Offered for your consideration is a museum-quality, exceptionally rare bespoke British Army Field Officer’s peaked cap, tailored by the legendary Savile Row military outfitters, Hawkes & Co. Ltd.
The History & Why This Piece is Exceptionally Rare:
This cap belonged to a senior commanding officer (a Major or Lieutenant Colonel) of the Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Regiment, a Territorial Army unit that has an incredibly brief footprint in British military history.
The Short-Lived Regiment: The Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Regiment was formed in 1961 as a Territorial Army unit. Due to defense restructuring, its existence was remarkably short, making any surviving regimental artifacts highly sought after.
The Narrow Dating Window: The specific anodized cap badge featured on this hat—displaying the three-turreted castle, the central key, the arms of Ely, and the St. Edward's Crown—was officially approved for use in 1963. Furthermore, the interior tailor's label reads "Hawkes & Co. Ltd." In 1974, the company merged to become Gieves & Hawkes. This perfectly brackets the cap's manufacture to a narrow 11-year window (1963–1974).
The Savile Row Pedigree: Commissioning a bespoke No. 1 Dress cap with heavy gold bullion wire directly from 1 Savile Row was a significant personal expense for an officer. Finding a surviving Field Officer's cap from such a short-lived Territorial regiment, crafted by one of the premier military tailors in the world, is an extraordinary market scarcity.
Cap Details & Features:
Insignia: Original anodized "staybrite" Suffolk & Cambridgeshire cap badge.
Peak (Visor): Features the thick, heavy gold bullion wire embroidery denoting a Field Officer rank, with a distinctive textured green underside.
Body: Dark wool body with a bright red band and red welted piping along the crown.
Interior: Features a rich brown leather sweatband. The inner crown is protected by a standard period cloudy plastic moisture barrier, beneath which the prestigious Hawkes & Co. Ltd (1 Savile Row) gold gilt crest and address label is clearly visible.
Condition:
This piece survives in remarkable vintage condition, displaying a beautiful, honest patina consistent with age and careful storage. Please note the natural aging on the interior leather sweatband and the green visor underside. The gold bullion remains intact but slightly faded.
Please review all images carefully, as they serve as the definitive condition report. The exact bespoke cap pictured is the one you will receive.
Rare British Militaria, Cold War UK, Hawkes and Co Savile Row, Gold Bullion Officer Hat, British Territorial Army, Suffolk Regiment, Cambridgeshire Regiment, Antique Military Uniform, Gieves and Hawkes history.
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