Michael R

Item 23 This is a Volksmarine Senior Officer's visor with blue winter cover. Identical to the cap detailed at Item 20, the only variation is in the visor embellishment. Rather than the scalloped effect, the embellishment comprises a pair of single arcs of gold coloured metal oak leaves. Each arc is formed by seven overlapping oak leaves positioned around the outer edge of the visor. The chinstrap, common to Naval caps, is of good quality mat finished leather and of a standard design. The strap is superior to that worn on the Bundeswehr equivalent caps. The cap device is identical to those worn by officers of the other services with the exception of its finish which is in bright gold coloured metal rather than silver. Item 24 A Senior Officer's cap with a white summer cover but identical to item 23 in all other detail.

Volksmarine. Item 20 Junior Navy Officer's visor cap with gold coloured metal visor trim of similar pattern to the Bundesmarine equivalent grade cap. Item 21 Navy Petty Officer's cap with unadorned shinny black visor. The cap device is of similar design to the officer's but made from embroidered silks with a metal national emblem at its center. Item 22 Naval Officer's garrison style chip bag cap with small embroidered national roundel and gold trim to the crown.

Hi Gus, Thank you for your message, photo and name!! Yes, my primary collection is TR but as things have become more expensive and copies better, I have tended to fly off at tangents, sadly to the detriment of TR. Having said that, I still buy German swords when I get the chance but really enjoy dabbling in other fields such as Visor caps, RAF, RN US, Russian, E/W/TR German insignia, uniforms, medals and flags etc. I have a veritable house full of junk (my wife's description not mine). Nice "34" and my imagination is running wild regarding the goodies hidden behind the polythene!! Cheers Michael

Hi Again, I am not sure what but something tells me that you like post WWII German militaria etc. LOL. Like you, I too lie uniforms but they take up an inordinate amount of space even when not displayed like yours. What else do you collect?? You appear to have a distinct interest in para so are you also interested in other nationality para gear?? Another fine selection of goodies and nicely displayed. May I ask what the dagger is in the top right corner of your photo? Thank you once again Michael

Hi, And to finish up. Item 14 Is a US Coast Guard (Auxiliary) Admiral's visor cap.The cap is Identical to Item 6 above. The only visible difference in the caps is the lavish use of silver bullion wire embellishment to the visor which is identical to that shown in Item 8, the regular USCG admiral's cap but in silver rather than gold. Onto a bit of a tangent. Item 15 A nice Sea Scouting Officer's visor cap for a junior officer. This is a current style cap with a white cloth cover and a silver chin strap. The cap device comprises a central motif of a vertical clean anchor over the center of which is superimposed the insignia of the International Scouting Association, all in silver metal. The central motif is full encompassed by a plain vertical silver wire oval centered over a pair of crossed fouled anchors again in silver wire. The whole device is centered on a deep medium blue cloth field with a similar coloured cap band. Although rather plain, this, in my opinion, a very attractive badge. Item 16 Identical cap but of far earlier vintage. Note, on item 15 thee badge is embroidered on its field the the field is stitched to the cap band. Whereas on this cap the device is directly embroidered onto both the field and the cap band.

Hi, Three more Bundeswehr Naval visor caps for review. All are for wear by senior naval officers and feature a pair of single arcs of gold wire embroidered oak leaves running around the outer edge of the visor and a gold embroidered cap device featuring a fouled anchor encompasse by an open top oak leaf wreath and ensigned by a National Cockade. All have removable cloth covers and black vinyl chinstraps. The final cap is, I believe, worn by a Federal police officer. The chin strap is very similar to that shown on the PO's cap in Post 41 above. Shown for interest and reference.

Hi Gordon, Thank you very much for your message and information. I took the cord off that cap a few months ago but the photo pre dated the change. I wondered if it was perhaps a customs cord or police etc?? In any event, the cap currently wears a plain black chin strap so thank you for your confirmation!!! As a matter of interest, I acquired a box full of chin straps a few years back and haven't got a clue what they are. There is an interesting variety of them so if you want a research project, let me know and I'll photograph them!!! LOL. many thanks Gordon Cheers Michael

Hi Paul, Thank you for your comments. Hi Gigoo, Thank you for showing us all your Feldjaegar caps. All very smart and I see you have two officer's caps!! Very nice. keep em coming please. By the way, may I ask your name rather than using your tag name please?? Cheers and best wishes to all Michael

