4th Nigerian Infantry 82nd West African NOS and 47 similar items

A really great opportunity to pick up on something truly scarce. The period hat itself as made by top shelf outfitters Hobson Sons was used by other Commonwealth forces including the Republic of Ireland. But the shiny bright buttons are the pre-Independence version of the Nigerian National Coat-Of-Arms with eagle at top, steeds at the sides, shield with Y shaped division, and motto "Unity And Faith" at bottom. The 82nd West African was composed of Army regulars bolstered by new recruits from Ghana and Nigeria. After several stints of training the division was attached to the XV Indian Corps and saw action in the third Arakan campaign in Burma in 1944. The hat appears to be NOS ("New, Old Stock") as there is no crest attached and the inside looks unworn. The buttons are loop backs and are sewn on. On top at about 5 O'clock there is a moth hole through the top (only the thin felt layer) that is a couple of nibbles big. It is not bad and it is not a difficult repair, all you do is scrape some fibers from the same felt on the inside under the band and affix them in place. But most people would not be bothered by it, if they could see it to begin with. The visor front, the band, the larger webbing band, the rest of the cover is all undamaged. Looks a little old but not any wear.