Soft Cap Interiors |
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As with any country at war, industry rallies to provide the country with clothing and equipment to outfit the soldiers. Naturally, a large variety of manufacturers worked to fill this requirements. The following are some examples of soft cap interiors worn by the CEF. |
The complete interior of Model 1916 soft caps, including the top, sides, and the section under the top where the large grommets are, are black lacquered oilcloth. The tyipical British War dept "WD" with a broad arrow is marked in white paint on the black oil-cloth lining. | ![](/cef/headgear/cefch17a.jpg) | |
The top interior of this pattern of Model 1916 soft cap is plain tan cloth with no stitching. The sides, including the section under the top where the large grommets are, is white cloth. This cap is marked on the tan cloth lining with a black ink stamping "WD" with a broad arrow.
| ![](/cef/headgear/cefch07a.jpg) | |
The entire interior of this pattern of Model 1916 soft cap, including the top, the sides, including the section under the top where the grommets are, is yellow/gold cloth and is unmarked. The top (the crown) has a diamond quilted stitched pattern. The grommets on this example are smaller than those normally encountered. Caps with this pattern of interior, which may be Canadian manufactured, are usually not marked,
| ![](/cef/headgear/cefch02a.jpg) | |
The entire interior of this Model 1916 soft cap, including the top and the sides, is a copper-colored cloth. The top (the crown) is plain with no pattern. There are no grommets on the side under-panels and the cloth lining is unmarked, except for a paper size tag. Caps with this rather plain cloth lining are thought to be Canadian manufactured. | ![](/cef/headgear/cefch12a.jpg) | |
On Canadian Pattern Winter Forage Caps, the complete interior including the top and the sides, are tan/grey quilted wool similar to flannel. The top (the crown) on this cap displays the zigzag quilted stitched pattern invariably found on this pattern. The interior on this example is stamped with a blurred "C" with a broad arrow. The green underside of the cardboard visor can be seen here. There were no ventilation grommets on this pattern of cap.
| ![](/cef/headgear/cefch06a.jpg) | |
On the Canadian pattern soft caps, the complete interior, including the top and the sides are tan/grey quilted wool similar to flannel and display the unique zigzag stitching pattern. On this example, the grey, padded lining is stamped "Toronto 1916" and marked with the size "6 7/8". The green underside of the cardboard visor can be seen here. There are no grommets on this pattern of cap.
It appears that this pattern of cap started life as a Canadian Pattern Winter Forage Cap, but was factory altered to have the ear flaps removed. All examples encountered have been altered in the same fashion.
| ![](/cef/headgear/cefch16a.jpg) | |
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