The following selection of insignia, although not strictly of a medical nature, are worn by personnel usually closely associated with the medical functions and they are Chaplains. Board 13 Top Row left is a pre 1953/WWII cap badge for a Special Duties Chaplain's Assistant and right is the same badge but post 1953 and current. Center left is the cap badge of a Chaplain holding any commissioned rank pre 1953/WWII and right post 1953 but now obsolete. Center is a chaplaincy blazer badge pre 1953. Col 1 A second variation pre 1953/WWII Chaplain's cap badge over a wooden shield removed from the base of a standing crucifix and bearing a cap badge crown surmounting a Chaplain's badge surmounting a Royal air Force cap/arm eagle. Col 2/4 Chaplains gorget insignia, basically the same as the cap badge device. Stole badge for a Personal Chaplain to HM Queen Elizabeth II. Miniature of the above badge both with minor variations in Col 4. Variation pair of Chaplain's gorget insignia. Chaplaincy Department lapel badge. Variation shoulder crosses worn by Chaplains assistants. Col 3 Post 1953 Crown surmounting the Chaplain's badge in bullion wire for wear on the officiating scarf. Chaplains beret badge, possibly a fictitious item. Col 5 RAF Sunday School lapel badge. Board 14 Pairs of, Ampleport Defense Chaplaincy College mudguards, Air Commodore Chaplain's OG rank sliders and ditto on NW Europe DPM camouflage. Board 15 Upper row, pair of shoulder patches for "Special Duties" Chaplain's Assistants. Flying suit patch for a Chaplain and a pair of epaulettes for a Chaplain's Assistant with gilt crosses. Rows 2/3, pairs of Home Dress shoulder sliders with embroidered insignia and applied rank lace for Squadron Leader, Wing Commander and Group Captain. Collar crosses for wear on desert and OG uniforms. Air Vice Marshal epaulettes for an Honourary Chaplain to the Queen. Superimposed over the lowest edge of the rank lace is the Royal Cypher comprising the monogram "E II R" surmounted by the Queen's Crown. RAF Chaplain's subdued shoulder sliders for a Group Captain. Board 16 WWII officiating RAF Chaplain's stole with Chaplains insignia surmounted by the King's Crown, all executed in golden yellow and coloured silks. Board 17 Ditto for a Chaplain to an RAF Association. In this case the Chaplain represents two associations, The Burma Star Association (for troops fighting in Burma during WWII and awarded the Burma Star Medal) and the RAF Air Sea Rescue Club.

Back to the Bundeswehr. Some Marine caps. The first two are junior officers caps whilst the third item is a PO's cap and the final cap is also a PO's cap but with a coloured chin strap which probably does not belong with the cap?? Your opinions are invited.

A few more US Coast Guard Auxiliary officer's hats as worn by female personnel. Item 10 A tan summer hat bearing a high quality silver wire embroidered cap device as per Item 8 above. This cap would have been worn by a female officer of the USCG (A) in the rank of Commander or Captain, the rank being denoted by the conjoined pair of single arcs of oak leaves also embroidered in silver bullion wire. This is a later hat with a semi hard domed skull. Item 11 The same cap for wear by Lieutenant Commanders and below but with a white winter cover.The rank insignia is replaced by a plain silver chin strap and buttons also in silver. The badge is the metal version as described in Item 7 above. Of interest is the fact that the device field is actually for a regular badge rather than the Auxiliary device. Item 12 Is the same as Item 10 but with silver tress added to the upper edge of the cap band and the cap skull is if the earlier soft flat style. The silver embroidery is of a heavier and more "chunky" type. Item 13 This cap is identical to Item 10 but with a white winter cover and also the addition of the silver tress around the hat band.

A few more Border Guard caps to view. Item 15 BG Enlisted cap with green materiel chin strap and alloy device. The cap materiel is of a woolly consistency. Item 16 Officer's cap with the larger stamped silver metal device and aluminum braid chinstrap. Item 17. Enlisted chip bag with small embroidered National Cockade. Item 18. Ditto. Item 19. Enlisted ranks cap identical to Item 15 but with a black vinyl chinstrap.

