We had lots of fun with these in basic training, personally I like the really tall head version. Our training NCO's went crazy at us. Never wore them after that.
Was issued one of these in 1981, nobody knew how to wear it,even training staff.We all had different ways.Uniformity went out of the window,so nobody was allowed to wear it.Typical Army, issued a CAP that needed a training session to wear it.Had to pay for it when I left,cos it was long gone.What do you do with them I asked if someone has it when leaving,oh we throw it in bin, well pretend then.Typical stores git,No your paying.
I've got an original, unissued and dated 1946, but it's so elasticated, it's difficult to wear, as it rides up over your skull and makes your ears stick out like a pixie.
It wouldn't function well, as shown in the video, if it were not a tube sewn closed at both ends. In a modern context you can buy open tubes to be worn in various ways, around the neck, as bandanas, etc. They can be twisted in the middle and doubled over in order to serve as a hat but that wouldn't work well with this knitted wool material.
They were still being issued in the 1980’s. There was a synthetic version that was open at both ends available for private purchase. It was called a ‘headover’ and could be worn like this or pulled down around the neck etc. It was thicker material than the modern ‘buff’ so couldn’t be twisted round as explained above.
Simon - Thanks for this, really helpful, as I plan to re-enact No.4 Commando in Normandy, when the all the shows start again.
Thanks again!
I used to do this method( when i re enacted). It to my mind looks better than the pointy end version.
1977, when I joined the Army we got issued one of these.
We had lots of fun with these in basic training, personally I like the really tall head version. Our training NCO's went crazy at us. Never wore them after that.
This version/style works well with the Issue Headover too.
Was issued one of these in 1981, nobody knew how to wear it,even training staff.We all had different ways.Uniformity went out of the window,so nobody was allowed to wear it.Typical Army, issued a CAP that needed a training session to wear it.Had to pay for it when I left,cos it was long gone.What do you do with them I asked if someone has it when leaving,oh we throw it in bin, well pretend then.Typical stores git,No your paying.
The corners poking out 'IS' Commando.
I've got an original, unissued and dated 1946, but it's so elasticated, it's difficult to wear, as it rides up over your skull and makes your ears stick out like a pixie.
What years was this issued? Was it issued during the great war? Love these videos by the way.
Do you know where we can still purchase wool cap comforters ?
I wear mine at work pretty often, always in this particular style. Never around my neck, it ends up falling off.
is easy to find a cap like this Rifleman Moore if you can?
I was issued with one of these in 1964 but never discovered the "neat" way to fold it.
Era soldier chic.
What is the history of its design? Why is it sewn up and not a tube? Why both ends?
It wouldn't function well, as shown in the video, if it were not a tube sewn closed at both ends. In a modern context you can buy open tubes to be worn in various ways, around the neck, as bandanas, etc. They can be twisted in the middle and doubled over in order to serve as a hat but that wouldn't work well with this knitted wool material.
They were still being issued in the 1980’s.
There was a synthetic version that was open at both ends available for private purchase. It was called a ‘headover’ and could be worn like this or pulled down around the neck etc. It was thicker material than the modern ‘buff’ so couldn’t be twisted round as explained above.
Demonstrate open ended