Green Beret

The Green beret without much military knowledge I would immediately associate with British royal marines. 

This beret is however khaki not green so probably from another regiment of the army.

A quick search online for khaki berets brings all these just for the UK alone, Foot Guards, Honourable Artillery Company, Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment, Royal Anglian Regiment, Royal Gibraltar Regiment, Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, Royal Welsh, Yorkshire Regiment, Mercian Regiment, Special OP Battery Royal Artillery. 

Bt the way this a loaned air-soft gun, it's not real, although a pretty substantial weapon I have no idea how close it mimics the real thing.

Berets are cheap and easy to make and have been the default headgear for many military groups since the later part of the 20th Century

South American General

This hat made me think of some South American Military General, but it is probably nothing of the sort

Its some form of military field cap but from what army I can't say as it was found at second hand market

I've scrolled through hundreds of images of hats trying to pin it down, but when you don't know one military from another finding the correct place to look is hard.

The badge is red white red horizontal stripe which I thought might make it Austrian, but that does not appear to be the case.

The buttons at the front should undo to provide a way holding the cap on in windy weather, but in this case they seem to have a purely decorative function.

Ballistic Helmet

Whilst this helmet was sourced from a army surplus store its not really a military helmet as far as I known, its some for reproduction tactical helmet probably used for airsoft or paintball or similar

Its does offer some protection though its not marked as being to any particular standard

Syriyka Cap

When trying to find out what this was I went through many thoughts on where to start, a winter cap for some Soviet block army, but this lacked insulation so I had 2nd thoughts, so the mask was for something else perhaps it was for desert sand storms, turns out I was near enough on the mark.

This is Soviet Russian Afghan war Syriyka Cap with Face mask or near enough.

Also known as kepka-afganka its made of study cotton

This cap was first used in Syria hence Syrika Cap and as a detachable wind proof mask to protect the neck and face, probably used along with googles.

Thanks DanR for this cap.

French Foreign Legion Hat

This is a reproduction Kepi Hat from a ex BBC drama prop box and cost me £2

The Kepi hat is most commonly associated with the French army, french police or american civil war.

The badge, colours and style of this one as far is as I can tell make it a copy of a WWII French Foreign Legion Kepi Hat.

The term Kepi is french word which respelled from German word Kappe, which means Cap.

Serious Russian

This trapper style hat did start its life with a hammer and sickle badge on the front and was advertised as a Russian Army Style Winter Hat, which is what it is.

Made of fake fur which covers the outer surface, its built around a trapper style hat design with ear flaps and ties for under the chin, that are ideal for what I imagine Russian winters are like

This Russian can be fun.

Perhaps he can't ear well with flaps down.

 But is quickly serious again in to keep up his appearance.

Time For Tea

Drinking earl grey tea from a fine bone china cup in the middle of war with the Zulu's then you need this hat.

This white Pith Helmet was used by the British Foreign Service and the British Army in the Zulu Wars. A replica of the helmet worn by the British 24th Regiment of Foot during the Anglo-Zulu war of 1879.

Made famous in the film 'Zulu' depicting the Battle of Rorke's Drift where 150 soldiers fought off 4000 Zulu's.

Taller than other Pith Helmets its the origin of the British Police helmet

A Capital hat is it not

Un Béret

The Beret is a hat I could associate with the French, but that is only a small part of its many roles, this is a hat with many strong associations which I've pointed out below

I started with the French but if you go back to its origins it can be equally be Spanish or Scottish were they are called Scottish Bonnets, notable the Tam-o-shanter.

The hat I'm wearing is one I associate with the French with little pip of fabric in the centre.

The Beret is a round flat, soft hat were the fabric overhangs the headband on all sides equally. 

Berets can be handwoven, made of lightweight wool felt, crocheted, knitted or modern fibres.

The Beret as far as I can tell started with Basque shepherds in the 17th Century and was then mass produced by the French and Spanish in 19th Century.

They are used as military hats, the Blue Berets of Scotland in the 17th Century, The blue berets of French forces in 18th Century, American Special forces called Green Berets, the red berets of the British Parachute regiment and many other military groups.

They are also the hat of revolutionaries, most notably the image of Cha Guevara, The black berets of the black power movement in the United States, The black Berets of the IRA, and one I knew nothing about the brown berets of the Chicano Movement which wants parts of the United States returned to Mexico, and many more.

Grand Bascinet

This what I would call a Grand Bascinet or Battle Helm

This style of Helm was from around the period of 1450 so was worn from the end of the Hundred Years War with France and just before the War of Roses kicked off.

Made by the great armourer David Hewitt of  White Rose Armory in his early learning years, his stuff is full on museum quality today.

I have no picture of me in my full armour wearing this helmet, last worn in battle I believe at a re-enactment of Jack Cades rebellion in 1450 or 1990 in the real world.

The helmet is designed to fix firmly to the back and breast plate, it offers no head movement other the limited movement from space inside the helmet, I found this not my cup of tea for foot combat while you feel pretty invulnerable, you need to be constantly twisting your shoulders to see what is behind you and this effect good balance and your fighting stance,  I much prefer a beaver and sallet.

The helmet hinges apart for access as can be seen above.

Vision is not bad actually you mainly see through the vent holes.

Union Army Cap

Union Soldiers Kepi, also called a McClellan Cap according to the Wikipedia

This hat has a square leather peak and sunken round top.

This hat was a present brought back by my Mum from the gift shop in the Abraham Lincoln Museum, when she visited Illinois in America a few weeks ago. 

The hats is not a bad quality reproduction apart from the plastic badge on the front. 

Steam Punk Explorer

This Pith Helmet was purchased new from a re-enactment market, and is ideal for any explorer character. 

I have photographed this one with me as steam punk type adventurer complete with my steam punked rifle.

Pith Helmets are designed for humid climates, they are light weight and practical.

They include ventilation in crown via simple holes

The top button is also designed to allow ventilation as can been seen from the photo above and photo below taken from inside the helmet showing where the button bolts on to the helmet.

Another feature is the chin strap which most of time forms a decorative feature on the brim, but when windy can be brought down and fasten under the chin.

The hat is covered with cotton and includes a adjustable lining which forms a sweat band.