WW2 SAS 'SANDY' COLOURED BERET - Advice Please

[Mike B]

I am incredibly lucky to have acquired an early WW2 SAS Sandy coloured beret many years ago. As can be seen, the badge is larger than usual and I believe it to be early.

I would welcome any thoughts that may help date the badge and beret.

In 'Some Talk of Private Armies' Len Whittaker notes 'The slightly different, wider version was probably due to a change of manufacturer rather than a deliberate design revision'.

The beret and badge are mounted in a glazed frame. I imagine this WW2 variant badge is quite rare and felt I should share it in the hope someone more expert is such matters can advise me.

For comparison I add images of the more Standard later WW2 pattern (this one attributed to Maj Bill Cumper - Demolitions Officer) and an earlier pattern.

All the best
Mike

[HamandJam]

Mike,

What a cracking items. IMO the badge is c1942 and beret as well.


The other early badge may be 41/42. Fantastic items. Thanks for sharing.


Cheers,
JB

[Mike B]

Hello J-B
Your expert opinion is greatly appreciated. I had similar thoughts but was not sure, your advice means a lot. Your own SAS album/collection is amazing!
All the best
Mike

[arnhem2280]

Hi Mike

Thats a great beret. The badge is an early one. I'll post a couple on here for you to compare it with later today.

Cheers

Arnhem

[Mike B]

Hi Arnhem
Great to hear from you - your advice is always appreciated
Mike

[JON188]

Amazing pieces gentlemen.
Now I know where all the great ww2 pieces go lol

[HamandJam]

Thanks Mike,

The early SAS badges were made by John Jones of Cairo.

Thanks for your kind comments.

Cheers
JB

Originally Posted by Mike B

Hello J-B
Your expert opinion is greatly appreciated. I had similar thoughts but was not sure, your advice means a lot. Your own SAS album/collection is amazing!
All the best
Mike

[Mike B]

JB - Great information as ever

Jon - Thanks ... I have lots of SF gaps to fill, just lucky with these, I think it was easier to collect such items in the past; despite the later advantages of Computer searches and forums such as our B&CMBF.

Mike

[manchesters]

Its nice to see a 100% original wartime SAS beret and badge.

A superb piece of history.

regards