Canada. An Armed Forces "Unification Period" Army General's Service Dress Cap, c. 1973
This fine quality cap has a 45 mm wide embroidered forest green band, with the body of the cap fabricated from a forest green wool, in the traditional flat top design with raised peak. There are two black metal eyelets on each side of the cap on the underside of the overhang for ventilation. The front is adorned with a 65 mm (w) x 78 mm (h) Canadian Armed Forces Cap Badge in silvered and gold-coloured bullion wire, the void of the crown in red embroidery, touches of red, green and blue embroidery in the base of the crown, black threading giving definition to the eagle and leafing, red embroidery representing the eagle's tongue, with light blue embroidery in the swords, all on a black wool base. The black patent leather visor has a black two-piece patent leather strap resting along the top edge, held in position via brass buttons bearing the Arms of Canada, illustrating a standing lion holding a maple leaf in its right front paw, along with two rows of leafing on the brim in fine gold-coloured bullion wire. The underside of the visor has a hunter green synthetic finish, the visor itself very stiff. The 42 mm wide sweatband is fabricated from chocolate brown leather, with the two ends held together by a white ribbon which is finished in a bow-tie. The front of the sweatband over the visor has an additional reinforcing patch of synthetic deerskin leather stitched to the leather sweatband, aiding in restricting sweat from the wearer's forehead. The sidewalls are lined in black nylon, the dome covered in a clear moisture-resistant fabric, a white linen label stitched in place in the dome under the moisture-resistant covering, the label inscribed "PRINCIPAL CAP / CAP SERVICE DRESS / GENERAL OFFICER / NOVEMBER 1973 / 8405-21-852-5427 / SIZE 7-5/8", with a faded stamp in blue ink. Overall, it continues to exhibit smooth quality in the wool, plus quality workmanship, intact stitching, maintaining its original period look, free of mothing, near mint.