Sold Gallery
These pages display a number of the rare items that I have had the pleasure of selling. To view more details and a larger photograph please click on the thumbnail picture.
Lorne Scots Glengarry Badge
An attractive post war badge with lugs.
Lord Strathcona Horse Dragoon Helmet c.1912
A desired helmet for collectors of Cavalry or Canadian Headgear. Brass helmet with the original red and white plume unique to this unit. The liner is complete and all the hardware is functional and intact. The badge is slightly raised from the helmet, but secured and fitting the post holes. Chin strap included with its backing.
Royal Grenadier Commemorative Flag 1885
Offered is a one of a kind canadian Ensign flag constructed and stitched by the loving hands of the Ladies of Toronto as a presentation welcome home gift to the 10th Royal Grenadiers (now the Royal Regiment of Canada). This Battalion played a key roll at ending the uprising in spring of 1885 at Batoche by leading the charge on the Metis entrenched positions with two other Battalions. The flag was presented to the battalions in a ceremony on its return to Toronto from Saskatchewan. Although it wasn't with them in the field, it was a great honour to receive it as a gift from the City recognizing and commemorating their sacrifice and success in the operation. The 10th was one of the main City Corps of Toronto. The flag was hand stitched by the Ladies, including the Battle Honor Batoche and Fish Creek, with the ensign details painted on the white disc. It is a work of art. The flag is in need of conservation and should be carefully framed by an expert. It has some splitting and fraying with some water stains. A unique piece of Canadian History. Comes with its original storage box and history. Note: It is wrapped in cloth and around a large cylinder to keep it stable. Pickup is preferred, shipping rolled will be costly. If shipped folded it will be less expensive, but there is risk of more damage. Contact me directly for preferred shipping.
Royal Grenadier Commemorative Flag 1885
Offered is a one of a kind canadian Ensign flag constructed and stitched by the loving hands of the Ladies of Toronto as a presentation welcome home gift to the 10th Royal Grenadiers (now the Royal Regiment of Canada). This Battalion played a key roll at ending the uprising in spring of 1885 at Batoche by leading the charge on the Metis entrenched positions with two other Battalions. The flag was presented to the battalions in a ceremony on its return to Toronto from Saskatchewan. Although it wasn't with them in the field, it was a great honour to receive it as a gift from the City recognizing and commemorating their sacrifice and success in the operation. The 10th was one of the main City Corps of Toronto. The flag was hand stitched by the Ladies, including the Battle Honor Batoche and Fish Creek, with the ensign details painted on the white disc. It is a work of art. The flag is in need of conservation and should be carefully framed by an expert. It has some splitting and fraying with some water stains. A unique piece of Canadian History. Comes with its original storage box and history. Note: It is wrapped in cloth and around a large cylinder to keep it stable. Pickup is preferred, shipping rolled will be costly. If shipped folded it will be less expensive, but there is risk of more damage. Contact me directly for preferred shipping.
1897 Infantry Sword c.1900
Not often you find the 1897 with an Edwardian Crown and VR cypher mix. This is a perfect sword for a Boer War Officer uniform or at least an example of a sword of the period with its original Sam Brown Belt scabbard with tab for the frog. The scabbard leather is a dark reddish brown and in good shape. The blade is very nice with coats of arms, crowns and a very different variant of the VR Cypher. Marked with a faint Wolverhampton maker mark. The nickel plated hilt is over all in great condition with a very large, distinct VR cypher. The grip has a tight wire grip retaining a shark skin covering in great condition. A really nice sword.
Royal Navy Dirk c. 1795 - 1812
Offered here a Royal Navy Midshipman's dirk with lion mask pommel. It has an aged patina 7" blade in dagger form, with etching of a Georgian crown over a roped anchor. The Maker is Davies, likely Edward Davies who took over from David Davies shop 1796-1801. it has a Very attractive gilt floral cross guard and pommel with lion's mask. The decorative grip of ivory, suffering a crack about 2" along its length. No scabbard. A very similar example can be found of this very blade in reference "Swords for Sea Service Vol. 2" by Comd W.E. May & P.C.W. Annis, 1970. Plate 60. This cannot be shipped internationally due to ivory handle.
1874 Canteen with Carry Strap and Insulated Sleeve
This is the standard 1874 Canteen with white carry straps with the addition of a khaki wool sleeve to keep the water cool approved in 1882. No idea the campaign this may have been used in, but definitely for hot weather. With the modification date, probably Egypt. One minor small hole in Khaki sleeve, everything in great shape, with key plug still in place. Markings on the bottom read WCM over E. No idea what unit that might be. A unique piece.
RNWMP Wolseley Helmet to Deputy Commissioner Henri
Henri Gagnon. (1893-1947) was born in the North-West Mounted Police barracks in Regina, the son of Superintendent Severe Gagnon and Emma Royal Gagnon. He was educated in Montreal, and joined the militia in 1911. He served overseas in the First World War as Commanding Officer with the 69th Battalion (French-Canadians). In 1919, just before his return to Canada, he married Helen Johnston in Gretna, Scotland. They had one child, Suzanne. In 1920 Henri joined the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and over the next 27 years was stationed in Regina (1920-1923), Vancouver (1924-1927), Fort Smith (1927-1932), Quebec City (1932-1934), Montreal (1935-1942), and Regina once again (1943-1947). From November 1938 to November 1939 he was seconded to reorganize the Quebec Municipal Police. In 1943 he was promoted to RCMP Superintendent and in 1946 to Deputy Commissioner. He received the OBE (civil) in 1946, and was expected to succeed S.T. Wood as RCMP Commissioner. He died on November 19, 1947 before taking up this post. The Wolseley Helmet comes in a japanned tin caring case, marked H. Gagnon, 83rd Jolliete Regiment, a Quebec Militia unit. Tied to the handle is an original tag indicating its use with the RCMP. The helmet itself has the classic white body with dark green lining on the underside, with white pugaree, correct for both his old 83rd Regiment and the RCMP. The spike is standard pattern for the helmet or can be removed to be replaced with a white cloth covered ventilated dome cap fitting, included with the set. The RNWMP pugaree cap badge has a pin with clasp to anchor it to the pugaree cloth, rather than using the lug fasteners, a practice used by the military to reduce damage to the helmet and cloth. Although Henri joined the Force in 1920, there may have been a transition with badges. If the new owner can find an RCMP Pugaree badge would be ideal. However, this was the badge found in the tin. The chin scales are gilded brass and hang from its original interior hooks. The headband liner is soft brown leather with a proper corrugated spacer band to allow ventilation, the interior marked with a British maker label. The body is soiled and can use some cleaning. A conservator can easily bring this helmet back to life. An extremely rare helmet to a senior member of the force, a "lifer", who made a huge impact in policing, decorated for his outstanding performance. New Price.
Civil Service Rifle Cross Belt Plate
Civil Service SBP listed as MM3 in Mezeas Book Pg 54, was authorized 1866. A fine rare example with all of its screw posts. I have never seen one of these in my 40 years of of collecting. This is very large in comparison to the cap badge, over 5" long. The shako plate is about 3".
90th Bn Helmet Plate for Officers
The 90th HP267 found in Mezeas Book Pg 153, was authorized 1900. A fine example with all of its lugs.