We don't usually feature items in this space but this was too good to
miss!
This is a Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC) 1st Armoured Regiment slouch hat. It is an official
Hat KFF (Hat Khaki Fur Felt) Grade 1 with chin strap, a khaki puggaree, the Rising Sun Badge on the left brim, and the 1AR
Unit colour patch on the right side of the puggaree. The hat also features traditional emu feathers behind the Rising Sun
Badge, a reference dating back to World War I when Light Horsemen would chase emus to steal their feathers as a show of their
riding skill.
The 1AR has been active since 1949 to the present. The manufacture date of this slouch hat is 1994
and was made by the Mountcastle Company, Australia's oldest hat manufacturer for the military. It is size 55 (6-3/4
US), so while many of you won't be able to wear it to recreate the "Bruces" skit from Monty Python, it will
handsomely complete any Aussie collection!