Type A-3 cap: MASH vs Original. A pictorial review.

[coolhandluke]

Before beginning, I want to thank @mulceber for his help in finding an original A-3 cap at the most recent SOS.

In addition to Jan's A-3 cap thread, I wanted to offer up photos showing a direct comparison between an original A-3 and MASH Japan's offering. The original cap is noticeably faded, but in very nice condition otherwise. I won't be including any commentary regarding the similarities or differences between the two caps. I'll strictly let the photos speak for themselves.

Both caps are identical in size (MASH is a 7 1/4, tag is missing on original). I have a 56cm head measurement and typically wear a 7 1/8, so each cap is slightly oversized. As such, I'll primarily wear each cap with its visor flipped since that tightens up the sweatband to a wearable size. When wearing with the visor down, I have to wear each cap slightly cocked to one side, due to the looseness. If you are planning to purchase an original or repro A-3, be sure that you purchase a slightly larger size if you plan to wear the visor flipped, as shown below.

On to the photos...

Original

MASH

Side by side interior (original on left)

Original visor (underside)

MASH visor (underside)

Original sweatband and interior

MASH sweatband and interior

Exterior cap, on head photos shown in post below...

 

[coolhandluke]

Original

MASH

Original

MASH

Original

MASH

Original

MASH

 

[mulceber]

Man, talk about some great photos! Love the comparison, Luke!

 

[coolhandluke]

Man, talk about some great photos! Love the comparison, Luke!

Thanks for the kind words and for grabbing that original cap for me Jan.

 

[entertainment]

The rollover edge of the brim/visor on the original is a cool detail!

 

[coolhandluke]

The rollover edge of the brim/visor on the original is a cool detail!

I completely agree. I'm not sure if any of the reproduction caps include that detail or if the rollover is less pronounced on some originals. The size of the visor is just a bit larger on the MASH, but it's a more accurate size than my ELC A-3.

One of the things that I've noticed is that the sweatband is much more visible when the visor is flipped on the original. It's something that I've seen in period photos as well. Not sure if there's possibly a slight difference in the visor attachment method on some originals that leads to that occurring.

 

[mulceber]

BTW, since you mentioned you couldn’t do a label comparison, here are the labels in my MASH vs. original:

 

[mulceber]

IMHO, it’s a pretty close label, although noticeably different fonts. Interesting as well that the original spec. label contains significantly more text than the repro. I also noticed that the repro label is placed precisely at the back of the cap, while the original is off-center. All the same, still an impressive repro

 

[coolhandluke]

IMHO, it’s a pretty close label, although noticeably different fonts. Interesting as well that the original spec. label contains significantly more text than the repro. I also noticed that the repro label is placed precisely at the back of the cap, while the original is off-center. All the same, still an impressive repro

I think MASH (mostly) copied the Zip-A-Bag Corp label

 

[coolhandluke]

Ashley spec label...

 

[coolhandluke]

There are also Ashley Hat Co examples (not Ashley Hats, Inc as cap above), that are identical to Type A-3 caps, but are labeled as "caps, herringbone twill". Were these non-Air Force contract caps?

 

[mulceber]

I think MASH (mostly) copied the Zip-A-Bag Corp label

Very likely. Something about the font looks more modern than any of those though.

This is just me nit-picking, btw. None of this should dissuade anyone from buying a MASH cap if/when they restock.