Tripolitania Slouch Hat

[Westernhighlander]

I picked this up a while back in an auction of police headgear
- it has a sliver tripolitania badge with red and black felt backing
- liner with name, date and country of manufacturer ( Harritz Hat Maker, South Africa, 1942
- faded blue pagri (? Gendarme)
- name of owner(?) Rimmer(?)

[Westernhighlander]

Additional pic

[Westernhighlander]

Another pic

[Westernhighlander]

Other pic of liner

[Westernhighlander]

I wonder if the felt black diamond backing the tripolitania badge may indicate the unit that this soldier came from prior to serving or as part of their occupational duties - if so would that suggest KAR?

[zob]

Originally Posted by Westernhighlander

I wonder if the felt black diamond backing the tripolitania badge may indicate the unit that this soldier came from prior to serving or as part of their occupational duties - if so would that suggest KAR?

Hi,

Although the various K.A.R. battalions wore a black “Diamond”, my records show the Tripolitania Police cap badge being worn on a “Square” flash. This makes me wonder that as the one on your bush hat seems to protrude over the edge of the brim, if it has not in fact been put back perhaps the wrong way round at some point during its history?

Regards,

Zob.

[Westernhighlander]

Originally Posted by zob

Hi,

Although the various K.A.R. battalions wore a black “Diamond”, my records show the Tripolitania Police cap badge being worn on a “Square” flash. This makes me wonder that as the one on your bush hat seems to protrude over the edge of the brim, if it has not in fact been put back perhaps the wrong way round at some point during its history?

Regards,

Zob.

Hello Zob,
Thanks for your reply, does your reference describe the color, size, etc of the flash worn by the Tripolitania police? This one is not sewn onto the hat, but held in place by the slider of the badge. It has been there for some time as the area of the hat covered by it is not sun damaged or faded.

Mike

[zob]

Hi,

Unfortunately, I’m away from my notes at the moment but I have a strong suspicion that the dimensions or colour are not mentioned. However, there is nothing to say that the flash wasn’t worn in a dissimilar fashion by different divisions.
I’m not sure if this link works, but if it does it should show a picture of the flash and badge being worn:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1951-Press...EAAOSwwbdWIeao
Regards,
Zob.

[badgecollector]

hi mike
lovely item
bc