Mervyn Mitton Posted September 16, 2009 Posted September 16, 2009 The British South Africa Police wore a normal cap - shown some time ago under Police. However, the African Police wore a shako (sun helmet). I am showing it in this section since it was a standard style, also worn by the King's African Rifles - and other units within Sthn. Rhodesia, Nthn. Rhodesia and Nyasaland. (KAR wore a tarbosh in full dress). This example is in good condition for it's age , but is missing the lion and spear badge (anyone have a spare one ?). However there is a picture of one being worn. Inside the headband is his name and number - 22072 Mufari.
Mervyn Mitton Posted September 16, 2009 Author Posted September 16, 2009 (Courtesy of Col. Dudley Wall.)
Mervyn Mitton Posted September 27, 2009 Author Posted September 27, 2009 An ex- British South Africa Police officer kindly gave me the correct badge - so, a close-up of the front of the shako.
Stuart Bates Posted September 27, 2009 Posted September 27, 2009 Mervyn, the badge sets the shako off very nicely. A real stroke of luck to have been given it! I meant to ask earlier but is the badge in the photo of the police officer a metal one on a cloth background or is it embroidered? Stuart
Mervyn Mitton Posted September 28, 2009 Author Posted September 28, 2009 Hi - Stuart. No, it's this gilt badge - with a blue cloth backing. I understand that this was discontinued, so the shako is now complete as it stands. Mervyn
leigh kitchen Posted October 1, 2009 Posted October 1, 2009 Just being pedantic - but post . 5 - a photo taken 1957 but showing a Constable in 1958?
Guest Rick Research Posted October 1, 2009 Posted October 1, 2009 Any particular "reason" for a flat top rather than the usual dome? In profile it is eerily reminiscent of an imperial German Jäger's shako under a Feldgrau cover.
Dave Alexander Posted October 1, 2009 Posted October 1, 2009 Just being pedantic - but post . 5 - a photo taken 1957 but showing a Constable in 1958? Constable Number 1958, as in PC 49?
Mervyn Mitton Posted October 2, 2009 Author Posted October 2, 2009 Trust 'eagle eye' Leigh to spot the 'deliberate' mistake ... I hadn't noticed this, but it will be difficult to point it out - they would have stopped printing in 1980. I used to like PC49 and Dixon of Dock Green. Was 49 only on radio ?
Peter_Suciu Posted December 3, 2009 Posted December 3, 2009 Any particular "reason" for a flat top rather than the usual dome? In profile it is eerily reminiscent of an imperial German Jäger's shako under a Feldgrau cover. The Germans actually had a khaki tropical Jäger shako too! Stuart and I included in our book, but alas neither of us own such an example. I don't know how many were made.
Chris Boonzaier Posted December 3, 2009 Posted December 3, 2009 Just being pedantic - but post . 5 - a photo taken 1957 but showing a Constable in 1958? I guess you are from the digicam era? Back in the old days photographers could use "Fast film", or "slow film" depending on what effect they wanted to achieve.. In Southern Africa they also had "really, really, slow film"... and you could get all kinds of effects, this being one example :-) But my guess is, in the 1957 issue of "the outpost" they were showing the uniforms being introduced for 1958...
Peter_Suciu Posted December 3, 2009 Posted December 3, 2009 In Southern Africa they also had "really, really, slow film"... and you could get all kinds of effects, this being one example :-) The irony in this Chris is that I missed this thread as I was actually in Africa when it was first posted. I was in Egypt and have been slowly catching up on posts that I missed. I just found a similar helmet for sale and was talking to Stuart about it, so my slow response has a reason... and you? :sleep:
Mervyn Mitton Posted December 4, 2009 Author Posted December 4, 2009 Could his Force number have been - 1957 ? Peter , this one is for sale....
Chris Boonzaier Posted December 4, 2009 Posted December 4, 2009 Could his Force number have been - 1957 ? Peter , this one is for sale.... No! No! Photo taken on the 28th December 1957... The photographer set his camera on a really, really slow shutter speed, told the constable to smile... hit the button... went for a beer.... and a week later thought "sh1t! I forgot about Constable Jones!" When he got there the subject was still at attention, the smile now rather pained... and as the photographer arrived the constable did morse code with his eylids "Please Sir! May I now move!?" But serious... I really think this was published in 1957, showing the new uniforms that were to be introduced in 1958. I remember when we changed from Khaki to grey dress uniforms, the photo brochures were there with pictures months in advance. Best Chris
Macrae Posted January 30, 2010 Posted January 30, 2010 Funny that Chris I just found one of these shakos among 158 World Wide Police hats I have just inherited. Dan
leigh kitchen Posted January 31, 2010 Posted January 31, 2010 Oh good, sounds like another thread coming on?
Macrae Posted January 31, 2010 Posted January 31, 2010 Not another thread I dont collect these so I am swaping and selling as quick as I can . Dan
Peter_Suciu Posted January 31, 2010 Posted January 31, 2010 Not another thread I dont collect these so I am swaping and selling as quick as I can . Dan, any police sun helmets in the mix? Peter
Mervyn Mitton Posted February 1, 2010 Author Posted February 1, 2010 Dan - you can't receive IM's - please contact me on cathay@iafrica.com Mervyn
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