Hat, Jungle DPM, Soft Brim
General Information
Name: Hat, Jungle DPM, Soft Brim 1.
Country of Origin: New Zealand.
Date of Production: c 2005.
Manufacturer: Simco / Squires Tactical Gear.
Camouflage Pattern: Temperature Disruptive Pattern Material (DPM).
Uniform Family: Yet to be identified.
Size: Large.
Weight: 100g.
Windproof: No.
Waterproof: No.
Similar Objects
History
The Hat, Jungle DPM, Soft Brim was a commercially produced item available for purchase to New Zealand soldiers in the early 2000s. It was sold through Squires Tactical Gear in Taihape, a well-known military outfitter supplying serving personnel, civil organizations, and hunters.
Offered in Temperate DPM, the hat was fabricated from a lighter-weight fabric than the New Zealand Defence Force issue equivalent. Its soft, unstructured brim allowed it to be folded or rolled and easily stowed in a field uniform pocket, making it a practical alternative to the more rigid New Zealand Defence Force issued hat at the time.
As a commercial item, it was not part of standard New Zealand Defence Force issue, but reflects the common practice of soldiers supplementing their kit with privately purchased equipment better suited to personal preference or field conditions.
Description
The hat is fabricated from a cotton and polyester blended cloth, printed externally in Temperate DPM camouflage. It features a flat crown measuring 8 cm in height, with two small brass ventilation grommets set into the sides. The grommets have a black chemical finish, reducing shine in the field.
Around the base of the crown is a cloth foliage band sewn down at regular intervals to form retention loops. These loops allow local vegetation to be secured directly to the exterior of the hat for concealment. The sides of the crown are lined internally, and between the outer shell and inner lining sits a layer of interlining that reinforces the foliage band area.
The brim measures 6 cm in width and runs continuously around the crown’s base. It is fabricated from two layers of cloth with a light interlining sandwiched between them to provide structure. Circular rows of stitching extend from the base of the brim outward to the edge, adding rigidity and preventing the interlining from shifting during use. The raw outer edge is finished with a strip of binding tape to prevent fraying.
A black braided cotton chin cord is fitted to the sides of the hat and adjusts using a black leather stopper.
Examples
Example One
Object Number: 8715-554-46108.
1 Note 1: This is just a generic name, as we have yet to find its actual name.
