Dig Dis Funky Hat!

[Matt Caldwell]

The metal eyelets on the sides should have given it away as clearly being post war.

[tomarch]

I belive this is an I.O.O.F. hat. The Odd Fellows had a sort of military-style regalia and the crossed crook and sword is one of their devises. Is there any indiciation of who made it? M.C.Lilley & Co., Columbus Ohio, made quite a lot of Fraternal gear in the 19th C.

Tom Smith Redshirt Mess
Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus

[Canton Zouave]

This would be one of the types of dress hats of the Patriarch Militants of the Independent Order of the Odd Fellows. The Patriarch Militants was formed along the lines of the Masonic Knights Templar, and became part of the order in 1886. Their official emblem was the Crossed Crook & Sword with Crown, and their official motto was "Justitia Universalis" (Universal Justice) and "Paux aut Bellum" (Peace or War)

A little more reserach would have to be done to determine the proper ID for the PA (Pennsylvania...maybe) & the number 31

An article on the brief history of the Odd Fellows was featured in "The North Light" the quarterly publication of Supreme Council 33rd degree, Ancient & Accepted Scottish Right, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, USA. Volume 35, No. 1, Pages 9-11. The authur was Mark A. Tarbert, 32 Degree, who is the curator of the Masonic National Heritage Museum. The Musuem has one of the largest collection of IOOF artifacts in the nation, as per the article.

Yes, they are working to preserve more than just our Masonic Heritage.

[tomarch]

Todd: Thanks for the more informative info! I knew it was I.O.O.F., I just
couldn't recall the particulars.

Tom Smith , E.C.V.