Headgear
Updated 1 August 2008
All original issue items, unless noted. Over
the past 29 years I have been buying uniforms and kit directly from special
forces soldiers, mainly ex-Rhodesians and South African Recces. In many cases I
have bought duplicate items and am now getting rid of some of them in order to
trade or buy new items.
The reference numbers
after the item descriptions refer to the Reference Books on the title page of
the website. Information and photos of many of the South African headgear can
be found at Roans Collectors Site, a most useful identification guide, at http://roangouws.tripod.com/index.htm
Austria
- Police cap, grey with red piping, gold
cap strap buttons and cord, gilt metal cap badge over red backing, small
gilt metal grenade over red backing in the left hand side of cap, and gold
bullion wire cockade above with red and white enameled roundel in the
middle, size 59, made by LITTO KAPPE WIEN VIII LANGE GASSE 13, name
written inside, VGC. $ 45.00
Belgium
- Dispatch rider/motorcyclist helmet, WWII, army green, leather
covered, with metal Lion head badge mounted on the front, on the left hand
side is a large emblem embossed onto the leather, difficult to make out
but has a 3 on top of what looks like a winged wheel or an eagle sitting
on top of a wheel within a shield, stamped inside with A.B.L. (Armee Belge
Leger) and 54, and has a LE LEVIOR label sewn inside, leather extended
liner to cover ears, chin strap with strap and buckle and three
press-studs, scarce, VGC. See Army Uniforms of World War 2 by A.Mollo and
M.McGregor, illustration number 34. Levior has been making helmets since 1904
and confirmed these helmets were made between 1935 and 1940. $ 475.00
- M1915 Adrian helmet with the Lion head badge fixed to the front, as
supplied during WWI to the 3 Corps of the Royal Belgian army by France,
rare helmet, leather liner intact, no drawstring, replacement chin strap,
minor surface rust, otherwise VGC. $ 375.00
Canada
- Logistics Regiment dark green beret with
embroidered beret badge, worn by the Parachute Maintenance Depot, size 6
3/4, liner removed, otherwise VGC. Similar to CAI CB55. $ 10.00
- Logistics Regiment dark green beret with
gilt metal and enamel beret badge, worn by the Parachute Maintenance
Depot, size 6 3/4 January 1991, near mint. CAI CB55. $ 15.00
- Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry
green beret with bi-metal Q/C beret badge, 1973, size 7 1/2, VGC. $ 20.00
Czechoslovakia
1. Czech Republic
National Counter-Terrorist Unit maroon beret with their cloth paratrooper beret
badge sewn on, size 56, no label inside, near mint. $ 35.00
Denmark
- Army side cap, size 59, 1969, mint. $ 10.00
- Army side cap, size 59, mint. $ 10.00
England
- 29th Commando Artillery green beret with blackened
anodised metal beret badge, worn by Major Smith, name tape sewn inside,
VGC. $ 35.00
- 29th Commando Artillery green beret with gold bullion wire
beret badge, worn by Major Smith, size 57, Compton Webb, large moth hole
to left of badge and another smaller one on the side, otherwise good. $
35.00
- Army camo bush hat, with two brass air vents on each side, orange
material air recognition panel sewn inside, parachute cord chin strap,
name written on label, size 55, VGC. $ 10.00
- Athol bonnet, black with red, white and black diced band, red toori
and black silk ribbons, no badge, lots of mothing, appears to be quite
old. $ 5.00
- Commando doctors green beret with gilt and silver metal Royal Navy
beret badge, Q/C, liner removed, otherwise VGC. $ 50.00
France
- Colonial Paratrooper maroon beret with
beret badge, bimetal winged arm holding a dagger over an anchor, size 57,
1979, made by Z.BEIGHAU OLORON, near mint. $ 30.00
Israel
- Black Training Command female beret,
badge removed, 1986, VGC. $ 15.00
- Light Green female beret, mint. $ 20.00
- Paratrooper maroon female beret, bit
dusty, otherwise mint. $ 20.00
- Red beret with bronze Infantry beret badge,
size 59, bit moth eaten otherwise VGC. $ 25.00
- Red beret, size 58, mint in plastic bag.
