The Portuguese won their African empire wearing chain mail and armor; 400 years later they sailed away wearing camouflage fatigues. Among the elite of the Portuguese units were the Caçadores Especiais (Special Hunters), a hand-picked, highly-motivated group of light infantry trained for counter-guerrilla operations. They were the first units in the Portuguese Army to wear brown berets and camouflage, and the beret quickly came to denote their elite status. This Portuguese Angola War COMMANDO BROWN WOOL COMBAT BERET is in very good condition, with some crazing and flaking to the sweatband, a bit of dark spot soiling to the red tie at back, and with some light overall age wear evident (ALL pictured). Otherwise, the beret is in fine shape, with no other damage to the tough brown wool construction. Most interestingly, it's a Size 54 (US Size 6 3/4), boasts the classic Portuguese red and green silk sizing ties at back, and carries the original "BOINA / MILITAR / DE / O.G.F.E." Portuguese military nomenclature label under the clear plastic "diamond" hair guard inside. It sports an elegant black leather sweatband, black silk lining, and matching black silk covered badge backing stiffener at the interior front crown, features two brown finished metal ventilation grommets at the right crown, and is a fine example of a rare, original Portuguese Angola War COMMANDO BROWN WOOL COMBAT BERET. We have shown a photo of Portuguese troops in Africa; the soldier at right wears a similar brown wool beret. Now celebrating a quarter century on eBay. Buy with confidence and please view our other great military, aviation, and Old West classics, including a very rare, original USMC Marine US WW2 5TH MARDIV IWO JIMA "DELTA" STYLE "HERCULES" FIGHTING KNIFE in good condition, sporting the classic mottled blue and black plastic handle with an integral guard and pommel, and exhibiting the classic 5th Marine Division "V and spearpoint" insignia hand carved into the lower front body of the scabbard.