Turkish officers fur hat???

[Brian Calkins]

I have just purchased what I think is a Turkish artillery officers hat. Any opinions out there? I need to find some confirmation one way or the other.
Thanks.

[Tosun Saral]

Yes it is a artillary officers hat worn during the Balkan Wars and at the beginning of the WW1.The hat must belong to an officer between the rank of major-Col.
Officers during Balkan war with 2 different typs of hats the fez and the kalpak.(yours is called kalpak)
Artillary officers during Balkan war.

[Tosun Saral]

Officers of WW1 with Kalpak.

[Brian Calkins]

Thanks for the reply and the information. Are you determining his rank by the type of braid? How about the leather interior. Is this typical of Turkish kalpaks? I own five Imperial Rissian papakhas and have seen many others. None have had a leather lining of this type.

I really can't believe my good fortune. I have been collecting WWI headgear for over 30 years and I have only seen two other pieces of Turkish headgear for sale and I'm not certain they were authentic.

Thanks again. I was hoping you would respond. Reading this forum, it is obvious that you are very knowlegable on this subject.

Brian

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The fur hat (kalpak) was first issued during Abdulhamid's rein to artillery and cavalry officers only. The rank can be determined from the epaulettes: up to major plain with stars, major and above knotted cord. The service branch can be deduced from the colour of braid on top of the kalpak+