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.
1851 London UC Colt Pistol and Holster to E Troop
Here we offer a great opportunity to own an 1851 pattern Navy London Colt issued to the Canadian Militia in 1856. The Gun rates a 2+ on the scale for antique firearms and is accompanied with an original UC issued holster. This particular pistol was issued to "E" Troop Upper Canada (UC) Militia located in Richmond Hill and known as the Oak Ridges Troop of Cavalry. This troop was raised in 1853 and was confirmed as a Troop of Active Cavalry in the 1855 Militia Act. It was active working with and training with other troops in the area, including the Toronto and Markham Troops, and was originally part of the York County Cavalry with these troops. The York Cavalry broke up and the troops continued to parade independently through the 1860s all taking part in the Fenian Raids patrolling the Niagara Frontier with these pistols and their issued 1853 sabers. In 1866 the Toronto Troop was designated the Governor General's Body Guard (GGBG) and in 1871 "E" Troop and Markham Troop formed the 2nd Hussars, later the 2nd Dragoons, with 6 other troops with that Regiment. In 1889 the M&D decided to rationalize the Cavalry in UC and Markham and Oak Ridges troops, local Toronto units, were transferred into the GGBG, mainly to strengthen the GGBG into a Regiment. Today the troop is perpetuated by the Governor General's Horse Guards. 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. The wood grip is original and is well marked with E-UC-16. The Barrel is clean and suffers little wear. All parts are with the same serial number, however the wedge has not been inspected, but these are often replaced. The holster is in rough shape with chunk of the original patented black leather chafed off and the flap rather stiff. It is marked on the inside E-UC-12. Same unit, different rack numbers. A nice set for a serious collector of period Militia firearms.
5th Battalion Canadian Militia
Volunteers have served since the regiment's inception in Montreal on January 31, 1862, as the 5th Battalion, Volunteer Militia Rifles of Canada.3 The rise of American military strength during the Civil War concerned Canada. The government authorized formation of militia regiments. Each of six Montreal Scottish chieftains responded by raising an infantry company for the 5th Battalion. Eventually, eight companies were raised to form the Battalion. This is the 1876 Helmet Plate for the Battalion with all of it lugs intact. A great example.
1876 Officer\'s Binocular Case
Offered here is one of the rarest pieces of NWMP kit. The set includes the pouch with Officers gilt badge and brown leather shoulder belt with adjustable brass shoulder buckle. The badge is anchored properly with its original nuts and has a distinct foot print into the leather surface suggesting it has been there forever. The gilt leafed anchors on either side of the pouch have two swivel loops to feed the shoulder belt though to wear on the left shoulder, the binocular case resting on the lower back. The case lid is secured shut with a securing strap buttoned to contain the binos in their pouch when riding or running. It is worn mounted or dismounted, set comfortably to allow it to drop to the side for ease of access to the optics. There are a few minor issues with this example, first the leather face suffers minor cracks and the thread for the leather hinge holding the leather lid to its leather case have rotted away as a result of poor climate controls, secondly the red liner is no longer tight to the body of the inside of the pouch, needing some conservation. Otherwise, this example is in very good condition and could be displayed on a tunic. A very hard piece of kit to find and an acceptable, rare, fine example. Binoculars are not included.
Royal Irish Constabulary Badge of Merit Award
These badges were instituted in the 1840s specifically for the RIC. This is a rare silver badge often accompanied with a chevron with a name and date of the recipient or the name on the obverse of the badge. These badges are given to Constables for great deeds of courage in the line of duty, examples include; saving lives from drowning or action in battle with rebels. This particular example is not marked to anyone and it has a breast pin for wear on a tunic, rather than mounted using lugs on a piece of black leather. It appears the device may have had lugs at one time with faint marks or footprints at the twelve, six and nine o'clock points on the reverse. These badge have been sold at auction for $2000 or more named. This one is priced as an unnamed example.
1876 Officers\' Bullion Cartouche Pouch and Broc
Offered here is another very rare and desirable artifact of the NWMP, the Officer's Cartouche Pouch. This item is another customary piece of equipment worn by the Military, at first designed to carry ammunition, later a more decorative device. The Canadian Militia cavalry were reformed and dressed as Hussars in the 1860s into the early 1870s. As a para military mounted force the NWMP adopted the Hussar uniform as well. Hussars in Britain wore Cartouche Pouches in fancy embroidered bullion thread insignia, usually very lush and expensive. The Hussars were considered the dandies of the Cavalry and dressed to kill. Thus it makes sense that the Mounties would adopt a similar form of dress and its accoutrement. This example shows age wear and a bit of soiling expected of an item over 150 years old, but its is in great condition, the bullion is tight and in good form, the lace is bright and remains in good shape along with the royal blue velvet backing. The leather is supple and in good condition, the flap is firm and opens without the potential for breaking off. The fastener tab is present and works. The side swivel fittings for the belt are original and complete. The brown shoulder belt is in good condition overall, shows age wear, but functional and supple. The gilt buckle set on the belt are in great shape and the tabs ends are not torn and fit the pouch swivel loops. The gilt lace on the belt is come away from the leather in some places, but otherwise tight and lightly soiled or tarnished. This lace is the earlier pattern worn with the early 1876 Hussar style uniform. One of the most attractive pieces of NWMP kit worn by officers and a masterpiece of craftsmanship. An early version of this item in fine condition. A must have for the serious collector.
