Item:
BT6001

British Foot Guards Short Grey Wool Cape: Pre-WW2 Issue

Item Description

Original Item: These are the grey wool short capes that covered the upper body to the waist. Worn over a red parade tunic in inclement weather but not so cold that a Great Coat was required. Old etchings show this very pattern in use in the Crimean War in the 1850s when British Soldiers went into battle wearing all their red finery. The actual Capes we are offering, and ONLY SIX at that, date from the 20th century. They each have THREE closure buttons of the General Service Pattern in gilt finish. Not the modern post WW2 Stay-Bright finish, these are the early pattern and production. Each General Service Pattern bears the FULL Royal Coat of Arms and these all bear the King's Crown indicating manufacture between 1901 and 1952.

The Maker's name on the rear is "Smith and Wright Limited of Birmingham" an old Company started in 1840 that was taken over by the Firmin Group just after WW2.

Purchased from the Ministry of Defense in the "Big Clear Out" in the late 1980s these having lingered in our Warehouse, undiscovered, ever since. In accordance with MOD requirements at the time, the buttons were detached, it was not permitted to "sell" the British Royal Coat of Arms" and the three gilt approximately 1" buttons come separately in a small plastic bag for you to reattach. Most probably 1930s production, but could be from prior to WW1, these Short Capes are not only interesting Collector's items they are perfectly serviceable.

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