RFC or RAF early style Officer Cap? Help needed please
 

Good morning to all.

I would like to obtain your help, to identify this Officer's Cap. I am not sure if this is an original RFC Cap or an early (end 1918) or early 1919 RAF 1st Issue Cap.

Any help is much appreciated. It was made by R. Tyson Military Outfitter, in Dublin (hence my thoughts that it may be a 1919 RAF issue Cap).

I have seen all Khaki RFC Officers Cap (with no this blue band - horizontal) and also this early RAF (with blue band) but with the RAF Eagle (bullion).

Could it be an early RAF 1919 Style Officer Cap without the RAF Bullion Eagle? I am aware that former RFC were very proud of their early part in that Service and maintained their RFC Wings and other Memorablia...

Any thoughts most welcomed.
A.

Adriano,

Looking at the cap I am 100% convinced this is a made up item. The cap appears to period WW1 era and it is confirmed the tailor was operating at this period. The width of the chinstrap is also a good sign of being period. I suspect the buttons are possibly plain domed examples. The cap badge is placed to high and is an Other Rank's brass pattern, should be Officer's Service Dress (OSD) bronze. The black mohair band was never worn on the servicedress cap with the RFC. If it was 1st pattern RAF it would have a bullion of metal (J.R. Guant) cap badge to the mohair band and the peak would be of black leather. You do get mix up patterns during the 1918 / 1919 period as old items of kit was used and updated, but never like the one viewed. I suspect the cap is WW1 possibly worn by a British Yeomanry Officer and "Improved" for a higher price, or it could by a piece of old stock from the shop which I believe closed in the 1950's / 60's
Hope this helps,

BCS

I,ll have to agree with BCS it looks like another made for sale item,all the hats I,ve seen have the badge on the band not near the peak and the badge should be bronze. Very shakey looking item, if your thinking about buying it I would not.

BCS and Sator,
I do thank you very much the information and time to answer me back. Sadly, I have acquired this piece, before posting here.
The other Pictures from it (from the seller) are enclosed here.
It is said to have been from Captain Gordon Fox Rule, DFC, CdG*; from Brazil, who served in 1919 in Dublin, with the RAF (from Tallaght). This is why I originally thought it to be a mix of an old RFC Cap with the black mohair band.
Yes, the 1st Issue RAF Officer Cap do have the black leather peak and this RAF Bullion which is extremely rare (Picture from site enclosed here too to compare)
This cap seems to be very old indeed, the internal part of the peak is green and is labelled G Fox Rule.
I am not sure though if this is original, hence my postings here.
I do thank you very much for further appreciation and comments on the other pictures enclosed (sent by the seller). I hadn't time yet to photograph it myself at home...
Adriano

It takes more than pictues of an item to prove it is real. you might want to try and contact family or relatives of Capt. Rule if there are any to see if anyone has any pictures of him wearing the hat or confirmation that it was his and see if you can find any squadron photos that he was attached to. The hat just looks odd to me.