SAS OFFICERS BERET
 

Got this in with several KAR berets and peak caps but would like to know what period it is and would it have been worn by a Rhodesian SAS member as its all been found here in South Africa?

Possibly. If it is it would probably be very early say the early to mid 60's.

beret
 

hi,

Can you read the orange label?

It looks like the original Herbert Johnson beret, worn from late fifties when the SAS changed from maroon to sand coloured beret (1957).

The bullion beret badges started to appear early sixties.

cheers,

Johan

the maker is HERBERT JOHNSON correct so I know its a British SAS beret but is the badge a british one or Rhodesian or are they the same?

No they're not the same. Cloth badges were worn by the RhSAS in the early 60's then they changed to the metal type. Then they reverted back to cloth in the 70's. However some SAS were still wearing anodised badges in the mid 70's.

RhSAS berets were a mixture made in the UK, SA and Botswana that I know of. Later berets would have been Botswana made the same as the Selous Scouts berets.

SO this beret and badge is all British only?

I don't think the badge is RhSAS but others may disagree.

beret
 

This particular beret and from those early days: yes, definitely British, not Rhodesian.

Cheers,

Johan

SAS beret
 

I would agree, from what I have seen in preparing my book as attached, with Johan 100%

A nice beret, Seems Herbert Johnson were the main makers of SAS berets into the late 1960's or 1970's?