Hi Gigoo, Thank you very much for adding some of your headdress to the thread and please continue to do so. Yours is one of the smartest and nicest headdress displays that I have seen!! You obviously take great pride in your displays and collection and must have a lot of space to play with? Very impressive. Thank you once again With regards and best wishes Michael

Hi Gordon, Some BG stuff.!! Thank you for showing us your BG chopper Officer's cap. I must confess to never having seen one!! Very nice and I would imagine, quite rare?? I have a few BG caps and bits so I will start them with what I consider to be a nice BG General Officer's Uniform with aiguilette and visor cap. The dagger is what they classed as an honour dagger and is complete with case, straps and belt suspender. I do not know if the BG wore dagger knots?? if they did and you have one, will you please show it for reference. Cheers Michael Hi Paul, Nice, nice and nice again. I like to collect visors and I also like to look at photos of them so thank you very much. I would like to add a uniform to all my caps but money and space will not allow. We see your visors so now its time for your uniforms -- Please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cheers Michael

Hi Again, I had a look through my caps and have added a couple of similar items to your cap, one for a junior officer up Lt Cdr like yours and one for Commanders and Captains. both have contemporary blue covers which were usually classed as winter uniform whilst yours has a tan or khaki cover usually accepted as summer or warm weather areas (tropical etc). The junior officer's cap has an all metal device whilst the senior officer's has a bullion embroidered device and two arcs of oak leaves embellishing the visor. In my experience, although Merchant Marine caps are quite rare, they are not as desirable as USN officers caps to most collectors. However, this is open to debate?? Hope this is of interest to you. Regards Michael

Hi Muckaroon, First off, may I ask your name please, I hate answering to none d-plumes!! You have a very nice and quite scarce cap and in not bad condition. A nice item. "Only a supposition".. Supposition it may be but logical it certainly is. I think that your investigations of the original owner are excellent and in my opinion you are probably correct. The cap certainly has a WWII look to it and if I owned it and I would like to, then to me it would be WWII. Congratulations on both your cap and findings. If you have anything else to add either on this subject or in addition, then please feel free. With thanks, regards and best wishes Michael

Hi Paul, Thank you for your latest contribution to "our" thread, perhaps we can build a bit of a community??. I particularly like the uniform especially given that it is medical as I have a bit of a leaning in that direction. When I left the RAF, I almost applied to for a job as a porter!! in our local hospital but I did not fancy wheeling stiffs about!! Anyway Paul, Keep the input going please!! Cheers Michael

Hi Gordon, Very many thanks for your comments, information and for posting photographs of some of your caps. Like Paul, I too prefer the cloth and wire embroidered insignia but I got into post war German a bit on the late side ergo most of the insignia on my caps is metal. In the main, this is something of a side line collection but I do like both East and West German uniforms, insignia and caps etc. I was hoping that there would be other collectors who would enter their items as you have so once again thank you and please keep them coming!! Cheers and regards Michael

Hi, A couple of Air Force Visor caps and some chip bags (garrison caps) to view. Item 12 Enlisted man's cap in a woolly type materiel. The badge, manufactured in stamped silver metal comprises a pair of out stretched wings with a central wreath encompassing the National Cockade. The badge is reminiscent of the TR DLV cap badge. The upper badge, also in metal comprises an open top wreath encompassing a four bladed propeller. The welts are finished in a light blue piping like the Air Defense caps. Item 13 This is an Air Force General Officer's cap manufactured in superior materiel and features both blue welts and a matching blue cap band. The badges are identical to Item 12 but in gold and the chin strap is in bright mat gold. The badge attachment and backing are identical to Item 11 but on a light blue field rather than red. Item 14 A small selection of chip bag hats.

Cheers Paul, when I first encountered an Air Defense cap I thought it was a re-badged AF cap. I particularly like the welt colours. Cheers again Michael

hi Paul, Thank you for your message and comments. Nice to know that these threads are at least being looked at!! Have you seen the thread "US Navy and Naval Caps and Hats" yet? I have have started with the US Coast Guard and have added a few questions which you may be able to answer for me. I will be moving onto the US Navy next. Re mounts, I am assuming that you mean boards and I have 1551 at the moment covering US, GB RAF, GB Army, World Naval, East German, West German and Police insignia. I am about to start on my TR badges but need to buy some more card board LOL.. Did you get my last E Mail?? Regards and best wishes Michael