$ 20.00
Italy
- Camo base ball type cap, size 56cm, no label inside, three small
holes and a bit dirty, otherwise VGC. $ 20.00
New Zealand
- New Zealand/United Nations blue beret with enamel and gold metal
badge, beret made by Hills Hats in New Zealand, size 7 1/8, near mint. $
40.00
Rhodesia
Many berets are found with the material or
plastic liner removed. This was done because it tended to make the soldiers
perspire a lot under the beret and to help shape the beret. Some soldiers have
told me that as they were issued with the berets their instructors told them to
cut out the liner because it trapped heat inside the beret.
- B.S.A.Police service dress cap, light brown with dark blue cap
band, leather strap with two gilt metal cap strap buttons and gilt metal
cap badge, lots of small moth holes around edge and under peak, liner
plastic broken, good. $ 45.00
- Rhodesian/South African Army helmet, steel with inner plastic training
helmet, some minor dents, good. MAW1 C2. $ 25.00
Russia
1.
Air Force officers service cap, khaki cloth and light blue wool band and
piping, with gilt metal wreath and red enamelled star in the middle and gilt
metal air force star over wings badge above, gilt metal star buttons and gold
cords, size 57, leather manufacturers label sewn inside, VGC. $ 55.00
- Navy other ranks round cap, removable white cover, red enameled
star in middle of gilt anodized metal wreath, black ribbon at the back of
cap with gold anchor on it, edge worn through in places, good. $ 25.00
South Africa
S.A.
Air Force
- Beret, blue, with gilt metal cap badge (CO 1490), size 54, worn
with work dress, mainly by technical staff, obsolete, scarce, 1970, couple
of dirty marks and name written inside on label, otherwise VGC. $ 15.00
- Beret, blue, with gilt metal cap badge (CO 1490), size 56, worn
with work dress, mainly by technical staff, obsolete, scarce, 1968,
plastic liner perished, otherwise VGC. $ 15.00
- Beret, blue, with gilt metal cap badge (CO 1490), size 56, worn
with work dress, mainly by technical staff, obsolete, scarce, 1969,
plastic liner removed, otherwise VGC. $ 15.00
- Beret, blue, with gilt metal cap badge (CO 1490), size 57, worn
with work dress, mainly by technical staff, obsolete, scarce, VGC. $ 15.00
- Bullion wire embroidered Protea flower and wreath cut off peak of
officers cap, can be mounted with SAAF collection, VGC. $ 5.00
6.
Cap band,
black with three horizontal air force blue stripes, worn by recruits undergoing
basic training on the peaked cap at the Air Force Gymnasium from 1953, the year
after it was formed, until late 1960s, scarce, little faded, otherwise VGC. $
20.00
7. Dress Uniform cap, with brass eagle badge, obsolete, size 55, bit dirty,
otherwise VGC. $ 20.00
8. Garrison/Side cap, brass badge, leather liner, VGC. (9 in stock) $ 10.00
each
S.A. Army Caps and Berets
- 1 S.A. Infantry green beret with obsolete metal 1 SAI badge (CO
2425) on red plastic backing and green/yellow/black metal beret flash,
1983, VGC. $ 50.00
- 32 Battalion baseball type black cap with the their badge in silver
lurex wire on the front, one size fits all, Velcro adjustable, VGC. $
65.00
- 32 Battalion camo bush hat, round boonie type, Winter pattern, size
51cm/20 inch, mint. $ 45.00
- 32 Battalion camo beret, size 49cm, has never had a badge mounted,
mint. $ 85.00
- 32 Battalion camo beret, size 61cm, has never had a badge mounted,
mint. $ 95.00
- 32 Battalion camo beret, size 51cm, has 32 Bn officers name written
inside and his name tape sewn inside, used, near mint. $ 95.00
- 44 Parachute Brigade maroon baseball cap, one size fits all, mint.
$ 40.00
- 5 S.A. Infantry green beret with obsolete cloth 5 SAI badge (DW1
pg.13 #11) and green/yellow/black metal beret flash, 1982/83, scarce, VGC.
