US Navy cap 'Tallies'

[Tekweni]

Hi All

I recently acquired these two USN cap tallies / ribbons. I was not aware that the USN used these as the white 'sailor's hat' has nowhere to attach them. I have since seen a couple of photos online of sailors with a black hat with named ribbons, so it appears they did use them at times.

Can anyone help with information please?

Thanks in advance, cheers,

Alex

[Cobra 6 Actual]

It looks like some have been cut, shortening them. The way the uncut ones are affixed to the “Donald Duck” hat was by tying them, like this:

 

[DD937]

The bow is generally separate from the tallie which is stitched behind each side of the bow.

[Tekweni]

Thanks. When were these used? Does the USN still have a dress where they use them?

[29navy]

On 10/27/2024 at 2:02 AM, Tekweni said:

Thanks. When were these used? Does the USN still have a dress where they use them?

No. They stopped these in 1963.

[sigsaye]

On 10/26/2024 at 8:08 AM, Cobra 6 Actual said:

It looks like some have been cut, shortening them. The way the uncut ones are affixed to the “Donald Duck” hat was by tying them, like this:

 

The bow was a separate piece of the Ribbon, ( Tally is an RN term, USN called them Ribbons), was then cut to fit, centering the wording across the front, with the ends tucked under the bow. Then stitched down.   B

[Tekweni]

Thanks very much.

Yes, the purist Royal Navy collectors also only call these 'cap-ribbons', but the common term is tallies.

Is there any value to these ones? I mostly collect cap badges so will likely try to move them on.

Cheers,

Alex

[sigsaye]

5 hours ago, Tekweni said:

Thanks very much.

Yes, the purist Royal Navy collectors also only call these 'cap-ribbons', but the common term is tallies.

Is there any value to these ones? I mostly collect cap badges so will likely try to move them on.

Cheers,

Alex

The ribbons with anything other than “US Navy”, were dropped in 1940-41. The US Navy ribbon then became standard and remained in use until 1963. I had a friend who was in the last recruit company to receive them, August 1963. Generally, the “Generic” ribbons, were only sewn under the bow, as they were considered temporary. During the time of the Ships named ribbons, the ribbon was sewn all around top and bottom edges.
 

as for terminology. I was corrected by guys who wore them. I also find that using the correct terminology helps with researching items. I do know what collectors call things, I just prefer to use the terminology that used by the military.