Original Imperial Japanese Navy Winter “Donald Duck” Sailor Cap Size 56/57
This is an original, standard issue Imperial Japanese Navy winter sailor’s cap, commonly referred to by collectors as the “Donald Duck” style cap due to its distinctive flat, rounded crown profile. We estimate the size to be 56 / 57 cm.
The cap is constructed of dark navy blue wool. The crown retains its shape with honest service wear and light surface nap visible throughout. The wool shows age and minor storage lint throughout along with some mothing on the top of the cap. The original chin ties remain present and intact.
The interior is fully lined in dark cotton material and retains its original issue label. Ventilation grommets are installed at the sides, and the stitching throughout appears original and undisturbed.
This cap retains its original Imperial Japanese Navy issue tag sewn into the interior lining, fully filled out in period ink. The tag is printed for the Yokosuka Naval Clothing Depot (横須賀海”被”廠), one of the principal IJN uniform manufacturing and distribution facilities during the war.
The handwritten entries identify the original sailor and his naval district. The service number appears to read ”一三七六”, indicating assignment through the Sasebo Naval District, number 13769. The sailor’s name is recorded as 大塚正作 (Ōtsuka Sh”saku). Both the date of manufacture and issue are recorded in Showa-era dating. The cap was manufactured in May 1944 (昭和”?”年五月) and issued shortly thereafter in June 1944 (昭和”?”年六月), a period corresponding with the height of late-war Pacific operations.
The presence of the original named tag adds desirable provenance and collector appeal. Overall, this is a very solid, original cap in good condition.
