Tally (cap)


The tally on a sailor's cap is a ribbon usually bearing the name of a ship or some other establishment to which he belongs.
Practice varies with each navy, though a conventional tally is black, with a gold or yellow inscription. The inscription may be simply a ship's name, the name of the navy or a longer name such as "Red Banner Baltic Fleet". During World War II the ship's name would often be omitted from the tally as a precautionary measure against espionage.
Likewise the manner a tally is fastened onto the cap varies with each navy. For example, the British tie it into a bow on the left side; the Germans and Russians tie it at the back, leaving behind a pair of streamers; while the French stitch it onto the cap like an ordinary cap band.
Occasionally the tally's colour may vary from the usual black.