Ww2 Airborne maroon beret?? Legit?

[harry211]

Hi

Just looking for advice please on the legitimacy of this '43 dated Supak Manufacturing Co maroon beret. From my very limited knowledge I am leaning towards it being legit but am very far removed from being an expert.

Opinions would be most welcome

Many thanks

[NCA]

Wwii british berets traits and construction

[Jerry B]

post war example with altered date.

[kradman]

I think also post war looks like someone removed the badge slide holder from the front inside of the beret

[Jerry B]

I notice it is on ebay

WW2 BRITISH AIRBORNE PARA 1943 DATED PARATROOPER BERET & BADGE | eBay

[LucN]

Wartime Supak berets had a white line just above the manufacturer's stamp, this line was omitted in 1948. Wartime examples also had a distinctive large space between the two stitched diamonds which was reduced to a more commonly found +/- 1 cm distance around 1950. The earliest order placed with Supak for maroon berets after the war was in 1953 as far as I know.

So yes, a post-war made beret with an altered date.

[LucN]

I notice it is on ebay

WW2 BRITISH AIRBORNE PARA 1943 DATED PARATROOPER BERET & BADGE | eBay

It is also not a very good sign when it is sold but quickly relisted, and note it is not just the beret but also a post-war helmet that is wrongfully described as wartime!