Scarce original 1942 Dated W.R.N.S Ratings Cap

An original Women's Royal Naval Service Ratings cap clearly dated 1942.

This pattern of cap was introduced in mid-1942 and saw widespread issue throughout the rest of the war within the service. Modelled on the men's ratings hat it replaced the earlier pattern W.R.N.S 'floppy' style hat. It differs from the men's cap as the crown is not stiffened. The hat is made from the regulation colour of serge wool and features a leather sweatband to the interior. 

The hat is fitted with a wartime HMS gold wire ribbon, or cap tally, which were used in place of tallys with ship names for security reasons. 

The internal sweatband features the makers name of 'James Forsyth (St. Albans) Ltd' and the date of 1942, making this a very early example. The size of 6 7/8 is marked in ink and the original owner has marked her name which reads 'E. H. Carpenter'.

The cap is in very good condition and displays extremely well. It only shows limited signs of wear and use with the only small floor being a slight loss of stitching to a section of the leather headband. 

A fine example of a Wrens cap, complete with a very early date. This would be hard to better!