130609QQihZ004QQcategoryZ13982QQcmdZViewItem
Don.......

 

[{Sentinel}]

That is an exquisite piece Jim and I believe that it will date to the late 19th Century. I also live in Virginia and have only seen these in the books. Never dug one myself but I tell you what if I saw that thing coming out of the ground I know that my heart would sink until I knew if it was Civil War era. We have found pieces of Jeff Davis/ Hardee Hat- pins around here but not any VMI ones! It is a beauty of a find in any case and I would definitely display it with my relics if I owned it (w/ a note bearing the correct era). Great Job!

 

[Smith1]

Good find Tom! Know what you are talking about, the cold! Ready to get with you when it warms up

 

[TomB]

A similar, but different VMI hat pin...




Source: http://julia.hanovercomputer.com/firearms/oct05/Catalog/Adamson web cataloga.htm (Item #2161)

"LOT OF 3 MILITARY SHAKOS. 1) VMI 20th C. 2) Late 19th C. shako with UCC device on front of hat with Ridabock label inside hat & white pom-pom. 3) Artillery shako with crossed cannon insignia and crossed cannon side buttons and red pom-pom. CONDITION: All 3 hats are complete minus crazing and scuffing. All hats have complete liners and/or sweatbands. VMI hat has several large dents. 4-56127, 4-56131, 4-56137-1 JS283 (300-600)"

Jim am I missing something...your hat in the center...that badboy looks dead on to me...

IMHO...That is one Righteous find...Very Sweet...

Nick

Nick...note the standing figure has the spear in the right hand in my post..while the standing figure in Jim's post has sword in hits right hand . Tom

 

[TomB]

How about this one? Looks similar; maybe identical.
http://cgi.ebay.ca/Vintage-VMI-Cade...8130609QQihZ004QQcategoryZ13982QQcmdZViewItem
Don.......

Very similar Don...but pic is not very good. I have sent a e-mail with pic to VMI requesting information. Tom

 

[Mackaydon]

Tom:
Did you happen to see the large pic of the pin near the bottom of that page I referenced?

 

[TomB]

Good find Tom! Know what you are talking about, the cold! Ready to get with you when it warms up

Hey Smitty....glad you caught this post. Want be long now my friend...spring is coming Tom

 

[TomB]

Tom:
Did you happen to see the large pic of the pin near the bottom of that page I referenced?

Don....you the man...lol. I just didn't go far enough down the page. There is no doubt it is the same type hat shield. I held the shield next to the pic and they appear the same. It's a shame they didn't date the hat. Thanks Tom

 

[Mackaydon]

Tom:
You may wish to contact the seller and ask him if he has any history on the product he is selling.
Don......

 

[TimC (North Alabama)]

Great piece and impressive detail. Way to go!

 

[TomB]

VMI Cadit Hat found on E-Bay by Don-Pic 1
Cadit Hat shield recovered by TomB-Pic 2

 

[TomB]

Hat Shield date established:
Received e-mail today from Colonel Gibson, Director VMI Museum Operations.
Col Gibson states that the hat shield dates to 1945 and is currently being used by cadits.

He futher stated that the hat shield would date around 1965 because cadets tended to make the otherwise flat shield bend to a sharper angle during that time period.

P.S. Back when I found this hat shield, early 70's, one must remember that was no Internet or PC. Research was not at your finger tips as it is now. That explains why I put it in a box and put it away I guess

Thanks for looking and sharing TomB

 

[Mackaydon]

Tom:
Congrats on your discovery and follow-up research.