Royal Tank Regiment Officer's Dress Beret.

[leigh kitchen]

The RTR officer's "astrakhan"dress beret.
Introduced during the 1960's?
It was officially discarded for wear during 1978 although it appears that it's wear was unofficially "avoided" prior to that.
From what I read it was an item that appears to have been very unpopular and an object of ridicule even amongst those who had to wear it.

It bore nicknames that can't be repeated on this forum and are too offensive for me to even hint at.
I don't have strong views for or against it - I never had to wear one.

I bought what there is of this one because even though I had to pay postage from America and taxes it was the only way I'd get one at a price I could afford to pay.

It lacks the bullion badge and part of the lining, I'm still looking for a badge although the end result won't be genuine as adding stitching to put the badge on it "fakes it up" to me. As and when I get a badge I'll use a couple of dress pins to hold it in place.

Anyway I was pleased to get this beret, sorry looking though this particular example is.