$ 55.00
- Army Dress Uniform peak cap brown leather chin strap, VGC. $ 5.00
- Army Dress Uniform peak cap, with brown leather chin strap and
South African springbuck General Service buttons, 1960s-70s, SAPHI made,
size 58, no badge mounted but holes where a badge was previously worn,
VGC. $ 25.00
- Army peak cap with neck flap, worn in the 1960s, large air vents on
each side and brass Springbuck buttons, peak slightly damaged, scarce cap,
size 6 3/4, good. $ 15.00
- Army Service Corps officers peak Dress
Uniform cap with chromed metal and enamel cap badge (CO 1060), interesting
in that it has two bronze UK general service coat of arms buttons, must
have been imported by the army from the UK, leather head band has some
sweat marks, otherwise near mint. $ 35.00
- Beige beret, used by Signals, 1968, size 53, no badge ever fitted,
mint. $ 15.00
- Beige beret, used by Signals, 1987/88, size 57, no badge ever
fitted, mint. $ 10.00
- Beige beret, used by Signals, 1987/88, size 58, badges removed,
VGC. $ 5.00
- Beige beret, used by Signals, liner and badges removed, size 58,
good. $ 5.00
- Beige beret, used by Signals, size 57, no badge ever fitted, some
mothing, good. $ 5.00
- Black beret, used by Armoured Cars/Tank Corps/Intelligence Corps,
1972/73, badge removed, about size 56, VGC. $ 10.00
- Black beret, used by Armoured Cars/Tank Corps/Intelligence Corps,
1973/74, badge removed, about size 56, VGC. $ 10.00
- Black beret, used by Armoured Cars/Tank Corps/Intelligence Corps, 1983,
no badge ever fitted, size 58, near mint. $ 15.00
- Black beret, used by Armoured Cars/Tank Corps/Intelligence Corps,
1988/89, badge removed, size 57, near mint. $ 15.00
- Black beret, used by Armoured Cars/Tank Corps/Intelligence Corps,
size 57, never had a badge mounted, made without liners, mint. $ 10.00
- Blue beret, used by Army Service Corps and Ordinance Service Corps,
bit darker blue than later Service Corps berets, size 60, 1968, never had
a badge mounted, liners a bit dirty through age, otherwise mint. (3 in
stock) $ 10.00 each
- Cape Corps green Infantry beret with their badge (similar to CO
1321, but with KAAPSE KORPS and mounted over a red plastic backing), used,
VGC. $ 25.00
- Cape Corps grey beret with bi-metal badge
(CO 1338), 1976/77, size 56, beret bit dirty and plastic liner perished,
otherwise VGC. $ 25.00
- Cape Corps grey beret with bi-metal badge
(CO 1338), no label on liner, about size 56, beret bit dirty otherwise
good. $ 20.00
- Chaplains peak cap for Dress Uniform, brown, with gold wire Protea
and leaves on the peak, as worn by Colonel and Brigadier, purple cap band
and gold and silver bullion wire S.A. Defence Force Chaplains cap badge
(DW1 pg 43 # 18 with castle above, wings, anchor and crossed swords inside
castle), near mint. $ 55.00
- Combat dress/browns bush hat, size 55, 1988, mint. $ 30.00
- Combat dress/browns bush hat, size 56, label missing, otherwise
near mint. $ 30.00
- Combat dress/browns bush hat, size 57, 1989, mint. $ 30.00
- Combat dress/browns bush hat, size 57, label removed, VGC. $ 25.00
- Commandos navy blue beret with yellow flash and gilt metal beret
badge (CO 810), worn in the 1960s before they changed over to the green
beret, mint. (3 in stock) $ 25.00 each
- Dark blue beret, used by Artillery and Engineers, no badge, size 56,
1977/78, near mint condition. $ 10.00
- Dark blue beret, used by Artillery and Engineers, size 56, never
had a badge mounted, made without liners, mint. $ 10.00
- Dark blue beret, used by Artillery and Engineers, size 60, never
had a badge mounted, made without liners, mint. (3 in stock) $ 10.00 each
- Dark blue beret, used by Artillery and Engineers, used, no badge,
old, poor condition. $ 1.00
- Engineers dark blue beret with bi-metal 2
