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.
Mr John PA Sproule DLS Corps - NW Canada Medal
John Sproul was entitled to the Saskatchewan Bar, but the medal offered here is without and appears to have had a jewelers copy added instead. A rare and unique medal to the Dominion Land Surveyors who were being utilized as Intelligence gatherers. They would be referred to as HUMINT today, locals acting as human intelligence agents for the government. Copy of documentation included.
Pte CH Anderson 57 RCD - QSA with Ghost Dates and
Pte Anderson recieved his QSA with 4 bars. The medal has ghost dates and is in overall good condition with one knock and a grey patina. The coming home Toronto medal is named as well with replaced ribbon.
Pte A Simpson 7985 RCR - QSA 4 bar
Pte A Simpson joined joined the RCR from the ranks of the Montreal based 3rd Royal Canadian Artillery. He was present at the Battle of Paaderberg and was severely wounded on the 27 February 1900. The 4 bar medal has a knock or two and is in good condition.
Fenian Raid 1st Battalion New Brunswick Militia Of
We offer here a rare uniform to an officer in the Fenian Raids serving circa 1866. The Tunic cut and design is unique to this province. The blue facings identify the uniform to the 1st Bn. The collar rank is that of a Lieutenant, the officer sash is correct for this era and it is closed with silver officer VR cypher buttons. The cap is unique to the NB Militia as well, with its boxy shape, flat peak, scalloped stitched front with a crown insignia, Canada Militia buttons and gold bullion chin cord. The cap is in good condition, no mothing and its original liner. The tunic has suffered some moth nips on one cuff, the rear right shoulder and some of the white piping. The liner has some as well with a few minor tears. There is some surface tracking on the front right shoulder, the top of the front pocket and some on the rear tail. The tunic has been stored outside the last few weeks in -10C temperatures killing any possible larvae. Although the mothing is evident, it does not detract from the uniform and is of little consequence to such a rare tunic. This uniform can be found in the Osprey Men at Arms Series book on the Fenian Raids, Canadian Campaigns. If you are from NB this is for you!
1896 Infantry Officer Serge 5 Button Frock Coat
Offered here is an excellent example of an Infantry Officer private purchase frock coat for the field. This tunic replaced the braided patrol jacket in 1896 and remained in service until the First Word War and were eventually phased out by Khaki Service Dress. It was worn on field exercises and the RCR wore them on their Yukon security task. Many officers reported to Halifax wearing these tunics before their issue of khaki clothing for South Africa in 1899. The Sam Brown would be worn with this uniform along with the white cork helmet. This particular example is to a Captain and is in perfect condition, maintaining its bright red colour. Its high quality liner is in excellent condition. A quality garment with Officer Victorian Militia buttons, with two chest pockets that are not pleated. No indication collar dogs were put on this tunic. These details would put this tunic about 1900 or earlier. Collar dogs were not approved until 1900. It can represent any of the line infantry regiments in the militia during this period.
WWII Airborne Canada Flash
The first standard flash for all airborne personnel serving in the Canadian Army. A must have for any collector of Canadian flashes and those airborne collectors. This one was worn and removed from a tunic and glued to a display board. Remnants of glue on the back.
A Presentation Trench Art Cross For Captain A.T. S
Here is a very poignant trench art commemorative item presented from a soldier of the 60th Bn to a family as a memorial for their lost son. An 18 pounder shell is split and cut in the form of a wood cross typical of those used in the fields of Flanders. On the back it reads presented by Pioneer Sgt J. Connors of the 60th Bn. On the front it reads "In Loving Memory of Capt the Honorable A.T. Shaughnessy of the 60th Bn, Killed in Action", below "RIP" on the post and on the base reads his date of death "21th March 1916". The base of the shell acts as a cup for either a candle or flowers. Both these men from Montreal have Irish names, the Catholic Church played a prominent roll in peoples lives in those days and this artifact is much in the Catholic tradition. A very nice piece. Capt Shaughnessy was born 1897 in Montreal, a student of McGill University, he was KIA at the age of 19. The 60th Bn was in action from 1915 to 1917 with the 9th Bde, 3rd Div, CEF when it was pulled out of the trenches and replaced by the 116th Bn due to very high losses.
