Rare Victorian Royal Navy dark blue ratings cap. Excellent quilted lining. Victorian cap tally HMS ORIENT.
I have tried to research the ORIENT and there is two possibilities:
1. Malta Class Paddle Tug launched as the SAMSON in January 1877 and was renamed the Orient July 1918. and
2. Orient, built in 1879 and was operated by the Orient Steam Navigation Co (orient Line) on the UK-Australia route. During the Boer War Orient was used by the Royal Navy as a troopship and renamed HMS Orient with a number 24 on her bow. Her last voyage took place in 1909.
The cap is in very good condition for its 126 years of age.
This sailors cap is more than likely from the second possibility as the ship was renamed HMS Orient same as the cap tally.