General service cap or Tam o'shanter

[Trubia26]

Hello! Is there any way to differentiate a Gs cap from a TOS that lost the toorie?..It seems really similar to me!

[leigh kitchen]

Im having a senior moment but think the GS cap lacks the Tam o'Shanter's two metal eyelets at the back of the headband.

[Trubia26]

You mean these two eyelets for the laces?
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[leigh kitchen]

Yes, I think the GS Cap lacks those eyelets, just can't remember or get to the GS Caps I have at the moment.

[Trubia26]

Ok, Thank you for your help!!!

[leigh kitchen]

A GS Cap with ventilation eyelets fitted at the back of the cap above the headband, and a Tam o'Shanter with eyelets (which the bow laces through) fitted to the headband.

[Trubia26]

Yes...It is clear to me now...thanks again!

[JerryBB]

the tam I own has a cloth band fitted rather than the eyelets

[leigh kitchen]

I have a postwar Tam with cloth band and no eyelets, just the bow arrangement as you show
A WWII one I have is as per Truba's, with eyelets on the band which isn't sewn as a continuous band but "split".
The Tam I show which is WWII, REME, 51st Division has a continuous band.
Am I right in suspecting that Tams may have a deeper headband than the GS Caps?

[JerryBB]

Originally Posted by leigh kitchen

I have a postwar Tam with cloth band and no eyelets, just the bow arrangement as you show
A WWII one I have is as per Truba's, with eyelets on the band which isn't sewn as a continuous band but "split".
The Tam I show which is WWII, REME, 51st Division has a continuous band.
Am I right in suspecting that Tams may have a deeper headband than the GS Caps?

there is some difference in the construction that escapes me that tells them apart, but I cant remember what it is, I vaguely think it was the dome was originally one piece on a tam like a beret, but in sections on the gs

[Trubia26]

That info difficoult the question! Let me show you a comparision between my Gs cap and a Tam o'shanter...
Mine
IMG_20211102_211717.jpg

IMG_20211102_211726.jpg

Tam o'shanter
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Both with similar shape, interior construction, markings (even with remarked size ) year, vent holes...just identical!...the only difference...the toorie and the cloth band fitted

[cbuehler]

Indeed, the only thing that seems to be different on the Tam from some GS is the toorie on top and the bow on the back of the headband.

CB

[leigh kitchen]

A 1943 dated (Canadian manufacture) Tam and a post war RHF one.

[wardog]

I think I remember that older TOS had 4 eyelets to the rear. Regards, Paul.
Found an example-
http://antiqueoutings.com/ww2-tam-o-...-balmoral-cap/
The one shown in post 2 would have had 2 either side of rear split I should think.

[leigh kitchen]

I think that some GS Caps were worn as Tams simply by attaching a tourie which any squaddie could make using a bit of cardboard and the contents of his hussif.
The 51st Div REME Tam I show is I feel undoubtedly as worn during WWII by the man whose name is in it, and may well simply be a GS Cap with tourie added.