Cloth black beret

[colin 17]

I have this black cotton beret marked "UN CRM CAP CO / LARGE / 1945 / OTTAWA CANADA"
I assume it was used as headress for "dirty" work? Any idea of value?
Colin

[slick_mick]

Canadian Armoured Corps at a guess wore these.

Mick

[edstorey]

The item in question is not a beret. It is a mechanic's cap and was intended to be worn with coveralls.

[Tanker Mike]

Caps have a brim, these do not, it is a work dress Canadian Armoured beret. The only difference is that a capbadge is not normally worn on this beret, worn when working maintenance on the tanks and AFV's by crew members and RCEME attached to armoured units.

[edstorey]

I can provide a wartime Ordnance Catalogue listing for a Mechanics Cap, perhaps Tanker Mike can support his statement with a similar reference?

[Tanker Mike]

If it quacks like a duck....

[fearnaught]

Hi, I've got one that came as a tank workshop cap. It's made by Buffalo Cap & Neckwear limited 1944. Mike

[edstorey]

The Mechanics Caps are quite common, moreso than the corresponding black coveralls and generally usually do not attract too much attention from the average collector as most are looking for wartime black Berets.

I am hoping that once Tanker Mike finishes his duck imitations that he will be able to provide some insight on the headdress he is squalking about.

[badgeman]

Originally Posted by edstorey

The Mechanics Caps are quite common, moreso than the corresponding black coveralls and generally usually do not attract too much attention from the average collector as most are looking for wartime black Berets.

I am hoping that once Tanker Mike finishes his duck imitations that he will be able to provide some insight on the headdress he is squalking about.

Hi
I'm affraid I have to agree with edstorey, this is NOT a Beret, its a Mechanics Cap, although similar, its not a Beret.
BM

[Chrisr]

Originally Posted by Tanker Mike

If it quacks like a duck....

Not necessarily. Could be a hunter's "quacker"

[edstorey]

Here is the listing from CARO 5054.

[Wyn vdSchee]

Having served 23 years in the RCAC, I can verify Ed Storey's identification of this piece of head gear as a mechanic's cap, never to be confused with a beret. It was worn predominately by RCEME blokes, although RCAC soldiers were also seen wore them on occasion.

[servicepub]

Colin,
You show this as made by "UN CRM CAP CO ..." but I would suggest that this is "UNIFORM CAP CO ...", a well-known maker

Clive