The two peaks sticking out the top are what made it so distinctive and sharp looking!

We were still issued these in the 1980's until we got head overs. We were shown a different method of wearing them (which we could also use with our head overs). Instead of pushing one end all the way through as was shown in the first step, push it about 3/4 through, then do one roll at the bottom, the flappy top piece is then folded over the top and tucked in on one side. It maybe just local units hated the piskie look so had different ways of folding. The last photo shown looks like the bloke on the left has his folded in that style.

@RiflemanMoore

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the info! I understand the Royal Marines are still issued them or at least were until recently.

When it was cold we turned the sides down to keep warm. Sometimes for fun would be worn crossways withe the points up, drove the SSM mad.

The cap comforter continued to be issued until the late 80's early 90's, I still have mine floating about somewhere. Note that they didn't always come sewn closed at one end, as the ones worn at 2:36 show.

@RiflemanMoore

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the info on them being worn so recently, as said elsewhere I understand the Royal Marines are still issued them, or were until recently. I'm not aware of examples not sewn closed at both ends, are you perhaps thinking of the head over? Those shown at 2:36 are the standard type sewn closed at both ends and folded In the manner I showed but the sides haven't been turned up quite as far as I did.

@harry9392

4 жыл бұрын

The ones that were not sown up were Headovers

@antdov8371

3 жыл бұрын

Yep. Fold top hole end over Onto rolled side. Pull who,e thing down to keep neck warm.

@andrewmstancombe1401

2 жыл бұрын

I was issued one in 76. As a recruit we weren't issued berets until we'd earned it so in the field we wore these cap comforters as someone says the open ended ones are headovers which if memory serves are longer. We didn't push it all the way up but around I'd guess a third rolled the edges up about 3 or 4 in then tucked the longer end inside the turn up and then pulled the turn up, up till it was just on the ear finally tucking in the "thunderbirds" ( 60s children's TV) peaks. In winter they were very much appreciated.

We still had these in the New Zealand army in the 1980s! I still have one I found in the Q store (there were about a dozen there) in 1985. The RQ said I could have one because they were no longer an "official" item. You don't tuck the corners into the foldover, you poke them back into themselves.

I think the mistake a lot or reenactors and actors make with the cap comforter is to see it as just a woolly hat and always wear it on the back of the head and pulled down over the ears the way civilians wear one today. While there is no doubt that British soldiers did wear it like this in cold weather, many photos from WW2 and later - including those in your film - show it being worn forward on the head and tilted to the side rather like a Field Service cap. This is particularly noticeable with the Commandos before the issue of the green beret, where the cap comforter was the only common headgear - apart from the steel helmet - for soldiers who had come from a wide variety of units. British soldiers of the period were trained to take a pride in their appearance - as shown by the endless bulling of boots and pressing of hairy BD - so even when it came to wearing a shapeless woollen tube on their heads they would try to make it look smart.

@RiflemanMoore

5 жыл бұрын

To a degree certainly. Though to be honest the bulling of boots and pressing of battledress is itself a bit overblown in the reenacting community in some circles! For the duration boots were to be dubbined and battledress certainly wasn't kept pressed at all times, in the field it simply wasn't possible.

14 here in Wollongong, Australia.... Putting mine on now....

Still worn and issued at lympstone commando to this day for those taking the commando course

@james9311

3 жыл бұрын

And for airborne recruits attempting P Company

@1969kingperry

3 жыл бұрын

@@james9311 that must be a new thing as I never got one for p company but did when I did the commando course

I've only a few minutes ago left a comment regarding this item on your maroon beret video! I have to correct my comment: we were issued *headovers*. In cadets, I had one of these cap comforters. Okay on a kid's head, all examples had (or seen) ALWAYS tight on an adult head. They also ALWAYS also seem to have a moth hole in the same place... So, as I understand it: Cap Comforter - wool; both ends sewn. Headover - thinner wool/synthetic mix; both ends open. Effectively, a snoot that can be rolled and worn similarly to a cap comforter. Balaclava (?)(1980s/90s) - as per headover, top sewn closed with opening for face. Can be rolled and worn similarly to a cap comforter - almost! Correct? Cap comforter seems best.

