I know nothing about RAF uniforms. Does anyone know the period this cap belongs to? Inside it says Bates Hatter 21 Jermyn st St James London, The "Bates" Service Cap, Finest Quality
Hard to tell from the images, but given the condition and colour of the material I'd say it was a fairly new one. Obviously depends on how well it was treated, but I've seen 10 year old ones that looked worse than that.
Interesting that it's had the brim pulled down in the usual manner, despite the fact it's against regs!
Jon Steele
1st Sgt, Fox Company, 506th, 101st
OC
The brim?
The brim of a cap is the part that extends, often horizontally, around the base, when shortened to the front only becomes a peak or bill.
The top part that is molded/shaped on this one is the crown.
The badge is that of our queen so it's not that old.
aka Stigroadie
AFRA
better by design
"Truth is a shining goddess, always veiled, always distant, never wholly approachable, but worthy of all the devotion of which the human spirit is capable. "
Thanks for the replies. I though it was a Queens crown, I didnt know if they'd changed the design much over the years. Theres a few moth holes but the chinstrap looks pretty new, colourwise I'd say it was greyer in reality than on the pictures I posted.
I'm sure the Queen would be delighted to be described as not that old, given she's well over 80 
It is an old one, if it was issued in the last 10 - 15 years the Eagle would have been made of Staybright and not Brass, I know this because I am from an RAF Family and have served in the RAF.
"Will you stop talking about the war!!"
"What, you started it!"
"We did NOT start it!"
"Yes you did, you invaded Poland..."
Hi there !
Im currently in the RAF Reg, and collect RAF uniforms etc when I get the chance....this cap is a jet age cap, about 1960s or 70s type of time. All you really need to do to make it look second world war (if you so desire) is to add a Kings Crown cap badge to it, and bob's your uncle !
If there's any more gen needed, just ask 
Euan
I meant old as in 'Not WW2'.
The Queen has been on the throne for almost 60 years so it can clearly have some age.
aka Stigroadie
AFRA
better by design
"Truth is a shining goddess, always veiled, always distant, never wholly approachable, but worthy of all the devotion of which the human spirit is capable. "
Hard to tell from the images, but given the condition and colour of the material I'd say it was a fairly new one. Obviously depends on how well it was treated, but I've seen 10 year old ones that looked worse than that.
Interesting that it's had the brim pulled down in the usual manner, despite the fact it's against regs!
Really? I had no idea it was against regs, I thought there was a degree of leeway in style what with uniforms being privately tailored. The rounder smaller peaks became more common after the Americans arrived while larger an more square peaks had been the fashion in the 30s. I've seen quite a few RAF hats shaped like that, both wartime and very modern examples. I had the impression that flight crew would do it to make their caps look a bit more dashing, possibly emulating the US "crusher" style.
But yes, definitely post war, but a good 40 years old as it has quite a wide leather strap and cloth covered buttons.
