WW2 British RN Navy HMS Cap Tally Full Length

The WW2 British RN Navy HMS Cap Tally Full Length is an authentic textile item originating from the Royal Navy during the Second World War. A cap tally is a black ribbon traditionally worn on the sailor’s cap, featuring the ship’s name or “H.M.S.” (Her Majesty’s Ship) woven or embroidered in gold lettering. The full-length tally typically measures approximately 36–38 inches, allowing it to be tied securely around a sailor’s cap in the prescribed fashion. This type of cap tally was standard issue for Royal Navy ratings and was an important part of their uniform, serving both as an identifier of the ship’s company and as a recognized symbol of naval service. Wartime examples frequently display variations in lettering style, material, and construction, reflecting changes in manufacturing during the war years. Original cap tallies such as this remain significant artifacts for collectors interested in British naval history and military uniforms.