Unusual HMS Tiger Cap Tally
 

Picked this up a few days ago - anyone know what it is for - obviously HMS Tiger but why the flags and crown ?

It will be up for disposal once I know what it is.

Thanks in advance

PL

Possibly one made for sale to the public when visiting the ship on a Navy Day.

Or, possibly issued for a specific event such as escorting a reigning monarch on an Imperial tour?

I have certainly never seen a similar one before.

Unusual HMS Tiger Cap Tally
 

In the past cap tallys decorated with flags were often manufactured for sale as souvenirs at a ship's launching. Or they were used to decorate the cap on children's sailor suits. Such tallys were mainly produced in the late-Victorian/Edwardian period.

The last HMS Tiger in the Royal Navy (a cruiser) was launched in 1945 - which would make it too late for the manufacture of such special tally's. The previous HMS Tiger (a battlecruiser) was launched in 1913 and could therefore be a contender.

The best way to date a tally is to look at the way the letters are woven on the back. So any chance of a look at the back please?

Pete

Here we go, hopefully this should give an idea about the rear of the tally.

PL

Thanks for the images of the rear of the tally.

It certainly isn't produced to the same standard as ones produced for the Royal Navy. I would say that this is a tally produced as a cheap souvenir for the launch of the battlecruiser HMS Tiger in 1913. Large crowds turned out for these launchings and they were often public holidays in the dockyard towns.

It's a shame it has been cut but it's still a nice piece of history.

Pete