SAS beret & badge - which period?

[ravrick]

Hi,
I just picked up this beret which I believe is original issue, possibly from the 70's or 80's and would appreciate any comments or ideas to narrow the period and on it's originality.

It has several moth nips over the cloth...but otherwise looks ok

Cheers,
Rick

[leigh kitchen]

The beret was manufactured around 1979-85 or thereabouts, I'm afraid I have no knowledge re. authenticity of the badge.

[JerryBB]

As Leigh stated, the beret is fine, I have a SAS beret with a very similar badge -with the same flaw in the upper wings - which might or might not be original, but does seem to have been on the beret a long time. I also have seen an example of the same badge being sold as an original by a seller who was selling a lot of original SAS items recently.

[ravrick]

Thanks Guys,
I picked it up in a vintage clothing shop for a tenner... thought it a good buy? I joined the army in 1979 and still have my dark blue beret made by the same company so that made me think 70/80's..
cheers,
Rick

[leigh kitchen]

This article is useful for dating "undated" items of kit although it's not definitive.

http://hmvf.co.uk/topic/31684-using-...and-equipment/

[leigh kitchen]

Originally Posted by ravrick

Thanks Guys,
I picked it up in a vintage clothing shop for a tenner... thought it a good buy? I joined the army in 1979 and still have my dark blue beret made by the same company so that made me think 70/80's..
cheers,
Rick

Somewhere on the web (possibly on the Great War Forum?) is a thread with a lot of info on Compton & Webb under its various names provided by a member of the Compton family which is again involved with company