SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE OFF n°1 dress cap

[monfort1]

Hi

This cap is for sale

For me, its looks very good

Its is probably a pre-war confection.

No maker's mark.

Would you confirm or infirm my positive opinion on it, please?

[fougasse1940]

Don't know about the cap but the Holland cloth badge backing was introduced in December of 1935, and the Queen's crown badge introduced late 1955.

Rgds, Thomas

[monfort1]

Thank you Thomas

Any other comment on this cap and its genuiness ?

[monfort1]

Any comment on the cap badge?

[Frank Kelley]

The badge shown in the original post appears to actually have a Tudor crown.

Originally Posted by fougasse1940

Don't know about the cap but the Holland cloth badge backing was introduced in December of 1935, and the Queen's crown badge introduced late 1955.

Rgds, Thomas

[fougasse1940]

The badge was worn from 1902 to 1955 but from 1902 to 1935 without the Holland cloth backing.
Correction, Queen's Crown badges were introduced in October 1955.

Rgds, Thomas

[monfort1]

Originally Posted by fougasse1940

The badge was worn from 1902 to 1955 but from 1902 to 1935 without the Holland cloth backing.
Correction, Queen's Crown badges were introduced in October 1955.

Rgds, Thomas

Thank you all

So this combination is right for a cap worn from 1935 to 1955 ?

[Rob Miller]

What buttons are they on the chin strap?

Rob

[monfort1]

Hi

Butons: See picture

[monty]

Hi.Just looking at your pictures both the cap & badge look original IMO.I suspect the badge has been added to the cap in more recent times.The badge looks like a circa late 1940s silvered example.Just my take on what I see hope this is of help to you kind regards Gary

[monfort1]

Originally Posted by monty

Hi.Just looking at your pictures both the cap & badge look original IMO.I suspect the badge has been added to the cap in more recent times.The badge looks like a circa late 1940s silvered example.Just my take on what I see hope this is of help to you kind regards Gary

Hi Gary

Thank you for your analysis

[fougasse1940]

About the Holland cloth backing, this from the book The Staffords by Rosignoli and Whitehouse: 'Initially the backing was oval in shape and protruded well over the sides of the knot of the cap and collar badges but later became smaller and smaller and was eventually reduced to cover only the three open spaces inside the knot. It appears that the 2nd South Staffords usually favoured a smaller backing to their badges, possibly because the distinction honoured chiefly the 1st Battalion, the former 38th. However, no strict rules applied to the wearing of the brown Holland backing: there were small and larger ones and the patch was made out of a variety of material.'

Rgds, Thomas

[fougasse1940]

Originally Posted by monfort1

Thank you all

So this combination is right for a cap worn from 1935 to 1955 ?

Correct. You seem to have a lovely original South Staffordshire Regiment Field Officers cap.

Rgds, Thomas

[KLR]

I get the impression that "frosted" silver / gilt" was a post war development for officers' badges. But it would fit into a time frame of c 1949 to ????.
Somewhere I have a database of infantry badges (which I used as comparanda for my own KLR project) - I'll try and find the KC - QC transition (though 1955 soiunds about right)
but yes - as others note, a very nice item!

[fougasse1940]

What would have been used before frosted silver and gilt?

What are the badge's fasteners, long lugs tend to be later than folding blades. Are there perhaps a silver hallmark and/or maker mark on the back of the badge?

Rgds, Thomas