1905 Service Dress Cap
 

Hi all

I found this cap for sale on eBay, supposedly a 1916 issue, with oilskin marked with name, broad arrow and 1916 (which i can't make out from the pics) but I have a few concerns;

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WW-1-Serv...p/263952612941


1) Shouldn't the peak be smaller for a wartime issue? I thought the larger peaks were post 1921?

2) The lack of ventilation "eyeholes" on either side over the ears.

Any thoughts?
Any input much appreciated!

Cheers

Colin

Not something I know a lot about, but it has WWII era plastic buttons.
It does have eyelets, it's just possible to make one out on the left side in image 5.
I haven't got a list to hand to check the years for the "L" code.

Well spotted on the eylelet - I missed that!
I know the brass buttons were replaced with leather at some point during the war, but plastic is not a good sign, methinks.

A quick search on forum shows "L" for 1945, 1946 and 1953.

https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...ighlight=Codes

Thanks, Leigh

Colin

Looks wwii or later and L confims that, as do the buttons and the peak size and the wide chinstrap.

I I dont know off hand when collett started manufacture, but it looks later.

It is possible that the number 1916 is the Clothing Catalogue number.

Marc

L was used in WWI to indicate issue from the London Depot.

A shame the seller could not take a good photo of the markings. At the very least it has had later buttons and chinstrap added to it. I still think it is probably a later cap from the above and the peak.

Does the colour etc of the liner, black, tan etc have any bearing on the date of manufacture?

My two penny worth is that this is definitively not WW1 period . I would go with 1945 or 46 based on the plastic buttons.

"1916" a conveniently "rubbed" 1946?

Thanks for all of your input!
Much appreciated, and it confirms a lot of my initial thoughts.
I know very little about the actual caps worn during WW1, and though I would sorely like a good example in my collection, I think I need to do some more research!

Cheers guys!

Colin

Colin, original pre WW1 1905 pattern caps are hard to find that being said I have had three off eBay all mis identified and consequently cheap. Keep looking one will turn up!

Regards

Mark

Thanks, Mark!

I'll just have to keep my eyes peeled!

Cheers
Colin