Akubra New South Wales Mounted Rifles Slouch Hat

Availability: In stock

AUD$275.00

A reproduction of the slouch hat worn by the New South Wales Mounted Rifles circa 1896, this 100% fur felt Akubra slouch hat is fitted with a reproduction New South Wales badge of the colony, an adjustable leather chin strap, reproduction black puggaree, and coque (rooster) plume.

Size Guide
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Details

The slouch hat was first worn in Australia when chosen as the head dress of the newly formed Victorian Mounted Rifles by commanding officer Colonel Tom Price in 1885. It was quicly adopted by other colonial units in Australia and in 1890 all colonial forces, excepting Garrison Artillery, adopted the hat.

The slouch Hat was adopted by the New South Wales Mounted Rifles in the late 1880s. A photograph of officers of the regiment show them wearing the slouch hat with a white puggaree and coque feathers. By 1896 the puggarees colour had been changed to black.

By the outbreak of the Boer War the slouch hat had been adopted by all Australian colonial units, excepting Garrison Artillery. The slouch hat proved to be ideal for the harsh climate of the South Africa veldt. Unneccesary embellishments, such as plumes, badges and coloured puggarees tended to be removed as the war progressed to aid camouflage./p>

These hats are an exacting reproduction of the slouch hat worn by the New South Wales Mounted Infantry from circa 1896 until the Boer War. The 100% fur felt hat is made by Akubra, a company that has supplied, and continues to supply, hats to the Australian Army since the early 20th century. To these hats are attached a reproduction of the New South Wales badge of the colony with red wool backing, black puggaree, adjustable leather chin strap, and coque plume.

Specifications

100% fur felt slouch hat made in Australia by Akubra Hats.
Reproduction New South Wales badge of the colony with red wool backing.
Black puggaree.
Adjustable leather chin strap.
Coque plume.