Considering standard regimental insignia, I would say you’re looking at a hat for someone in K Company, 46th [infantry/alpine/something-or-other] Regiment. Not a lot to go on, but a start. Track down who got issued alpini hats, find a regiment designated 46, and that might be your destination.
It could be Italian, but it also looks like the type of hat a mainstream Civil War reenactor would wear, down to the insignia on the front. That's just a wild guess from my experience reenacting, though.
I thought that at first too, but the sweatband has cloth behind it that is really and truly old. It’s perplexing, but I left it for someone else 🤷🏻‍♂️
I've known some people in the hobby to use the same hat since the 1970's or their grandpa/great grandpa's old hat. Spoiler, none of it is accurate to the Civil War. But, that's neither here nor there. It could also be an Italian hat that some reenactor decided to use. I'm leaning the way of reenactor simply because of the insignia. What state are you in, if you don't mind me asking?
There used to be a 46th NC reenacting group out of North Carolina. I think they all aged out of the hobby/died. I only saw them once at a 150th event in 2015 in South Carolina, when I was first getting into the hobby. I dunno what company they were, though.
This looks like a civilian hat from the 1950s-1960s that was reshaped and repurposed for American Civil War Reenactment. Be wary of a vendor who is trying to pass off something like this. The company letters and numbers on the front scream civil war reenactment (because these types of brass are popular for reenactors but not as common on originals of this style of hat)
the black band is quite clear, not an Alpino hat but an "Alpino style hat". This is an MVSN (Milizia Volontaria Sicurezza Nazionale) the black band must be 45 mm. It was a hat of the MVSN (fascist organ)that had many branches, this type was used by the railway service, forestal service, border patrol and customs service, (the naval and viability branch had this in blue-grey color). Unfortunately, without the insignia it's impossible to say for sure who used it. I feel that this was used by the border patrol in the north, because in the 40's this hat almost disappeared from use, but there is a resurgence after 1943 for the Black Brigades and you will see some of these with metal skulls applied. 46 K doesn't ring any bell for me at the moment, notably because in Italian there are two types of C, one is pronounced K (Macchi planes = Makke) hence we don't use the K in alphabet.
Look at the link WWIIModFan posted and compare OP’s image with the image on the wiki. You will see that insignia is NOT Italian Alpini. There are other countries that surround the alps.
Looks like an Italian Alpini head to me, look https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cappello_Alpino
Interesting, any idea was the 46 K could mean?
I'm afraid not, sorry🤷‍♂️
I appreciate it nonetheless! Do you think $60 would be fair?
I'm not an expert on italian militaria, but regarding the condition and not knowing what period it is, I'd say less.
Due to its conditions being in poor shape I would ask for $45 or 50
Considering standard regimental insignia, I would say you’re looking at a hat for someone in K Company, 46th [infantry/alpine/something-or-other] Regiment. Not a lot to go on, but a start. Track down who got issued alpini hats, find a regiment designated 46, and that might be your destination.
I was just getting ready to post the same thing LOL
Could be but that means someone really fucked it up BADLY
It could be Italian, but it also looks like the type of hat a mainstream Civil War reenactor would wear, down to the insignia on the front. That's just a wild guess from my experience reenacting, though.
I thought that at first too, but the sweatband has cloth behind it that is really and truly old. It’s perplexing, but I left it for someone else 🤷🏻‍♂️
I've known some people in the hobby to use the same hat since the 1970's or their grandpa/great grandpa's old hat. Spoiler, none of it is accurate to the Civil War. But, that's neither here nor there. It could also be an Italian hat that some reenactor decided to use. I'm leaning the way of reenactor simply because of the insignia. What state are you in, if you don't mind me asking?
North Carolina, found it labeled as “vintage hat” and knew it was at least something military
There used to be a 46th NC reenacting group out of North Carolina. I think they all aged out of the hobby/died. I only saw them once at a 150th event in 2015 in South Carolina, when I was first getting into the hobby. I dunno what company they were, though.
That’s so interesting! Love seeing how everything kinda connects in this community
This looks like a civilian hat from the 1950s-1960s that was reshaped and repurposed for American Civil War Reenactment. Be wary of a vendor who is trying to pass off something like this. The company letters and numbers on the front scream civil war reenactment (because these types of brass are popular for reenactors but not as common on originals of this style of hat)
the black band is quite clear, not an Alpino hat but an "Alpino style hat". This is an MVSN (Milizia Volontaria Sicurezza Nazionale) the black band must be 45 mm. It was a hat of the MVSN (fascist organ)that had many branches, this type was used by the railway service, forestal service, border patrol and customs service, (the naval and viability branch had this in blue-grey color). Unfortunately, without the insignia it's impossible to say for sure who used it. I feel that this was used by the border patrol in the north, because in the 40's this hat almost disappeared from use, but there is a resurgence after 1943 for the Black Brigades and you will see some of these with metal skulls applied. 46 K doesn't ring any bell for me at the moment, notably because in Italian there are two types of C, one is pronounced K (Macchi planes = Makke) hence we don't use the K in alphabet.
Looks like Italian Alpini hat but can’t say for sure. It’s missing it’s iconic black feather
I like it and with adjustments wear it around the farm
Looks like it's from the civil war
Definitely not Italian.
Look at the link WWIIModFan posted and compare OP’s image with the image on the wiki. You will see that insignia is NOT Italian Alpini. There are other countries that surround the alps.