Slovakia, First Republic. A Slovak River Police Officer’s Visor Cap, By Franz Kaniok

A well-preserved Slovak River Police Officer’s visor cap, constructed of multi-piece black wool. It features reinforced side walls, fully lined on the exterior with a woven black rayon-blended cap band featuring linden branch and leaf designs. Stitched onto the peak and centre of the cap band is an insignia consisting of a padded black wool base and bearing a hand-embroidered gold bullion wire insignia set within a laurel wreath. The insignia measures 70 mm (w) x 64 mm (h). It is flanked on each side by gilded bronze buttons bearing raised anchors, in turn securing in place a chinstrap constructed of multiple rows of twisted and rolled gold bullion wire piping. The chinstrap rests upon a protruding black vulcanfibre visor. The interior features a dark brown leather sweatband fully trimming the side walls, measuring 35 mm in width. It also features a padded maroon rayon liner. Stitched onto the crown is a partially-intact triangular oilcloth patch bearing a maker’s mark of “F. KANIOK, BRATISLAVA”. The cap measures approximately 265 mm (w) x 270 mm (l) x 130 mm (h). Issues consistent with age and field use are evident, and include some material fatigue of the wool, deterioration of the wire features, and soiling of the interior. It is in an overall better than very fine condition. 

Also included is a set of Royal Navy Commander shoulder boards, each constructed of dark navy-blue wool, and bearing three gold bullion wire tresses. Pinned with bronze buttons, each shoulder board is unmarked, measures 48 mm (w) x 140 mm (l), and is in an overall better than very fine condition.