Field Engineer Regiment badge (CO 2421) and maroon/blue/maroon metal beret
flash, 1986/87, VGC. $ 30.00
- Engineers dark blue beret with bi-metal
Engineers badge (CO 1221) and red/blue/red metal beret flash, size 59,
1992, beret a bit dirty and slightly faded around the edge, and badges
have a bit of verdigris on them, otherwise VGC. $ 25.00
- Finance Corps light blue beret with chromed metal badge (CO 701)
and yellow/black/yellow beret flash, liner removed and a bit dusty,
otherwise VGC. $ 25.00
- Grey beret, Cape Corps, badge removed, 1977/78,
about size 58, beret bit faded otherwise good. $ 5.00
- Grey beret, Cape Corps, size 60, never had a badge mounted, made
without liners, mint. (5 in stock) $ 10.00 each
- Light blue beret, used by Army Service Corps and Ordinance Service
Corps, badges removed, size 60, 1994, bit dirty, otherwise VGC. $ 5.00
- Medical Corps/Services ladies peak cap,
brown leather cap strap, gilt metal cap strap buttons, SAPHI PRETORIA,
size 56, never had a badge fitted, mint. $ 30.00
- Orange-brown beret, used by Personnel
Service Corps, badge removed, 1977/78, bit faded and worn. $ 4.00
- Orange-brown beret, used by Personnel
Service Corps, badge removed, 1978/79, bit dirty and worn. $ 4.00
- Ordinance Service Corps light blue beret with metal and enamel
beret badge (CO 712) and blue/yellow/red metal beret flash, 1976/77, beret
faded in places otherwise good. $ 20.00
- Ordinance Service Corps light blue beret with metal and enamel
beret badge (CO 712) and blue/yellow/red metal beret flash, beret faded in
places and some verdigris on beret flash, otherwise good. $ 20.00
- Ordinance Service Corps light blue beret with white metal and
enamel badge (CO 712) and blue/white/red beret flash, size 56, 1984/85,
VGC. $ 15.00
- Ordinance Service Corps, attached to Signals, on old Signals Corps
beige beret, metal and enamel beret badge (CO 712) and blue/yellow/red
metal beret flash, 1984/85, beret bit dirty, otherwise VGC. $ 15.00
- Purple Chaplains beret with bullion wire Colonel/Brigadier beret
badge (CO C23) sewn on the front, liner removed, VGC. $ 45.00
- Recce/Special Forces maroon beret with badge removed, can see where
oval beret badge (CO C890) has been removed, about size 57, liner removed
and a little faded, otherwise VGC. $ 30.00
- Regiment North Transvaal green beret with badge (CO 971) over red
plastic backing, size 55, faded, good. $ 25.00
- Service dress cap, dark brown leather cap strap, UK general service
coat of arms buttons, South African general service Springbuck badge (CO
1457), made by Thomas Stone, lots of mothing, good. $ 25.00
- Signals beige beret with bi-metal badge (CO 1242) polished and
cracked, and green/light blue/dark blue metal beret flash, pins broken off
and glued to beret, beret bit dirty, otherwise good. $ 20.00
S.A. Army Helmets
1.
Paratrooper/Infantry Fritz style Kevlar helmet
with nutria brown cover, black vinyl and web lining, black leather chin cup,
label inside reads - Helmet No. 10-433, Size: Medium, Date: 1987, chin strap
plastic retainer broken, otherwise VGC. Similar to SASF plate A2. $ 75.00
2.
S.A./Rhodesian Army
Otan style steel helmet green net cover, for camouflage, 1970s, mint. $ 8.00
3.
S.A./Rhodesian Army
Otan style steel helmet khaki net cover, for camouflage, 1960s, mint. $ 10.00
4.
S.A./Rhodesian Army
Otan style steel helmet khaki net cover, with camouflage strips tied to it,
1960s, VGC. $ 10.00
5.
S.A./Rhodesian Army
Otan style steel helmet, with plastic inner training helmet, obsolete, 1960s to
70s, VGC. Contact pg.63. $ 25.00
6.
S.A./Rhodesian Army Otan
style steel helmet, with plastic inner training helmet and camo net, obsolete,
1960s to 70s, chin strap missing, otherwise VGC. Contact pg.63. $ 25.00
7.
