Quote Originally Posted by svc40bt View Post
Let me start by saying I own neither a beret nor a balmoral. That said, I have examined both a US Army spec black beret, and looked at balmorals being offered for sale by vendors at highland games. Other than the trim, they did not strike me as being very different. They were both soft felt with a crown larger than the band. Now I have never seen them side by side. Is there some difference in blocked shape or crown size? It seems to me a beret with a swatch of tartan and a cap badge would look very similar to a balmoral with the same.
See below picture for examples. (TOP feft to Right, then bottom left to right)

IMHO a "Militery Baret", is not the same as an actual Balmoral.

1 A military beret is smaller = 9 1/2" diam. & is in it's current isue "blocked" for the "flash" The one I am wearing is my 1960 SF ( and is unblocked)

2. A "standard " Balmoral = 10 1/2" diam.

3. A current Brit. issue Tam O Shanter (TOS) = 11" diam.

4. A WWII & prior Brit issue TOS = 12" diam.

5. A "period" TOS = 14" diam

Hope this helps
PUFFER