What a clever bit o kit. I bought one thinking it was a rather short scarf. It’s bloody warm on yer head and a bit too tight and thick when rolled up to fit. Rolling it once at the bottom then folding a single layer in in itself from the top seems to work.

A lot of us wore them to make up for the poor fit of the steel toby liner, though it meant tightening up the chin strap to stop movement.

Very informative and interesting. Thanks for this 👍

Looks like something I was issued back in 2003. Can't remember if it was part of my initial field kit at basic training or part of the extra field kit issused on my first unit. Although it was slightly different as it had a hole at both ends and I was told it could be either a cap, a scarf or a balaclava type of thing. Anyway never used it, never seen anyone else use it either. I expect like mine many others spent their life in as new condition in the back of the locker.

@wessexdruid7598

2 жыл бұрын

That's a headover - worn as a scarf, balaclava or cap. Clearly you never operated anywhere cold...

I've just bought an original (1943 stamp on it), and yes, they're tight. The way I was shown to wear it - many decades ago, by an uncle of mine, is to turn one end up, leaving a big, floppy bit on top, then tuck that into the turn.

I was issued them at Pirbright in 1967 and it went with me after passing out to battalion. But we never used them as I recall . So just to let you know that they were still on issue at that time .

Yes they were general issue worn instead of tin hat in preference to the hated peaked camo cap

@RiflemanMoore

5 жыл бұрын

I can certainly understand them being preferred to the crap hat.

@simonsignolet5632

5 жыл бұрын

Those were the days, my friend.

Issued one in 1980 good bit of kit

The cap comforter was still on issue in the 90's ,

I was issued one in 1974. I never used it once though in my entire 24 years.

Many thanks for posting this! I needed the tutorial,

@RiflemanMoore

4 жыл бұрын

No problem!

@jarniwoop

3 жыл бұрын

@MichaelKingsfordGray Col. Battle Morningwood.

Super helpful !

Issued more recently without one end sewn as a ‘neck warmer’. Worn as a cap by folding over and then a single roll.

These are very popular in Nepal due to Gurkha service in the UK army. The Nepalese army issues them as well.

Great video! I did not know that they were used in WW1. Cool!

@RiflemanMoore

5 жыл бұрын

Glad you found it interesting.

Great 👍

I was issued one in the 90's, apparently instead of a snood.

We were using them in the 1970’s in West Germany.

We got the ends cut off and made I to head overs , before they were issued

Very interesting video! I once knitted my own via an improviseren pattern 😂

@RiflemanMoore

5 жыл бұрын

Nice! They do make an excellent cold weather cap.

I've been looking for one of these recently - it's something that you often see at shows but never thought to pick one up...however looking around online I have started seeing the term 'jeep scarf' being used which has thrown some doubt into my mind regarding what item to buy.

@RiflemanMoore

5 жыл бұрын

They do look quite distinctive, very short for a scarf so I would go by that, in terms of distinguishing them.

The first time i heard anout the Cap Comforter, i thought it was some kind of liner to be worn on the inside of service caps and such to make them more comfortable. But turns out it was just a funny name for a wool cap

@RiflemanMoore

5 жыл бұрын

Indeed so, you have to think of it in terms of 19th century terminology when the word comforter is associated with blankets and garments intended for warmth.

@Thomachi

5 жыл бұрын

@@RiflemanMoore Absolutely, lots of 19th-century words and expressions have changed meaning in the last hundred years. Especially for us who don't have English as a first language, reading old English texts can be confusing for novices.

Hi from Australia. can you kindly advise whether the Royal Marine Commando wore a Black or dark navy blue British Cap Comforter please. It looks similar to the comforter we wore in our Commando company here in Victoria (Australia)

Thanks for sharing

@RiflemanMoore

5 жыл бұрын

No worries!

Wore them on P Coy in the late sixties.

They were certainly still issuing these in the early-mid 1980's.

@RiflemanMoore

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the info. As said elsewhere I understand the Royal Marines still issue them or were until very recently.

