8th Gurkha rifles pillbox hat 1940 dated/WD marked

[Jerry B]

I picked this up today on the way home from working in Fishguard, in the same antiques shop as some of the other British items I bought recently.

A little bit of damage, but most of it is in very good condition and it is nicely maker marked and broad arrow stamped for 1940 and with a Q over the crowsfeet. The chin strap has broken, but it is behind the sweat band and can't be seen.

I have no idea what these go for and payed a couple of quid under the asking price.

I am not sure why but the system has done something funny with the last picture?

[Battery Command Post]

Not something you see every day.

Very nice item Jerry. Now, of course, you will need the rest of the uniform

Rob

[Jerry B]

Not something you see every day.

Very nice item Jerry. Now, of course, you will need the rest of the uniform

Rob

Hmmmm, yes, if only, maybe!

I thought it would go nice with my GHQ India BD and though the 8th served in North Africa, Italy and Burma, they were stationed in India before the war until about 1941. It will just sit on a shelf on it's own as I don't have any mannequins.

[SteveR]

Interesting cap.

[Jerry B]

Interesting cap.

I had never seen one in the flesh before today and could only assume it was correct for the Gurkha's, as the construction and markings all look good and the badge looks to have settled into it.

[davejb]

Must admit I have'nt seen one of these in decades, pretty rare to get one in good condition, normally kept by the wearer after demob, have'nt even seen newer ones for sale in recent years, or the tan bush hat either

[Adrian Stevenson]

I like that. Well done.

Cheers, Ade.

[Jerry B]

just adding that the badge is that worn by the Pipers and Drummers of the regiment in the 1930's and also that this type of hat is called a Kilmarnock.

[Jerry B]

Adding pics of the imprint on the cap and the reverse of the badge.

I thought as a paying member I had unlimited editing? I would have just edited these onto the previous post.