15th (Scottish Volunteer) Para Bn - Holy Grail or another Fake?

[Reid10]

Forum Members,

Some of you who watch this forum topic know I collect post-WWII Scottish headgear. My Holy Grail is a beret badged to the 15th (Scottish Volunteer) Parachute Battalion. It represents a combination of my collecting focus and a unit with a prestigious history, but also appeals to me as a current paratrooper (going on 20 years).

Unfortunately, as Mark has stated in the past, these berets are rarer than hen's teeth, so I know if one comes up for sale you need to jump on it. However, there are also fakes out there.

See my earlier post on the forum: Alleged Scottish Para Beret - Correct Beret, Strange Tartan and Possible Fake Badge

Another 15th para beret has come up for sale (see attached images), which the seller claims is pre-1953. I always try to do my own research before I reach out to the forum for their thoughts and expertise and rely heavily on forum members and their posts. For example, I read Steve's (ASR142) thread on WWII British Beret traits and construction and Jerry B's thread on his extensive para beret collection.

Here are my observations and I look forward to hearing yours.

1. The Hunting Stewart badge backing is correct and folded under, so not a TRF. It is machine-sewed.
2. The badge is KC and does not have the "blob" under the wings. However, that does not mean the beret is pre-1953.
3. The eyelet protector is leather and handstitched, which is an indicator of an earlier beret.
4. The inner brim appears to be attached using loose tacking.
5. There is a slider pocket, which I think for most berets was not introduced until after 1953.
6. There appears to be the remains of an adhesive label, which to me seemed off. However, under the residue of the glue you can barely make out some letters (maybe Kangol?).

To my eyes, it appears to be a genuine beret, albeit not pre-1953 (though it has the traits of a WWII beret, so possibly from later 1950s). However, I defer to the expertise of the forums, especially considering the asking price by the seller! (Above $100, below $300)

Cheers,

Reid

[Reid10]

Sorry, I meant DZ patch, not TRF.