Wow had to a double take then. You're close to being a doppelganger to the 15th Lord Lovat himself when you wear your cap comforter.

Correctly folding the cap comforter correctly appears to be a lost art. If you rocked up in almost any fighting unit and wore it like that you would have been laughed at. It was phased out and replaces with the "headover" which was a cheep copy of a Buff. In the early to mid 1980s.

They're still popular today, with a certain faction, but in pink, worn sideways, and with the pointy bits sticking out.

@RiflemanMoore

4 жыл бұрын

Hah, there is a resemblance, unfortunately.

@josephporcheron195

3 жыл бұрын

??

W (broad arrow) D CLEMESHA BROS and BIRCH LTD LEEK STAFFS 1943, are marked in black ink on mine. Do you think this is a legitimate cap comforter, or a reproduction?

@RiflemanMoore

5 жыл бұрын

Difficult to say from a description, could you send me a photograph on the Facebook page?

we had the 'headover' in my time which started in '85 which was the same thing but open at both ends, but I do know how to fit a cap comforter 'properly' my grandad was a veteran and had one and when I was a small kid he showed me how to put it on - you dont do it like that -when pushing one half into the other you dont push it all the way - leave a few inches of space, and you fold that bit, the non doubled end, is then folded back on itself and the doubled end is folded up over it, for the uninitiated it take a couple of goes to get it right the 1st time as everyone got different shape heads and the further you slide one part into the other the smaller hat you will get, if done right you should end up with the top of the hat folded under the folded up brim and shouldnt see the seam and you wont get the squared ends sticking up

A lot of people think that it was a piece of commando kit but wasn't it issued to every infantryman? Edit: does he name mean that it was worn under headdress (helmets etc)?

@thejackal8936

5 жыл бұрын

yes it was issued to everyone

@RiflemanMoore

5 жыл бұрын

Indeed, it was general issue. I'm not aware of it routinely being worn under helmets, it would not be very comfortable to do so. You're more likely to find a balaclava worn in such a manner.

@sander7165

5 жыл бұрын

@@RiflemanMoore okay thank you !

Any advice on getting larger liners for mark 2 helmets, I have a orignal RAN 1942 Brodie helmet, however the liner in it is quite small, any advice on seeking reproductions or orignals

@RiflemanMoore

5 жыл бұрын

Reproductions are easy to find, Soldier of Fortune stocks them and searching eBay will turn up examples from other companies.

That's not how I was taught to form the cap comforter. Leave a longer tail by only pushing the end part way inside make a thiner fold and that should leave a longer crown which can fold over and tuck into one side giving a double layer on the top

Can we get a vid on all the different ways to wear a GS cap?

@RiflemanMoore

5 жыл бұрын

As far as I'm aware there's officially only one way to wear it and that is pulled down over the right ear in the same manner as a beret.

Is it the same as the recruits wear in the Royal Marines.

Ooh.. This is handy.

@RiflemanMoore

5 жыл бұрын

Glad you found it so.

Do any companies still produce the cap comforter? Where did you get yours ?

@RiflemanMoore

5 жыл бұрын

Mine is an original, they aren't hard to find but What Price Glory do make reproductions.

@dearthworm

4 жыл бұрын

I ordered one several years ago from What Price Glory. It's wool, very good quality, and was shipped quickly and arrived at my door in about one week. Easy transaction and I'm very pleased with the item.

Where can one buy one these days?

Dear Sir-Do you or anyone else know where to buy the Royal Marines issued Cap/Comforter scarf? All of the WWII ones I've found are way too small, and I wear a size 60 cm. Thanx for any info. UPDATE: I bought a nice replica for just $12.00 USD + postage from What Price Glory (WPG) online:)-John in Texas

Is this different to a headover?

Thanks very much for posting this. Does anyone have the dimensions of a cap comforter?

@RiflemanMoore

5 жыл бұрын

No worries, I can get them for you, I'll post them when I do.

@bigbrowntau

3 жыл бұрын

@MichaelKingsfordGray yes I do, but I prefer not to use it on youtube

I think it is still being used by Royal Marines Commando recruits to this day

@RiflemanMoore

5 жыл бұрын

You're absolutely right.