NWMP Sabretache
Here is a rare opportunity to own an original NWMP sabretache complete, badge and all. An extremely rare and desirable accoutrement with original finish and parts. The bimetal 5" tall badge is stamped, not cast, and mounted on the outer flap of the pouch with the correct brass nuts. The Shaggy buffalo head on the badge is in silver separate to the body and attached to the center of the badge with three pins on the back. Originally this large wallet was a military accoutrement that dates back to the late 18th century. The sabretache was carried by all ranks in the Cavalry. When a soldier sat in his saddle the pouch and sabre would hang on the left side for easy access. The soldiers had plain pouches, and the officer's typically had two patterns, one was ornate, made with bullion thread, the other was plain black leather with a badge. The RCMP were organized as a para military force and adopted the traditions of the cavalry, including this accoutrement. However, the issue of these items was limited to Officers only. The pouch served as a portable office, with maps, orders, paper and pen, it served as a writing board and a file cabinet. Messages would be carried in these pouches by soldiers or officers on dispatch duty. A practical item that could be used by the NWMP as well. Likely a NWMP Officer would carry regulations, pen paper, orders and warrants in these pouches. Here is an opportunity to own one of these rare accoutrements still in excellent condition. The buffalo head still has much of its silver wash, the brass body is undamaged and still retains most of its gilt finish, the four securing posts on the inside of the flap remain with their original washers and nuts in good condition and not tampered with. You can see how the crown is imbedded into the leather finish leaving a distinct foot print in the black lacquer finish of the outer flap, indicating its been there forever. flaps and body in good shape and not tampered with. However, there is a D ring for the hanger missing on the right side, The hanger is still with the pouch and requires a conservationist to reconnect the ring. There is some surface cracking and mild heat blistering, common to blackened leather artifacts stored without proper climate controls. This is the lesser of the issued officers pouches, the earlier pattern have two pockets, this one only has one on the inside as an economy measure. A beautiful object to add to any NWMP collection.
NWMP Dress Sword Belt
Offered here is a beautiful example of a NWMP Sword belt c.1876. Later patterns would be far more ornate, this pattern has two bullion stripes top and bottom on a brown leather belt. The two piece spoon buckle has an outer ring that reads "NW Mounted Police Canada" the locking half of the buckle having an attached badge of the shaggy buffalo head on an all gilt background. These buckles are often numbered on the back, but not all are. There are no numbers on the back of this buckle, but its always been there and it meets all of the criteria of an original belt with the wear and aging you would expect. There is a backing flap behind the body of the buckle to highlight the item and protect the scarlet tunic from the brass. The belt furniture includes three D rings to hang the Sabretache straps and two stitched on, hinged sword straps with stud leather connectors to carry the sword. A handsome belt with all its parts, and a rare accoutrement. See picture of Sam Steele and his staff wearing this belt with the 1902 dress uniform.
NWMP Sabretache Badge
This is the granddaddy of them all. An extremely rare and desirable badge with all the markers of an original piece. The bimetal 5" tall badge is stamped, not cast. The Shaggy buffalo head is in silver and attached to the center with three pins on the back. These marvelous badges were worn on a leather pouch known as a Sabretache, a military accoutrement that dates back to the late 18th century. The sabretache was carried by all ranks in the Cavalry. When a soldier sat in his saddle the pouch and sabre would hang on the left side for easy access. The soldiers had plain pouches, and the officer's typically had two patterns, one was ornate, made with bullion thread, the other was plain black leather with a badge. The RCMP were organized as a para military force and adopted the traditions of the cavalry, including this accoutrement. However, the issue of these items was limited to Officers only. The pouch served as a portable office, with maps, orders, paper and pen, it served as a writing board and a file cabinet. Messages would be carried in these pouches by soldiers or officers on dispatch duty. Likely a NWMP Officer would carry regulations, pen paper, orders and warrants in these pouches. Here is a rare opportunity to own one of these badges in top drawer condition, the buffalo head still has much of its silver wash, the brass body is undamaged, three of the securing posts with their original washers and nuts remain in good condition, with the forth post on the bottom missing.
Governor General\'s Foot Guard Officer Sword c.1
A beautiful period sword for a Foot Guard officer with mint etched blade. The Scabbard has wear and some minor corrosion, with the two hanger rings. The Etched blade has a banner mid point that reads "Governor General of Canada Foot Guards" and the opposing side has the Governor Generals emblem, a Lion with Crown, over the Guard's Star. In the hilt is a star relief between the rails of the hilt, similar in manner to a a hunting horn found on Rifle Regiment swords. A beautiful Canadian sword to one of the top regiments of its day.
NWMP Band Badge c.1897
Offered here is one of the rarest badges in the hobby. Few have seen one, but they did exists and is described in full detail in Klancher's book (page 218; 11-16) on RCMP Insignia. This badge is identical to the one used on the Sabretache in size (5") and design, but is manufactured simply as a single pressed brass badge with screw back anchor bolts and barrel nuts to attach to the pith helmet. They were introduced for wear by the band and were made in small quantities, the band only being 25 or so members. This particular example has its original anchors in place, two with the original nuts. The badge has a slight curvature to form to the front of the helmet and the anchors bend in slightly too to pull the badge to the body of the helmet for the right fit. A very nice patina and the detailing is sharp and crisp. Impossible to copy from the Sabretache due to the buffalo head's lower profile and seamless fit to the body of the badge within the motto belt. A badge for the colector with everything.