WWI hat cord identification help?

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

I have my grandfathers WWI hat cord and need some expert advice.
1. I would like to determine what specialty or rank this cord represents?
2. What model of campaign hat would be appropriate for a late war display of this item?
3. Are there reproductions of the correct hat avaliable?
I know little concerning his service (primary and secondary sources long past) other than he was stationed for some time at Fort Pike
Little Rock Ar. USA sometime late war.
Attachment 34519
Other than his Remington Model 11 this is my only connection to him and I would like to document and display for the next generation.

Information

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[Paul S.]

I know nothing about US military from that era, but 5 seconds on Google gave me this: http://www.oldmagazinearticles.com/d...=Hat+Cords.pdf

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Yes I spent a bit of tome googling as well. Found some photos but none seem to match the two tone weave of two shades tan on this one. My research continues.

[Paul S.]

Have you checked with Great War Society or whatever their name is?

There is also a company named Great War something or other in Pennsylvania that sells Great War kit. They might have an answer.

[gsimmons]

Great War Militaria

[Black Jack]

The gold is used for Cavalry: Cotton was primairly used until 1917 when war time production took over. Depending on when it was issued a cotton and wool blend was used which creates a two tone appearance. When occupation armies were sent cotton became the norm, again.

Hat cords were laid around the brim of the campaign hat to signify the occuaption (for lack of better words) for the soldier. Blue=infantry, Red=Artillery, Gold and Black=officer (usually major or higher), Silver or silver and Bullion=Warrant Officer Red and Yellow (wool) Signal Corps.

As for repro hats a 1911 Campaign is appropirate as the hat was not modified until 1938. Several companies offer originals and reproductions, you can check Great War Militaria (price varies on condition), What Price Glory (there is a cheap and expensive version), and US Historical Society (about $90)

[The Wizard]

Actually, the branch color for the Cavalry is yellow (She Wore a Yellow Ribbon). ALL commissioned officers below the rank of general wear gold/black hat cords. General officer's hat cords are solid gold. Silver/black hat cords are for warrent officers. Miller's Hats in Texas is the place to go for a hat.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Attachment 34694I cannot find any pictures online that resemble the matte two tone appearance of mine. Does this picture provide any clues as to rank?

[armormodeler]

I can barely see stripes on the arm it looks like two stripes,which is corporal.another clue that he was an enlisted rank(not an officer) is his collar brass.enlisted is roundbacked with branch insignia on the face(ie crossed rifles=infantry,crossed cannons =artillery,crossed sabres=cavalry,etc) officers did not have a backround and had regimental numbers above the insignia.