This is a selection of several unique and iconic pieces of headgear from the Boer War to the present day:
WW2 Canadian group belonging to Native Veteran James Lavalley. The group includes his 5 WW2 service medals, two 1995 Native veterans medals, his legion beret, several photos, Native veterans pins, and his 2004 obituary. Not included in the picture is his large unit photo.
Complete Royal Canadian Navy group belonging to J.H. Tanton (V-12301). Group includes his tommy helmet, officers visor, both his naval tunics, various patches and insignia, a larger Royal Canadian Navy flag, his personal photo album, and other various items. This group was given to me by family friends to display, and no medals were included. A very nice example of a complete and untouched group with photographic records and a wide variety of militaria.
WW1 Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) 13TH Tunic with broad arrow -> 1914 dated trench cap. Uniform is named to Pte Henderson (415506) who was wounded in his left leg during 1916, and spent a considerable amount of time in hospital for injuries. Uniform complete with kilt, medical documentation, captured German lighter and dogtag, military pass and photos. Note gold wound stripe on sleeve.
Exceptional WW1 Canadian Expeditionary Forces uniform group belonging to Corporal George Gibson (114575). Gibson signed up in Saskatoon in February 1915, and served overseas where he was wounded on August 16th 1916. Gibson survived and settled in Saskatchewan after the war, working as a truck driver and at one point was Mayor and fire chief of the town of Wiseton. The group includes a 44th C.E.F tunic and officers cap with matching cap badges/collars, and a Canadian Light Horse tunic with 19th Alberta Dragoons insignia, buttons and cloth regimental badge. The C.L.H. tunic comes with pants and puttees, and has the War Department mark on the interior of the jacket. Interestingly, the 44th C.E.F tunic belonged to one of George’s many brothers- Charles, Bob, Alex, Peter, James and John. Several of his brothers died during World War One, and the tunic is unnamed. Canadian WW1 uniform groups are seldom found complete with history relating to them, making this a very special group.
WW1 American officers visor cap, turned into a trench art cookie tin.
Canadian Scottish Regiment headgear, shoulder board, and various cap badges. This particular hat was worn by a Canadian Afganastan war veteran and was given to me by the family with no name attached.
American Vietnam era Huey helicopter pilots helmet, with adjustable flight goggles.
RCMP Royal Canadian Mounted Police captains forage cap. Note cap badge and gold rim on visor.
RCMP Royal Canadian Mounted Police 1966 dated forage cap with cap badge.
RCMP Royal Canadian Mounted Police 1961 dated forage cap with cap badge.
WW2 1942 dated Afrika Korps pith helmet with both original metal insignias.
WW2 German Heer Army NCO officers peaked visor cap- note white piping.
WW2 German Luftwaffe NCO officers peaked visor cap – note red piping.
HJ Girls Uniform and Bund Deutscher Mädel (BDM) group, belonging to Elisabeth Spauke. This complete group includes Elisabeth’s uniform, HJ pennant, cap with HJ diamond insignia, family letters, documents and passes with photos, pins, belt, knot and various other items. All items, even her original shoes, came in her WW2 era backpack. Note rare Hitler Youth female JM pin, RZM tagged belt buckle. Named Hitler Youth uniform groups that are complete are extremely rare.
WW2 German Hitler Youth Bund Deutscher Mädel (BDM) flag pennant. Note Hitler Youth diamond symbol on one side and unit marking “JM.BAD WILDUNGEN” on reverse.
WW2 German Veterans visor, worn by veterans of the First World War.
German M34 pattern Reich Luftschutz Bund (State Air Protection Corps) helmet
WW2 German M42 Luftwaffe Single Decal Helmet. Helmet liner has manufacturers mark and is named, note wear to decal.
WW1 Imperial German M1910 infantry Feldmutze Cap.
World War One German gas mask captured by Canadian soldier and brought back to Canada. The name “Mende” is visible on one of the straps.
WW1 Imperial German 1915 dated Pickelhaube spiked helmet, with Imperial German belt buckle. Note differences from 1914 model, and remaining metal chain on front.
This model is named to the German who owned it and his regimental marks are also present. This was purchased from the Granddaughter of the Canadian Veteran who captured it, who also wrote his name on the interior.
