Original British WWI 1917 Dated Trench Cap – Machine Gun Corps – Dated 1917 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a stunning example of an original wool serge constructed Trench Cap  as used by Great Britain in WW1. Oilcloth lining with “WD” and Broadarrow stamp and date of manufacture, 1917. Affixed to the front is the cap badge for the Royal Machine Gun Corps.

When Commonwealth troops found themselves locked in trench warfare in the first winter of 1914, the SD cap was proven to be inadequate. Although troops were issued with a balaclava it could not be worn under the SD cap. The answer to this need was the rapid introduction of the “Cap, winter, Service Dress’ known as the “Gor Blimey”. The cap was never intended to be worn in the UK and only authorized for wear by troops on active service. The “Gor Blimey” appears to have been disliked by the Command Structure for its lack of military appearance, but liked by the troops for its relaxed look and functionality.

The Winter Forage Cap was made from the same drab serge wool as the SD cap but did not have rigid stiffening to the top, body, or visor. It was heavily padded and lined with quilted shirt material. It had an external neck flap that when not in use folded up onto the top of the cap and secured with a cloth slider. For this reason, there was no leather chinstrap.

It appears that in May of 1916 when the Helmet Steel Mark 1 became individual issue, the winter forage cap was withdrawn from service although it was not completely withdrawn until 1917.

The Trench Cap, such as our example,  was a compromise between the Gor Blimey and the SD Cap.  It has a non stiffened crown and visor. It was easily packable, and the oilcloth lining kept the wearer warm and dry. The neck flap was omitted. A leather chinstrap was added to the design. As helmets would now be worn at all times in the front lines, and allowed the wearing of a balaclava underneath, the need for a front-line winter cap was redundant. Although never manufactured in Canada, it was popular with Canadian troops.