Scout's Hat, Mid 20th century

Historical information

This hat is one worn by members of the Boy Scouts. Warrnambool today has two Boy Scout groups and Allansford has one. The Warrnambool Tooram group has halls at the corner of Banyan and Timor Streets and in Otway Road and the Warrnambool Norfolk group has its headquarters at the corner of Kepler Street and Raglan Parade.

Significance

This hat is of interest as an example of the hat worn by scouts in Warrnambool in the 20th century. The same type of hat is still worn by Boy Scouts today.

Physical description

This is a khaki felt hat with a wide brim The crown is folded in 4 sections with four eyelets. There is a brown leather band around the crown and a silver-coloured buckle and two silver studs. The band is adjustable and a piece of string with a knot is used for adjusting the chin strap and for hanging the hat on a peg. The chin strap is made of plaited leather and the inside is slightly stained. The hat is slotted into a wooden frame made of varnished plyboard. The frame is U shaped with two straight sides. A smaller added section of plyboard has been placed on top of the frame and this has an opening at the top to allow the hat brim to slot into the frame. This frame appears to be home-made.

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