China, Republic. A Kuomintang Army Officer’s Service Cap

A wartime Kuomintang (also referred to as Guomindang or Nationalist Party of China) Army Officer’s service cap, constructed entirely of khaki-coloured woven cotton with a raised peak. The cap consists of a crown that features a supportive spring-loaded wire ring that gives the crown its distinctive shape and traditional raised peak, with a cap band directly below. The cap band itself is constructed of coarsely woven, ribbed, khaki coloured cotton. Mounted to the peak of the cap, is a cloth and bullion Kuomintang insignia, constructed of rolled golden aluminum bullion wires in the shape of a central sun with twelve rays on a dark blue wool backer, held in place by a pair of large wings equally crafted of bullion wire. Included is a chocolate-brown leather chin strap that is held in place on either side of the cap by matching gilded bronze buttons equally displaying the Kuomintang insignia. The chin strap rests upon a thick chocolate-brown leather visor, without creases or folds. The interior of the cap is lined entirely with matching khaki-coloured cotton with a chocolate-brown leatherette sweatband that is folded up to hide the interior of the cap. It measures approximately 26 cm (w) x 28 mm (l), with some material fatigue from age and wear, in overall near very fine condition.