7 5/8 1940s British cap - ending today!

[Baron Kurtz]

This is a rare beauty! Marked UK 7 1/2 = US 7 5/8. A big one!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/280960018766?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

 

[Baron Kurtz]

dated, too. 1942. Very rare to get an exact date on these.

 

[Ben Stephens]

I have been watching that. Lovely cap. Interestingly, the label looks very military, Ie date and Broadarrow?

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Yes, I'd noted that. Quite odd. WD issue civvies? To go along with the Suit, Airman's, Travelling or something similar?

 

[Ben Stephens]

I dont think they had those suits that early. ROF items had the broad arrow, but why a checked cap?

 

[Baron Kurtz]

No, I didn't think so earlier.

A strange thing to have WD stamp. The size stamp is very military gear like, too.

 

[Two Types]

The War Department markings are most odd. My first thought was civilian clothing produced for military personnel moving through neutral countries, such as soldiers who escaped from France in 1940 and made their way to French North Africa. Or who managed to reach British embassies/consulates in Spain but who needed civilian clothing in order to reach Gibraltar, ready to be shipped home. It might have been produced for consulates/embassies to give to them. Or for issue to 'distressed merchant seamen' after they had been rescued.

Were 'Suit, Airman's, Travelling' the half-lined grey suits that were issued in the 1950s? (I think 'Old Hat' had a whole pile of them at some time?)

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Yes, those suits. Grey flannel.

 

[Ben Stephens]

They were a military cap manufacturer.

http://www.treasurebunker.com/acatalog/info_519.html

They also made GS caps etc.

 

[herringbonekid]

(I think 'Old Hat' had a whole pile of them at some time?)

and Blackout II.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Yes indeed. I think blackout's still got one, actually. Horrid shop, I try not to go in so I haven't looked in a while.

 

[Two Types]

The last time I was in Blackout I was in the (rather overcrowded) basement, fighting my way through to see if there was anything worth buying, when the power failed. I was stuck in complete darkness - there wasn't even any light coming from upstairs. I stumbled around until i finally managed to locate the stairs. They said it was a regular occurence. It rather put me off the shop.