S.A./Rhodesian Army
Otan style steel helmet, with plastic inner training helmet and mint camo net, obsolete,
1960s to 70s, VGC. Contact pg.63. $ 30.00
8.
S.A./Rhodesian Army
Otan style steel helmet, with plastic inner training helmet and camo net over
khaki coloured hessian covering, obsolete, 1960s to 70s, chin strap missing and
one liner retainer inside training helmet missing, otherwise VGC. Contact
pg.63. $ 25.00
9.
S.A./Rhodesian Army
Otan style steel helmet, with plastic inner training helmet and camo net,
obsolete, 1960s to 70s, chin strap missing and one liner retainer inside
training helmet missing, otherwise VGC. Contact pg.63. $ 25.00
10.
S.A./Rhodesian Army
Otan style steel helmet, with plastic inner training helmet, obsolete, 1960s to
70s, some minor dents, good. MAW1 C2. (2 in stock) $ 20.00
S.A. Navy
- S.A. Naval College baseball type navy blue cap with the ships badge
printed on the front in colour, one size fits all, adjustable, near mint.
$ 20.00
- S.A. Navy beret, black, medium, liner removed, VGC. $ 5.00
- S.A. Navy Cadet beret, black with chromed Cadet beret badge (CO
2968), VGC. $ 15.00
- S.A. Navy Officers black beret with bullion wire badge, worn but
VGC, badge toned from sea air, otherwise VGC. (2 in stock) $ 30.00 each
- S.A. Navy peak cap with red Petty Officers cloth badge, cap dated
1969, worn but VGC. $ 25.00
- S.A. Navy peak cap, Officers, with bullion wire badge, size 58,
1969, white plastic section dirty but can be cleaned, otherwise VGC. $
35.00
- S.A. Navy peak cap, Officers, with bullion wire badge, worn but
VGC, badge toned from sea air, otherwise VGC. (2 in stock) $ 30.00 each
- S.A. Navy peak cap, Seaman to Petty Officer, with bullion wire
badge, no label inside, used but VGC. $ 15.00
- S.A. Navy peak cap, Warrant Officers, with bullion wire badge, worn
but VGC, badge toned from sea air, otherwise VGC. $ 30.00
- S.A.S. Wingfield baseball type navy blue cap with the ships badge
printed on the front in colour, Large, Velcro adjustable, VGC. $ 15.00
S.A.
Police and Railway Police
- Blue baseball type cap, current gold cotton badge embroidered on
front, Medium, but adjustable, J.L.Normoyle, 1998, near mint. $ 25.00
- Blue baseball type cap, current gold cotton badge embroidered on
front, about a size 59, some white marks on the peak, otherwise VGC. $
20.00
- Blue
baseball type cap, obsolete gold cotton badge embroidered on front,
button-up neck flap and ear protection, size 57, Specifico, little dirty,
otherwise near mint. $ 30.00
- Blue baseball type cap, obsolete gold
cotton badge embroidered on front, button-up neck flap and ear protection,
ear protection sewn up inside pouch, easy to undo the sewing, about a size
56/57, bit faded, otherwise VGC. $ 20.00
- Blue baseball type cap, obsolete gold
cotton badge embroidered on front, button-up neck flap and ear protection,
ear protection sewn up inside pouch, easy to undo the sewing, about a size
57/58, VGC. $ 30.00
- Camo beret, no badge, with warm lining,
adjustable laces, 54cm, but can be made a bit larger, VGC. $ 35.00
- Dress Uniform peak cap with gilt cap
badge and cap strap buttons, name inside, bit dirty, otherwise VGC. $
35.00
- Dress Uniform peak cap with gilt cap
badge and cap strap buttons, size 56, near mint. $ 45.00
- Dress Uniform peak cap with Officers gilt
metal and enamel cap badge (CO 1916) and Majors gold bullion wire Aloe and
leaves on the peak, gilt metal cap strap buttons, size label missing, but
about a size 58 when I measure it, near mint. $ 65.00
- Hat, Female, dark blue with gilt metal
S.A. Police Service badge on the front, Medium, made by Kangol, mint. $
40.00
S.A.
Prisons/Correctional Service
- Bush hat, size 55, VGC. (2 in stock) $ 10.00 each
- Bush hat, size 56, bit faded, otherwise VGC. $ 10.00
S.A.
