G.S Berets

Hi

Does a list of makers of G.S Beret exist.
I have a couple and just want to check them out,.
They appear to be real.
Also when did the GS Beret appear was it 1943?
Both of my examples are 1944 dated.



This example shows much more use.

 

They're both genuine, mucker.

The material is different because the earlier GS caps were made from the same drill material as the FS cap. They then changed to serge.

 

RA 1944, RAC 1945

As worn at the time

Ron

 

Thanks Combover ,I did not no about... "earlier GS caps were made from the same drill material as the FS cap. They then changed to serge"
Good to no I have both types

Ron thanks for the close up pics.. was the style of wear for the GS caps to get as much Jaunty angle as possible?

Regards Jonathan

 

Jonathan

If I remember rightly, the first operation was to get the cap badge level with your left eye and then pull the fold down as sharply as it would go.

As for being jaunty, i'd say that was about right.

Ron

 

In theory they were introduced in late 1943 but probably do not become common before 1944. The example I have does not have a surviving makers mark or date, though does have the owners name in it.

 

They're both genuine, mucker.

The material is different because the earlier GS caps were made from the same drill material as the FS cap. They then changed to serge.

I need to further qualify this statement because this isn't a hard and fast rule. Manufacture of the serge ones gradually outpaced the drill type, until by the war's end nearly all were of the serge type. Serge was easier to make...

 

Thanks Ron ,Jerry and combover.
New Zealand did not produce these untill around the 1950s, so all war time worn examples, are British made, from the information I have.
Jerry that is always nice to an item named, it makes it much more special.

 

Thanks Ron ,Jerry and combover.
New Zealand did not produce these untill around the 1950s, so all war time worn examples, are British made, from the information I have.
Jerry that is always nice to an item named, it makes it much more special.

As it was named, to a captain in the RE, I tried a search on the London Gazette and I got a hit and assuming it was the same person, he was dismissed from the service in November 1944. I was unable to find out what he did to get dismissed after a general court martial.

Viewing Page 738 of Issue 36922

 

It's unlikey to have been a GS Cap named to an Officer. GS Caps were supposed to be ORs' headdress.

Unless, of course, it's named AND numbered.

 

It's unlikey to have been a GS Cap named to an Officer. GS Caps were supposed to be ORs' headdress.

Unless, of course, it's named AND numbered.

This one isnt numbered but is named and came with other bits to Lt Col Walker

Alistair

 

Another 4 - 3 have visible makers

Alistair

 

Alistair
Thanks for sharing your examples,I note you also ahve a S.& P HARRIS LTD

Regards Jonathan

 

The seller stated that it was named to a Captain in the RE, RF Aston and I did the search from that, and it has the flaming grenade badge in bronze on it. I can only assume that the seller knew where it came from, though I am not going to argue with you about its provenance, as I only have the sellers information on that.

 

The seller stated that it was named to a Captain in the RE, RF Aston and I did the search from that, and it has the flaming grenade badge in bronze on it. I can only assume that the seller knew where it came from, though I am not going to argue with you about its provenance, as I only have the sellers information on that.

Well there you have it. Like I said, it's unlikely but it did happen and it doesn't surprise me that the Army was well capable of setting some strict rules and then breaking them entirely.

I'm just a little surprised that a Corps officer would choose a GS Cap over a beret!

 

Well there you have it. Like I said, it's unlikely but it did happen and it doesn't surprise me that the Army was well capable of setting some strict rules and then breaking them entirely.

I'm just a little surprised that a Corps officer would choose a GS Cap over a beret!

It might also be a matter of supply and demand, who knows but good to see some other officers examples. Here is the one I have for ref purposes.

 

Forgot I had this Photograph it did not scan very well...

 

This photograph indicates how most GS Berets were worn, when not in view of the CSM...

Great photo, that.

 

I noticed this one for sale as part of a group lot to one officer, his Moss Bros made Cap GS.

 

Very nice, barathea wool, looks like.