What period is this SAS beret insignia??

[tormar9496]

Guys, I am thinking that this is a late WW2 SAS beret insignia correct? I believe that the beret itself is post war 1950s or maybe 60s. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Grant

[tormar9496]

Stampings.

[airtrooper]

I'd go for late war going by the stitch half way up the sword !

[HamandJam]

Hi Grant,

Hard to say as the 1944 pattern did not change much. I could be wrong of course but by the look and feel its age is consummerate with the beret. Cheerio, JB

Originally Posted by tormar9496

Guys, I am thinking that this is a late WW2 SAS beret insignia correct? I believe that the beret itself is post war 1950s or maybe 60s. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Grant

[HamandJam]

This is a ww2 example.

Cheers JB

[Jack8]

Originally Posted by tormar9496

Guys, I am thinking that this is a late WW2 SAS beret insignia correct? I believe that the beret itself is post war 1950s or maybe 60s. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Grant

Even though the badge is a 1944 pattern I believe your beret is mid to late sixties. The lining colour is the same as my 1968 beret which also has a 1944 pattern badge.

Jack

[Colin S]

I don't know about the badge but the beret seems to be post war as it appears to have the stitching for the pocket for a badge slider.

[tormar9496]

Everyone, thank you for all of the responses. I apologize as I am still trying to learn about SAS items. So, it seems like I do have a original 44 pattern badge applied to a post war beret, which I thought was the case. The beret has that "salty" worn look to it, which I prefer over mint unissued examples.
Colin, yes, it has a leather piece stitched to the inside of where the badge is placed on the outside.
So, the WW2 examples did not have the leather pieces sewn to the inside correct? What about the stampings? Can anyone make out who the maker is? Regards Grant

[tormar9496]

Jack and JB, were there stockpiles of 44 pattern badges left over from the war which were used many years later on into the 60s?

[Jack8]

Originally Posted by tormar9496

Everyone, thank you for all of the responses. I apologize as I am still trying to learn about SAS items. So, it seems like I do have a original 44 pattern badge applied to a post war beret, which I thought was the case. The beret has that "salty" worn look to it, which I prefer over mint unissued examples.
Colin, yes, it has a leather piece stitched to the inside of where the badge is placed on the outside.
So, the WW2 examples did not have the leather pieces sewn to the inside correct? What about the stampings? Can anyone make out who the maker is? Regards Grant

Mine is a 1968 dated beret with same colour lining by Compton Webb.

Jack

[Jack8]

Originally Posted by tormar9496

Jack and JB, were there stockpiles of 44 pattern badges left over from the war which were used many years later on into the 60s?

Quite likely there were badges left over from the War that were later used but also badges could have been produced to the same pattern post war.

Jack

[HamandJam]

I agree with Jack,

The same applies to 1944 wings although these also were produced post war with minor differences.

There are various categories of 1944 beret badges, ones that are sure ww2, ones that are may be and sure not. You need to have handled quite a few it is overall look and feel, backing etc I also noted quite a few ww2 ones feathers turn greenish may be it was quality paint, but you also could have a mint example. Provenance is the best of course.

Your example is may be categorised but I tend more in post war direction based on look and feel.


Cheerio
JB

Originally Posted by Jack8

Quite likely there were badges left over from the War that were later used but also badges could have been produced to the same pattern post war.

Jack

[fougasse1940]

Originally Posted by tormar9496

What about the stampings? Can anyone make out who the maker is? Regards Grant

Try to dampen the inside with water to reveal the original print.

Rgds, Thomas.

[tormar9496]

Jack and JD, thank you for your thoughts, very informative. Are there any good reference books on SAS insignias you guys suggest to purchase? I would be interested in books that show good original wartime examples. I have collected SS cloth for years and there are numerous books out there that are littered with fakes.
Thomas, thanks for the suggestion, I will have to give that a try.

[airtrooper]

Try this book Grant.
https://www.airborneshop.com/british...iver-lock-book