Hi Hugh, thank you for your message and comments and apologies for my delayed response. I have a tick agains "notify me of replies" but to date I have had no notifications so assumed that no one was interested which is why I did not reply to you and have slowed down on posting. So sorry once again. I was told of by an American for calling summer cap cover Khaki as, according to him, they are tan so I take the hat in good humor. With regard to the cap bands, we over on this side of the pond still wear mohair bands but I have noticed on a lot if not most of my US caps that you use fabric and or elastic. In any event, in my opinion, US visors are the smartest of the lot!!! Which is why I collect them. Thank you once again and if you have any caps etc to this thread, please feel free to jump in!!! Cheers Micheal

Continuing the RAF Medical and PMRAFNS theme, the following boards are: Board 9 Rows 1 and 2 are blood group patches designed to be attached, using Velcro to helmets, shirts and jackets etc when operating in combat areas. These can be found in various shapes and colours and with additional information on them. These are basic patches in light brown on a dark brown field. In an emergency injury situation, these patches are designed to speed up the identification of both blood groups and allergy situations etc. The sliders are for wear by members of the "Tactical Medical Wing" of the RAF and are found in a variety of patterns, in this case North West Europe DPM and OG and are ranked to the wearer, in this case Junior Technician, rank now obsolete. The upper sand coloured patch is from the Gulf War and was worn by RAF Medical personnel of 32 Field Hospital. Subdued "DARTS" (Deployable Aeromedical Evacuation Response Teams Squadron) PMRAFNS patch. Anodized aluminum RAF Dental Branch collar badge worn by all ranks. This is a Sealed Pattern used by manufacturers in order to check and maintain production standards. Two pairs of eagle collar badges worn on the nursing cape. A variety of Dental Branch collar badges from different periods. Board 10 Left and right edges from top to bottom. Flight Surgeon Arm badge. Ditto in miniature for wear on the Mess Dress. Flight Nurse all ranks arm badge. Ditto in miniature for wear with the Mess Dress uniform. Commissioned Officer rank sliders with the Caduceus badge in (left) metal and (right) gold embroidery. The ranks are Flight Lieutenant, Flt Lt (Capt). Squadron Leader, Sqn Ldr (Maj). Wing Commander Wg Cdr (Ltc). Group Captain Gp Capt (Col). Board 11 Rows 1 and 2 are blood group patches in black on OG. TMW (Tactical Medical Wing) Officer's shoulder sliders all manufactured in North West Europe DPM. Board 12 Top row. White Tropical Uniform tri corn hat cap badge for wear by officers of the PMRAFNS now obsolete. Bronze, gilt and brass RAF Medical Services collar badges all ensigned by the King's Crown and now obsolete. Variation white cap badge. Left side column, PMRAFNS Mess Dress Rank insignia for the ranks of Flying Officer, Flg Off (1st Lt). Flight Officer Flt Off. Squadron Officer Sqn Off. Right side column Ditto for the ranks of Wing Officer Wg Off. Group Officer Grp Off. Air Commandant Air Cmdt. Center, Medical Officer's rank sliders for Air Commodore/Commandant, Air Cdre (BG). Air Vice Marshal AVM (MG). Air Marshal AM (LG).

Item 7 Air Defense Enlisted man's cap with light (Air Force) blue welts and black vinyl chin strap. The cap device, although very similar to that worn by officers, is slightly smaller and finished in a mat aluminum. The badge comprises a national cockade with painted details encompassed by an open topped oak wreath. It is held in position by wire ties. Item 8 A similar cap worn by officers. The only visible distinctions are the use of a double strap aluminum chin strap and an officer's pattern cap device. The device has the same features as the Enlisted device but is in a shinier finished metal, is slightly larger and utilizes enameled detailing. Item 9 A second Officer's cap with only minor variations. item 10 Identical in all detail to Items 8 and 9, this is a standard Army officer's cap with white welts rather than blue Item 11 Once again, identical to the Army and Air Defense Officer's caps, this is a General Officer's cap and varies only in the welt and cap band colours which in this case is bright red, the chin strap and the cap device. The device, finished in gold metal is affixed, using wire ties, to a shaped backing field in bright red and onto the band. The chin strap is also identical to the standard Officer's strap but finished in bright mat gold rather than silver

Hi Gordon, Thank you for your message and observations. However, I think that my head is better looking than your head!! LOL I imagine that you have a collection of EG "stuff" so, please feel free to add it to the thread????? Cheers once again and best wishes Michael. PS I think that Mark Twain was right!!