Cadets
1. Brown beret with chromed metal leaping Springbuck beret badge, VGC. $
10.00
2. Brown beret with chromed metal leaping Springbuck beret badge, sweat band
cracked, otherwise VGC. $ 8.00
S.A. Miscellaneous
- Fireman helmet, yellow, with large silver and red decal on the
front for WCRSC FIRE AND RESCUE, leather chin strap, helmet slightly
damaged on top ridge point, otherwise VGC. $ 40.00
South West Africa
- 101 Battalion beret, grey/green with metal rhino badge (CO 2685) and SWA Infantry beret
bar/flash, used, size 57, VGC. $ 85.00
- 101 Battalion beret, grey/green with metal rhino badge (CO 2685), used, size 57, VGC. $
75.00
- 101 Battalion side cap/garrison cap, nutria brown with black
edging, Reaction Force lion beret badge (CO 2667), about size 56, cap bit
faded, otherwise VGC. $ 85.00
- 911 Battalion side cap/garrison cap, nutria brown with black
edging, about a size 59, little dirty and badge (CO C900) scratched at the
top, otherwise VGC. $ 85.00
- S.W.A. Reaction Force beret, grey/green with metal lion badge (CO
2667), worn by a member of 101 Battalion, used, a bit faded and
liner removed, otherwise good. $ 85.00
- S.W.A. Reaction Force beret, grey/green with metal lion badge (CO 2667) and SWATF Infantry beret flash, worn by a
member of 101 Battalion, VGC. $ 95.00
- S.W.A. Reaction Force beret, grey/green, with lion beret badge (CO
2667), about size 53, nice early beret with leather sweat band, bit faded
and hole just above badge, otherwise good. $ 55.00
Sweden
1. Swedish helmet model M21-18 with raised 3 crown shield badge on front and
two 3 crown decals on sides, grey-green matt painted over blue-grey base paint,
liner complete with cushions, leather draw string and chin strap, very good
overall condition. $ 85.00
Switzerland
1. Swiss fireman helmet, 1920 to 1930s, black painted sheet metal with a
brass comb, Swiss cross badge in front and rim, green inside, brown leather
liner and chin strap, some wear to the black paint and a couple of minor dents,
otherwise in excellent condition for its age. $ 130.00
Unidentified
- Beret, lime green, with high reinforced section where the badge is
mounted on, bit faded and dusty, otherwise near mint. $ 2.00
- Beret, black, with leather diamond shape sewn to liner, no badge,
VGC. $ 2.00
United Nations
1. Blue cap with U.N. badge sewn onto the front, 55cm, UNTAG souvenir from a
Koevoet officer, bit dirty, otherwise VGC. $ 25.00
2. United Nations blue beret with enamel and gold metal badge, 6 3/4, label
reads United Nations Property MARCK, issued to a South African soldier who
served in Burundi, near mint. $ 35.00
United States of America
1. Artillery overseas cap, WWII, label removed, army brown colour with red
piping, near mint. $ 5.00
2. Duck hunter camo
beret, as worn by U.S. Navy SEALs and P.R.U. units in Vietnam, appears to
be tailor made with brown leather rim, no liner, about a size 56 when measured
with a tape measure, cannot see that there has ever been a badge mounted, small
ink spot and rim cracked in a couple of places, otherwise VGC and scarce. $
120.00
- Field cap, hot weather, size 6 7/8, 55cm, olive green, base ball
type cap, VGC. $ 10.00
- Field cap, hot weather, size 7, 55cm, olive green, base ball type
cap, VGC. (3 in stock) $ 10.00 each
- Service visor cap, wool serge, 1960s, size 6 7/8, Propper
International Inc, grey/blue, appears to be an officers issue with an
Other Ranks two-piece gilt metal badge on the front, gilt metal cap strap
buttons, black leather cap strap and peak, mint. $ 25.00
West Germany
1.
West
German helmet captured from a terrorist in Rhodesia, name David 77370
Banda written on leather liner inside, has a fine camo netting over the helmet
with some nylon strips tied to it, net torn in places, helmet VGC. $ 55.00
[Return to Home Page]