A North Carolina Highway Patrol Tradition...
About the Cords
Braids on hat cords have been used since the days of the American Cavalry. Enlisted cavalry soldiers wore gold cords on their Stetsons, and the use of colored cords became a means of unit and rank designation. It is rumored that the knots on the end of the cords, or “acorns”, bounced on the hat brims and kept the soldiers awake while riding. Throughout the years, the U.S. military has continued using hat cords on campaign hats as a symbol of tradition.
NCSHP History
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol have long used hat cords with their campaign “Smokey Bear” hats as part of the standard issued uniform. Historical photos of troopers show them wearing braided acorns as far back as the 1960’s or even earlier. In the late 20th century, the SHP acorns were adorned with hand-knotted accent braids, and these braids were made by a local couple exclusively for the Highway Patrol and DMV. In the early 2000’s, this couple passed away, and the knowledge and means of producing the acorns were gone with them. Troopers who had braided acorns passed them down to newer members, and they became increasingly hard to find in good condition. The Patrol currently issues unbraided hat cords to its members. However…
Holbbies Acorn Braids
Holly Baker, the wife of a North Carolina State Trooper, was challenged by her husband to use her crafting skills to replicate the “old school” traditional braided acorns. After over a year of trial and error with materials and techniques, in May 2016 she created a braid for the acorns that not only look as good as the traditional braids but are durable and will last for years. The braids are all hand-braided using American made materials, they come in a variety of color combinations, and take approximately 2 hours to complete each set. Knowledge of the new braids quickly spread, and the demand for the hand-braided acorns spread across the state. In February 2017 Holbbies Acorn Braids was formed. Since then, orders have come in from agencies and individuals across the US. Holly has outfitted the last twenty-four North Carolina Highway Patrol Basic Schools and has started shipping orders out to various agencies and private groups around the country.
Ordering Braids
Currently, Holly produces braids and sends them out based on a waiting list. For members of the NCSHP, the braids are issued to the member by Logistics as part of normal uniform issue. Holly braids the cords and ships them through the USPS. Cords are $35.00 per set for issued sets (gold on gold/black for troopers and NCO’s and gold on gold for officers). Non-issued sets, such as gold on silver/black, are $45.00.
These acorns make great gift ideas for troopers in your life, and alternate shipping is available for “surprises” for your loved ones.
Other agencies wishing to place an order should contact Holbbies at Info@HolbbiesAcornBraids.com for pricing as other color combinations are available.