Antique 1851 London UC Colt Pistol to \"C\" Tr
Here we offer a great opportunity to own an 1851 pattern Navy London Colt issued to the Canadian Militia in 1856. Serial number 28572. The hand gun rates a 2 on the official antique firearms scale, or a 3- on the NRA scale. This particular pistol was issued to "C" Troop Upper Canada (UC) Militia located in the Hamilton area and known as the Wentworth Troop of Cavalry. This troop was confirmed as a Troop of Active Cavalry in the 1855 Militia Act. It took part in the Fenian Raids patrolling the Niagara Frontier with these pistols and their issued 1853 sabers. The troop did not see action against the Fenian Army. In 1871 "C" Troop would join seven other troops in the "Golden Horse Shoe" region to form the 2nd Hussars, later the 2nd Dragoons. The odd feature to this piece is the carved name and unit on the right hand side of the wood grip. The name is to a Lt C.H. Cannon of the 10th Royals (10th Royal Grenadiers). This Lieutenant is listed as a member of that unit from 1865 to 1867 and he did serve as the Adjutant during the Fenian Raids. It is unclear how this came into the possession of an Infantry Officer, unless he acquired it later in life once these firearms were decommissioned in 1885. These firearms were tightly controlled and its unlikely he would have access to it in 1866 as an issued item, further, as adjutant, he probably remained in Toronto during the 1866 deployment. The pistol is in good condition with a working mechanism. The etching on the cylinder is visible and the lettering is sharp with British proof marks. There is a crown over 2 on the right grip. The wood grip is original and is well marked with C-UC-49 on the left side. The Barrel is clean with distinct rifling and suffers some pitting and little wear. All parts are with the same serial number, however the wedge has no number and does not completely secure in its port, but these are often replaced. This antique was passed down through the family and has only just come onto the market. It had been stowed in an attic and suffered neglect. It has cleaned up well and now functions with all the grease and surface corrosion removed. There are areas on the pistol that show some pitting on the barrel, the loading arm and some dents on the right side of the receiver. It looks like some one took a tool to the pin aperture causing some damage. A nice issued piece, the first issued pistols to the Canadian Army. (The holster that came with this pistol was marked to another troop and has been sold separately.) This is an antique percussion hand gun and does not require a PAL.
Antique Native Trade Flintlock Pistol by Ketland a
These attractive contract pistols were originally introduced as trade guns, but were later used by the Indian Department to gain favour with the natives as gifts in Upper and Lower Canada during the War of 1812. The Department had been supplied by the crown with these pistols, sword hangers, trade muskets and silver gorgets and arm bands to distribute in order to gain allies for the colonial defense. It is not clear that these pistols or the swords were well received by the natives, but the muskets and silver were certainly taken into use. It is thought that the swords and pistols were eventually handed off to the Militia for use by Officers and Cavalry. Some versions of these pistols have been found with modifications more conducive to Cavalry. This particular example is in its original form and stamped on the lock plate Ketland and Walker, a well known manufacturer of these guns during this period. There is also a Broad Arrow with crown stamp above the maker name. The barrel is proof marked and there is a GR over 1800 stamp in the grip behind the lock plate. The wood stock is original, in overall good condition overall with typical wear, a dent or two and its finish intact. The brass fittings and lock plate are original to the piece as well as the heavy lock, equipped with a flint. The brass fittings show some wear and the mechanical function of the gun works. The ram rod is likely a replacement, but typical of the form. The barrel is in nice condition with a nice brown patina. A nice representative flintlock pistol that was meant for service in Canada.
A HAWKER HURRICANE CONTROL COLUMN SPADE GRIP, 1940
An amazing piece of aviation history in just this single object. Cut from the cockpit of a Hawker Hurricane, this control column with its fire switch is a summary of the most important aerial battle of the second world war, the Battle of Britain. We must not forget these aircraft accompanied bombers over Berlin and strafed the battlefields around Normandy to win the war. A great piece of kit for the serious Air Force collector. If you can't own the aircraft, this certainly is an alternative and can fit in your collection room no problem. It says it all!