Cap Tallies - A Brief History
by Danny Siggers

Apart from the really obvious fakes doing the rounds on the collecting market, there are just a few other ways to spot what could possibly be a costly purchase: The 1960's brought about many reproductions onto the market, mainly to coincide with the 20th and 25th Anniversaries of the ending of WWII. The call from veterans for tallies from their old ships grew and so did the amount of reproductions.

Below is a small example of what to look for on the rear of a tally, a tally from "HMS Hood" that shows the same weave as the HMS Roebuck tally is typical of the post-1980 reproductions whilst a 1960's example would look the same on the back with a similar weave but no full stop.

HMS RAMILLIES Pre-WWII, complete with full stop after name.

HMS ROEBUCK Pre-WWII, complete with full stop after the name

HMS ROEBUCK Post 1980's style

HMS RAME HEAD Post WWII style - full stop no longer used

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Other issues to think of is the issue of "HMS" tallies during times of conflict, the same rules apply with regards to the reverse of any tally - check the weave.

• RNDQ's (Royal Naval Detention Quarters) use to issue "HMS" (both post & pre war weave) to guests of the establishment and these have/are sold on to collectors as WWII issue.

• Crews joining some STUFT ships (Ships Taken Up From Trade) during the Falklands conflict were issued with these types of tallies and not HMS Farnella, Junella etc...

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