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South African Police (SAP) 2ND PATTERN Camouflage Flap Cap (Original) with badge
The South African Police (SAP) 2nd Pattern Camouflage is a fascinating piece of Southern African history. It represents a shift from purely urban policing to the paramilitary requirements of the Border War (19661989) and internal security during the late apartheid era.
1. Historical Context
The SAP 2nd Pattern was introduced in the late 1960s/early 1970s to replace the 1stPattern (which was more of a "spot" or "frog-skin" design).
While the South African Defence Force (SADF) used the famous "Nutria" brown uniforms, the Police maintained their own distinct camouflage identity. This pattern was famously worn by:
SAP Counter-Insurgency (COIN) units.
South-west African Police (SWAPOL).
The elite Koevoet (Counter-Insurgency)units during their early years.
2. The Orange" Lining: A unique design feature of the Flap Cap (and some jackets) was the bright orange "Day-Glo" inner lining. This allowed policemen in distress to turn their cap inside out so that South African Air Force pilots could easily spot them from the air during Search and Rescue or"Casevac" (Casualty Evacuation) operations.
3. Legacy and Phase-out
The 2nd Pattern remained in service until the early 1990s. Following the 1994 transition to democracy, the South African Police Service (SAPS) moved away from paramilitary camouflage to a more traditional blue and "bunny ear" pattern to distinguish the new civilian police force from the old military-style unit.
4. These caps are highly sought after by militaria collectors in South Africa, Europe, and the USA.
5. Size - 56
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