Rare Australian Convict Cap with Board of Ordnance Markings

A rare Australian convict cap, circa 1803 - 1820. Port Arthur,…
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A rare Australian convict cap, circa 1803 - 1820. Port Arthur, Tasmania. This example has two clear markings of 'B O' (board of Ordnance) and broad arrow. What is also particularly nice about this hat is that it was donated in 1922 with inscription, 'Presented by Mr. Archie Johnstone Board House' and 'Convicts cap Pt. Arthur 1922' on the inside of the cap. The origins of this leather cap can be traced back as an early British army off-duty or fatigue cap used circa 1803-1820. Reference: W. H. Payne's scenes of Camp life, Published 1803. As both the army and convicts were supplied by the board of Ordnance, the surplus of these caps (once obsolete) soon fitted out the convicts ready for transport to Botany Bay

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  • Circa - A Latin term meaning 'about', often used in the antique trade to give an approximate date for the piece, usually considered to be five years on either side of the circa year. Thus, circa 1900 means the piece was made about 1900, probably between 1895 and 1905. The expression is sometimes abbreviated to c.1900.

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