WW1 Imperial German 1914 dated Pickelhaube spiked helmet. Note insignia on front and large iconic spike on top.
World War Two American M1 Front Seam Fixed Bale Helmet with original chinstrap and liner
Post WW2 Canadian grouping, consisting of U.N. blue cap, U.N. medal. badge and photos- belonging to CPL Joe Chenier who served in Cyprus.
WW2 Canadian gas mask dated 1942, with C-> markings on reverse.
WW2 British child’s gas mask, with original yellow container.
World War Two Australian Slouch hat with cap badge, dated 1941 with the soldiers unit number “15024” on the interior. Note large Ostrich feather included with the hat.
WW2 dated 1st Canadian Parachute Corps beret, with original Canadian Parachute Corps brass cap badge and 1st special service forces insignia. This beret is named, and part of a larger collection belonging to a Canadian veteran paratrooper and member of special forces. The cap was produced in 1943 and the cap badge was made in 1945- he replaced his cap badge during the war as he polished his other badge so much it broke.
WW2 dated Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) flight helmet with original goggles and oxygen mask, named inside helmet.
World War Two Canadian R.C.A.F. (Royal Canadian Air Force) Officers Cap
WW2 dated Canadian Air Force wedge caps, including RCAF and Air Cadets. Note differences in insignia.
World War Two Canadian “Prince of Wales Rangers” Wedge Cap
World War Two Canadian “Edmonton Regiment” officers peaked cap in excellent condition, made by Burberrys.
WW2 dated Canadian Artillery peaked officers cap. Wheel on cap badge spins as it is an officers pattern badge.
Post WW2 dated Rocky Mountain Rangers beret, dated 1946.
WW2 dated Canadian Ordinance Corps beret.
World War II “Lincoln and Welland Regiment” battledress tunic and matching beret.
1944 dated “The Westminister Regiment” Canadian battledress tunic, with matching beret.
WW2 New Brunswick Rangers of Canada battledress with matching Beret, note design on cap badge.
WW2 New Brunswick Rangers of Canada 1945 dated and C-> marked beret.
WW2 Canadian “Turtle” Helmet, used on D-Day landings
WW2 dated Canadian dispatch riders helmet.
WW1 Canadian Brodie helmet, with green diamond insignia to the Canadian dental corps painted on each side.
WW1 Canadian Brodie helmet with unit insignia, 1st Canadian Division. Note red insignia on front.
Gas Mask
WW1 Canadian “5TH WESTERN CAVALRY” trench cap with cap badge, note markings on interior.
1914 dated British/ Canadian busby fur hat, with large cap badge on front. This hat came complete with a named Irish Fusiliers of Canada sleeve insignia.
WW1 Canadian Khaki peaked cap with standard “Canada” maple leaf cap badge insignia
Very rare Pre WW1 New Zealand Slouch hat with lions head attachment clip. One side of the hat can be folded upwards and clipped on to the clip on the lions tounge.
Boer War British Artillery Pith helmet.
World War One German “Baden” Pickelhauben Spiked Helmet. Marked to Grenadier Regiment 110.
World War One German M16 Stahlhelm Helmet. Maker marked “BF64” with original liner.
Exceptional WW1 Canadian Expeditionary Forces uniform group belonging to Corporal George Gibson (114575).
Gibson signed up in Saskatoon in February 1915, and served overseas where he was wounded on August 16th 1916. Gibson survived and settled in Saskatchewan after the war, working as a truck driver and at one point was Mayor and fire chief of the town of Wiseton.
The group includes a 44th C.E.F tunic and officers cap with matching cap badges/collars, and a Canadian Light Horse tunic with 19th Alberta Dragoons insignia, buttons and cloth regimental badge. The C.L.H. tunic comes with pants and puttees, and has the War Department mark on the interior of the jacket.
Interestingly, the 44th C.E.F tunic belonged to one of George’s many brothers- Charles, Bob, Alex, Peter, James and John. Several of his brothers died during World War One, and the tunic is unnamed. Canadian WW1 uniform groups are seldom found complete with history relating to them, making this a very special group.
