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.
Midlothian Yeomanry Officer\'s Helmet Plate
This is one of the British Armies more attractive helmet plates and is in fine condition with its original lugs. The gilding and silver wash are still bright and apparent on the obverse as well.
78th Highland Regiment Officer\'s Belt Buckle
Another famous Highland Regiment buckle worn by officers with full dress on a brocade belt that would carry the dirk. The silver fittings are in good shape mounted on the gilded buckle plate.
Officer\'s Patrol Jacket c.1890s
This style of tunic was a favorite of Infantry and support troop officers as a field tunic in the 19th century. There are many images of Officers on field duty in photos and artists interpretations wearing these tunics with their regular pattern of trouser. The earlier patterns of these tunics did not have epaulettes, rank was indicated on the collar. This detail is seen in many images from the rebellion of 1885. Later the tunics were fitted with epaulettes for shoulder insignia after 1881, in Canada this transition was often slower than in the mother country and may explain why so few are seen in 1885 photos with epaulettes. Braid was different for each according to the service and unit custom. This was an infantry pattern, and the heavy braided knots on the front would suggest rifles, however the rank is gilt. More research is required to pin down the unit. British Hussar patterns of these tunics are different with every unit, it can be confusing, the detail difference minor. A beautiful example offered here, there are no obvious moth holes at all, some of the braid is loose on the collar and a corner of the collar has come apart, needing some minor repair. The braid is in perfect condition otherwise and the liner is excellent. An nice example that can be displayed with white officer sword belt, shoulder belt and binocular case and the early peak or Torin caps for the field. Named to a Captain Jeffersen, this actual tunic is illustrated in Clive Laws book "Scarlet to Khaki" on page 64. Very hard to find in this condition.
Custom 1796 Light Cavalry Officer Saber to an Iris
This is a beautifully preserved custom made sword and scabbard made by Archer of Dublin. The Scabbard is ornately decorated with floral design, a George II cypher and Irish harp, with clear maker's mark. The blade is near mint condition well etched. A masterpiece to add to any collection of Napoleonic era or Cavalry Swords.
Antique British .577 Snider Mk III Cavalry Carbine
Here we offer the standard Cavalry Carbine of the British Army during the late 1860s to the mid 1870s. The wood is in good condition, with some bleaching of the stain around the shoulder stock brass plate. The barrel retains its bluing and its rifling is sound, the sight is in good condition with the two leather cover retaining screws in set in place. The action works and is tight and crisp. The markings are for the most part readable and crisp with all the proper inspector marks. A nice example. This is an Antique Firearm and does not require a PAL to purchase.
LCol Grasett Dress Belt Set
We had the pleasure of selling LCol Grassett's medals not to long ago and know we offer his belt and busby. LCol Grassett was an important figure in Toronto's history having served 34 years as the Chief of Toronto's Police Force, but he was also a military man who served a long career in the Local Militia, including the Queen's Own Rifles and finally the 10th Royal Grenadiers. He lead the Grenadiers at the charge of Batoche in the 1885 Northwest Canada Campaign. Here we offer his belt set that includes the storage box and two belt with sword slings. The White belt was meant for wear in the field and features officer quality buckle with gilt fittings. His dress belt is the standard infantry officers belt with the custom 10th Grenadier Officer belt buckle attached. In immaculate condition, with supple leather and all the parts, and no stains or splitting. A great set for any collector of Victorian Canadian Militia artifacts. A classy set for show.
13th Light Scottish Dragoons Universal Helmet Plat
The HP60 found in Mezeas Book Pg 42, was authorized 1906. A fine example with all of its lugs.
Officer\'s 13th Bn Helmet Plate
The HP104 found in Mezeas Book Pg 78, was authorized 1876. A fine example with all of its lugs. Gorgeous Badge.
1st Canadian Tank Battalion CEF Officer\'s Insig
Two Canadian tank Battalions went overseas in World War 1. The 1st Canadian Tank Battalion arrived in England in June, 1918, with a strength of 92 officers and 716 other ranks, but they never saw combat in WW1. It was recruited from Canadian universities and a considerable number of both officers and men possessed mechanical qualifications. They were still training when the war ended. A rare and desirable bimetal Officer's badge with original lugs on the cap badge and intact on one of the collars, the other having a solid back and pin with clasp. Not matched in terms of backing fasteners, the two collars certainly match in appearance and facing in to each other as they should. Take note their is a left and right collar badge. A rare and beautiful set.
Senior NCO Bear Skin to the 10th Royal Grenadiers
Offered here is a Victorian era busby or bear skin to the 10th RG with its original cloth storage bag and a tin marked to an officer of the regiment for the purposes of storage. Originally ORs and NCOs wore the fusilier style busby with the grenade device, until replaced in 1895 with the Guards bear skin. What makes this an NCO style is the male fur busby measuring 9.5" at the front with a high quality grenade badge and the short 5" red over white feather plume with a gilt base. Other ranks wore male fur, with plane brass badges and stiff two tone hair plumes red over white. Officers wore a taller female bear fur 11" busby with a much longer 10" version of this red over white plume and a gilt badge and chin scales. OR fur was stored in cloth bags, where as the officers were stored in tin cylindrical storage boxes. The regiment was eventually authorized to wear the complete Grenadier Guards style of uniform before 1912. The Victorian bear skins were lined with leather to give form, around 1900 the regulations changed and the later versions were framed internally with wicker to give more form, lighter weight, more air circulation and allowed for cheaper production. The regiment stopped wearing the grenade once given permission to wear the Grenadier Guard's dress, adopting their regulations. The grenade badges were restricted to wear on the white cork helmet. This particular example of the 10th RG busby offered here is leather lined and therefore early. It has the correct brass chin scales. The japanned tin is in nice shape with its internal tin stand, named to a Major who served in the unit in the late 1890s. This tin is only included to store and preserve this bear skin. It is no clear the two items came together, they may have been mismatched as these things often do in regimental QM before it was taken out of commission.