WW1 Other Ranks Cap

[thedawnpatrol]

Just acquired this cap and would apreachate your opinion as to its period.

cheers

[FROGSMILE]

The green underside to the peak (US ‘visor’) is a good sign.  Officers tended to have their caps provided by a diverse range of hatters via their gentlemens outfitters (i.e. sub contracted) and so each wanted their own unique selling point, which led to great variation.  Quilting on the inside was a sign of high end.  More practical lacquered insides gave a waterproofing effect that mirrored that provided for the soldier’s issue caps.  I enclose examples of both an officers quilted and an other ranks issue with lacquer.

Edited 30 November , 2021 by FROGSMILE

[Ypres1915]

38 minutes ago, thedawnpatrol said:

Just acquired this cap and would apreachate your opinion as to its period.

cheers

Sorry to say ... in my opinion it is a post WWI hat. The peak is the wrong shape, chinstrap is too wide, and the WD marking is not correct for a wartime hat.

 

Ypres1915

 

[FROGSMILE]

31 minutes ago, Ypres1915 said:

Sorry to say ... in my opinion it is a post WWI hat. The peak is the wrong shape, chinstrap is too wide, and the WD marking is not correct for a wartime hat.

 

Ypres1915

 

I totally agree that the peak shape is wrong for the 1905 other ranks pattern cap.  Here are the rest of the images for the cap with black lacquered insides.  The 05 cap had a very neat little peak.  Smart on parade, but criticised post war for not shading sufficiently from the sun.  

Edited 30 November , 2021 by FROGSMILE

[FROGSMILE]

And here, the 1922, new specification, intended to address the criticisms.

Edited 30 November , 2021 by FROGSMILE

[Andrew Upton]

2 hours ago, Ypres1915 said:

Sorry to say ... in my opinion it is a post WWI hat. The peak is the wrong shape, chinstrap is too wide, and the WD marking is not correct for a wartime hat.

 

Ypres1915

 

I agree - post war pattern as introduced in 1921.

[FROGSMILE]

7 hours ago, Andrew Upton said:

I agree - post war pattern as introduced in 1921.

I’m not going to split hairs with you over a year Andrew.  The NS cap’s been covered lots of times over the years and Taff Gillingham’s excellent research gave the precise details of the cap’s introduction just as you quote.  The 1922 date relates to its wide ranging issue across the garrisons of the world as part of a wholesale change involving more closely cut service dress, the introduction of collar badges, and sergeants wearing their red sashes with drab khaki wool uniform for the first time.  It was also the year of large reductions in the size of the Army, and so the whole period (1922-24) marked a gear change of which the clothing developments were just a small part.  

Edited 30 November , 2021 by FROGSMILE

[thedawnpatrol]

thank you all, that's very informative.

[Jerry B]

it is dated 1940 by the Q over wd arrow

[FROGSMILE]

15 minutes ago, Jerry B said:

it is dated 1940 by the Q over wd arrow

Thanks Jerry, by that stage of the war worn just by SNCOs in certain appointments then.  For more junior ranks the drab khaki, field service cap was the regulation headdress.

Edited 30 November , 2021 by FROGSMILE