@Matt-nw6rk

4 жыл бұрын

We wear them very differently though :P

@rafagarcia9448

3 жыл бұрын

@@Matt-nw6rk are yours smaller? Where can i Get one?

Why were these issued instead of something more like a watch cap? Is it because it's a one size fits all affair?

@RiflemanMoore

5 жыл бұрын

That's part of it, it can also function as a short scarf of course.

If it has no moth hole look for a another until you have one... like British Pullovers...... they were normally stored with Moth eggs it seems.

@RiflemanMoore

5 жыл бұрын

Absolutely, part of the stores procedure.

Can you do a video on ww2 Arp/CDV uniforms plese

@RiflemanMoore

5 жыл бұрын

As said elsewhere it's not within my remit I'm afraid.

How long is the "scarf" before it is made into the cap comforter?

@blueband8114

4 жыл бұрын

Timothy Terrell, unless you have a pencil neck, it would be the shortest scarf you can imagine

@dearthworm

4 жыл бұрын

Mine is 31.5" x 9.5". It's a repro from What Price Glory.

We had them in the late 60s

@RiflemanMoore

4 жыл бұрын

As I say in the video still in use by some today.

Are there Any sizes in these? Mine fits really tight and I don't really have a large head size.

@RiflemanMoore

5 жыл бұрын

Indeed, one size fits all, it's my assumption that some have shrunk over time as mine is also a bit tight. That said they shouldn't be loose on the head.

@TaZ101SAGA

5 жыл бұрын

Get a bucket and just leave it stretched over it [Not too much] and get the rim wet, then leave it for ages. Worked for me.

@raybeazley9896

5 жыл бұрын

I had the same problem with my cap being tight. I was afraid to wet it and then stretch it for fear of stretching it too much. I opted to place it over a coffee can to keep it stretched, but recently I purchased a hat stretcher and when I am not using it, I keep it on the hat stretcher.

@rick8880

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for all the good ideas!

@rick8880

5 жыл бұрын

I made my cap comforter wet and stretched it over a bucket. It fits perfect now! Thanks for all the help and greetings from holland!

During the Second World War, the RN issued a dark blue "Cap, Comforter" to my father. He brought it home to Canada after his "demob" and wore it into the 1970s, by which time moths were having their way with it.

I was issued one when I joined the Army in 1980. We didn't form it the way you did, I'm sure you are right from a historical and reenactment perspective but that's not how we were wearing them

in the 90's we would leave the center longer and fold it under the outer edge to stop you looking a muppet.

@RiflemanMoore

5 жыл бұрын

Others have been saying as much, thanks for the info. Good to know the difference and that they were in use that late.

@karood-dog3584

5 жыл бұрын

@@RiflemanMoore When head overs came on issue they were used for the lads on Selection but they were not really as good as the old style and took more effort to look good and not unravel

We had to wear these as a recruit before we ‘earned’ our beret …

@chrissheppard5068

2 жыл бұрын

.and why we were Nods........cos Noddy wore one as well.

Pretty sure these are still used by commando trainees

Great video . . . It’s all beneath the bottom of the screen 😂😂😂🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️

This is not how we wore them in the Royal Marines.

@RiflemanMoore

3 жыл бұрын

Could you possibly describe the method you used? I'd be interested to know. Also what time period did you serve? I had planned a followup to show an alternative method which leaves enough of the top free to tuck it into one of the folds at the side, which makes for a slightly neater appearance.

@stevep9221

3 жыл бұрын

Sure, I was in training from the Sept 78 to June 79 and left as a Sgt Maj. That was how long training was then. At that time we always tucked the flap on top back under on the other side. You do mention that. I have noticed in recent pictures recruits in training (Nods) are wearing them more like you have shown. I think they changed the pattern and it seems a bit thicker. Also, if you are re-enacting WW11 then the way you have shown is more keeping to the period. Finally, training was a funny thing. Our DL probably showed us what he wanted and god help you deviated by 1mm. I think that although discipline is still as good as it ever was they may concentrate on other things a little more now.