Update 12/20/24: SEASON'S GREETINGS & HAPPY HOLIDAYS from FLYING TIGER ANTIQUES!!
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Thank you for visiting. We hope you will find some vintage artifacts here on our site to add to your collection.
We look forward to serving your collecting needs! Happy Holidays, Ron & Kana.
ARTIFACT:
Great, early 1960's Cold War Period United States Air Force Lieutenant Colonel's Visor Hat with rare full dress white cover originally worn by Lt. Col. Walker J. Sloboda who was a Russian language expert and CIA consultant during the Cold War. Walter Joseph Sloboda was born in 1922 and lived to be 92. He grew up in Pennsylvania during the Great Depression as one of seven children. After graduating high school Sloboda enlisted in the US Army Air Corp, where he served at the Ascension Islands, Papua, New Guinea and the Philippines Post in addition to working with the CIA before his retirement as a Lt. Colonel in 1967. The original box is included if desired, but condition is rough. The cap is BLUE with a black wool felt visor, embroidered with bullion detail showing two pairs of clouds and lightning bolts, and showing nicely detailed brass buttons on each side. The inside of the visor is lined with vinyl and beneath displays three tags and features a hat. The white dress cover also features a vinyl lining with labels beneath. The hat badge is in the form of the Great Seal of the United States, an eagle clutching oak leaves and arrows in its talons.
VINTAGE:
Circa early 1960's.
SIZE:
Approximately 7 1/8" Measures: Ear to ear: 8"; Front to back 7-1/4"; 5-1/2" tall.
MATERIALS / CONSTRUCTION:
Wool, wool felt, vinyl, brass, bullion, leather, paper, cardstock, cardboard, staples.
ATTACHMENT:
To be worn on head.
MARKINGS:
Inside cap: ARDC CERTIFICATE NO. R-3-1-62 A SAMPLE OF THIS ITEM HAS BEEN INSPECTED AND MEETS OR EXCEEDS QUALITY PRESCRIBED BY A.F. SPECIFICATION MIL-C-3095C. THE MANUFACTURER CERTIFIES THAT THIS ITEM MEETS THE QUALITY OF THE SAMPLE APPROVED BY ARDC", "BANCROFT MILITARY CAPS FRAMINGHAM, MASS.", "THIS BANCROFT BELONGS TO" LT. COL. WALTER J. SLOBODA 14172A MAKERS OF FINE CAPS FOR FIFTY YEARS BANCROFT MILITARY CAPS"; Inside Dress Cover: "BERKSHIRE DELUXE TRADE MARK REG. DISTINCTIVE IN STYLE AND CONSTRUCTION", "IDENTIFICATION LT COL W. J-SLOBODA", "REMOVE THIS BAND WHEN CHANGING COVERS"; Pamphlet: "LEE UNIFORM CAP MFG. CO. BALTIMORE 1, MARYLAND"; Box: "MILITARY CAP BY ACE FLIGHT ACE ACE MANUFACTURING COMPANY INC., SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS"
ITEM NOTES:
This is from a USAF collection which we will be listing more of over the next few months. MBJX15 LAGEX10/15 PSAHEX03/20 SAHEX12/12/21
CONDITION:
8+ (Excellent): The visor cap and dress cover show minor to moderate wear, nearly all the bullion details remain intact, much of the plating details remain intact on hat badge.
GUARANTEE: As with all my artifacts, this piece is guaranteed to be original, as described.
