COLLECTOR IDEAS
While Royal Navy head wear has never attracted the prices of German caps and helmets of the Kaiserlichte Marine or the later Kriegsmarine, World War I items are now becoming more scarce and increasing in price.
Officers caps were habitually private purchase items in accordance with the social norms of most military forces of that time. Royal Navy officer and senior rates caps are distinctive from the later versions of WWII by their shortened peaks and were constructed of dark blue melton wool with leather or Vulcan fibre peaks. A bullion insignia of Kings crown surmounting an anchor with
(in the case of officers) surrounding wreath was mounted on a mohair band with a leather chinstrap mounted by anchor embossed gilt buttons. Silk or faux-silk linings were matched with a leather sweat band and consistent with the period, the majority of these caps are found in smaller sizes. Senior rates caps vary in price dependent upon condition but can be found in the range of £200 to £300, with Waterloo Militaria currently having a fine example priced at £295 in stock. Officers’ caps tend to attract a higher premium and the rarer items such as a Royal Naval Air Service cap can reach prices up to £1,400.