Hello. I haven’t made a thread in a while.
I took a gamble the other day with a TOS from Etsy of all places for £25!
It was listed as a ww2 queens own Cameron highlanders TOS. With all British headgear it is pretty hard to determine a date if the ink stamp is gone. Especially in regards to Scottish headgear! But the construction of the TOS on the listings pictures definitely lined up with what I would call “WW2” era construction for Tam O shanters. So at £25 I bought since it was too good a price to not have a look at it in hand
Immediately in hand the construction and feel reminds me of A&J gelfer’s TOS ( I will include my 1940 Gordon’s TOS) as reference. The inside of the TOS Is slightly different but online there does seem to be some variation sometimes with these A&J gelfers TOS. As everything else seem to be pretty similar.
The cap badge I think may be a recent addition as the brass pin is brand new. The cap badge it’s self looks ok but I am not as clued up on Cameron cap badges. The details seem relatively sharp minus the left foot which looks worn down a bit. On the inside there is also a mysterious small spot of Verdigris by itself at a small little third hole ( potentially a moth hole)
in hand it has what I would call that correct smell of old army head gear in combination with the sweatband this was definitely worn quite a lot.
All in all I just want some other peoples thoughts. I would say it’s definitely an original TOS but unfortunately i doubt there are any features that can date it. All I can say is it seems correct for the 40s era.
The eyelets on the back of the liner have a nice light brown paint or light brown enamel layer. Perhaps that lines up with a specific maker?
It is missing the ribbon on the back of the eyelets but that’s not too bad all things considered.
Hopefully you guys have some thoughts and opinions to share!
Bookmarks