{"product_id":"original-wwii-british-civil-defence-arp-pattern-68a-black-wool-beret-1942","title":"Original WWII British Civil Defence ARP Pattern 68A Black Wool Beret – 1942","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 15pt;\"\u003eAn exceptionally clean, 100% original Second World War British Home Front \/ Civil Defence Pattern 68A beret, manufactured in 1942 by A. \u0026amp; J. GELFER – The prestigious Glasgow-based military headwear manufacturer. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 15pt;\"\u003eThis iconic piece of wartime headgear was introduced in July 1941 to provide a comfortable alternative to the Brodie steel helmet for Home Guard and Air Raid Precautions (ARP) personnel during non-combat duties.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 15pt;\"\u003eUnlike post-war civil defence items that shifted to navy blue, this genuine wartime example is made from authentic, heavy-grade black serge wool with a stitched internal black cotton lining.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 15pt;\"\u003eExcellent vintage condition. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 15pt;\"\u003eThe black serge wool remains incredibly rich in colour. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 15pt;\"\u003eThere is no visible moth damage, tracking, tracking lines, or fraying along the edges. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 15pt;\"\u003eThe black cotton liner is fully intact, firmly stitched, and shows minimal historical wear. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 15pt;\"\u003eThe factory stamps are remarkably bright and completely unblemished by sweat staining. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 15pt;\"\u003e Size is approx. UK 6 3\/4 (55cms).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003eThe photographs are of the actual item and form part of the description. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 15.0pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; color: black; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;\"\u003ePlease examine the photographs carefully and if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"Haywards Antiques \u0026 Collectables","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57227157602569,"sku":null,"price":65.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0736\/5437\/0569\/files\/BEAD38E7-42D5-4754-A994-40CD30D8A4C7_1_102_o-Photoroom.png?v=1785339934","url":"https:\/\/haywardsantiques.co.uk\/products\/original-wwii-british-civil-defence-arp-pattern-68a-black-wool-beret-1942","provider":"Haywards Antiques \u0026 Collectables","version":"1.0","type":"link"}