Any Canadian battledresses out there?

[Wouter J]

As my interest lies mainly with Canadian militaria, and specifically units that liberated Deventer, (Canadian Scottish, Royal Winnipeg Rifles, Regina Rifles, Queens Own Rifles, 17th Duke of Yorks Royal Canadian Hussars and Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa) I would like to see any Canadian battledresses you might have. I still only have one, it's originally mounted and named to a major with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles. The upper part has been originally altered and the major crowns are of exceptionally high quality. He even added extra stuffing in the shoulders, probably to make him look bigger! The 21st insignia are made with silk thread. He was attached to 21st Army Group HQ. After the war he ran a hotel in Paris, which he had bought with money and valuables that he had 'found' somewhere in Germany. He died in the 1970's in Toronto.

Cheers,
Wouter

[Mk1rceme]

Here is my Regina Rifle Regiment Display that I did for Remembrance Day 2008 at the school in my town. Picture is a bit distant to get the whole mannequin. All original WWII uniform and webbing complete with Sten SMG.

Dale

[Wouter J]

Hi Dale, are the insignia originally mounted as well?
Cheers

[Mk1rceme]

Hi Dale, are the insignia originally mounted as well?
Cheers


Normally the Regina Rifles did not wear the 3rd div. patch in battle but the patches on this BD are original to the blouse. This one belonged to a Warrant Officer class II so I can only guess that they wore the division patch as well. This blouse is going to have some preservation work done to it soon. At some point the blouse was stored in a humid environment and the buttons have rusted and transferred some of the rust to the wool and patches on one arm. I hate to do it but all the buttons will have to be removed, the blouse cleaned, and rust free buttons sewn back on. I have been given the go ahead by other collectors who believe it is worth the effort.

I will post the results when the blouse is done...wish me luck.

Dale

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Dale, welcome to the forum! Thanks for sharing the BD with us.

I would honestly urge you not to do anything to the blouse.

Cheers, Ade.

[Jeroen]

I Agree, the value would be less because someone "did" something with the blouse. Although the value for yourself would be the same!

Jeroen

[Mk1rceme]

I somewhat agree with your comments but this BD is in some serious need of preservation. Already three buttons have come off due to the rust. Basically there was no more wool for the stitching to hold on to...and the other buttons look like the same is true. There is also a few fairly large rust bleed patches on the front of the BD where the buttons were laid across the BD while being stored(not by me of course). It's killing me to know that the rust is slowly eating this BD into oblivion.

And just to clarify...The Bd is mounted on the mannequin with the buttons undone. The BD is closed with safety pins. I don't dare tug on the buttons in their condition.

Some collectors have said it would be the right thing to do but I'm still up in the air about it. I normally would not get within a mile of a dry cleaner with anything from my collection but I really believe it needs some TLC...although I am reluctant to do it. Quite the conundrum.

[Mk1rceme]

Some more...

The pic of the right arm of the BD shown looks a lot brighter and cleaner than in person. There is a lot of dirt and grime on this BD.

The only issue that me and some other collectors have had with this one is the WOII patch above the service chevrons. Myself, I have never seen a red WOII patch on a BD. Some have told me that rifle regiments have different ideas when it comes to their uniforms. Still up in the air about it though.

[Mk1rceme]

One more...manufacturers stamp.

[Jeroen]

Wel if its in a state, that it is rotting if you dont preserve it, i would restore it or sell it. But thats the worst option i think. I did dry-clean a british p37 wool top, and i must say it turned out wunderful. It was also very dirty and had a white shine all over it. Even the paper label was "preserved"after the dry-clean. They told me the wool was thick enough. If your BD is very thin in wool, i would not dry-clean it, it may does harm to the wool.

The red WOII patch wouldn`t concern me at all. If seen these also in riffle green. Al original WW2. It looks fine to me.

Jeroen

[Wouter J]

I wonder why do you think the Reginas didn't wore the 3rd Div patches? I know of an original mounted BD to a 1st Lt. of the Reginas with French Grey patches sewn on, and it would be unusual for an entire regiment not to wear the division patches.

[Mk1rceme]

I wonder why do you think the Reginas didn't wore the 3rd Div patches? I know of an original mounted BD to a 1st Lt. of the Reginas with French Grey patches sewn on, and it would be unusual for an entire regiment not to wear the division patches.

Sorry, should have been clearer on that post. What I meant to say is some of the RRR's didn't wear the division patch. There is photo evidence of this and I've also been told by a vet who has recently passed on that this is true. Don't know why, failed to ask him.

[Wouter J]

That's the same with almost all of the regiments, I've got some pictures here with members of the Canadian Scottish on them wearing only the CANADA titles, and there are lots of pictures with soldiers wearing only division patches, or CANADA titles.

[Loupie1961]

my small contribution to the thread...

http://worldwarmilitaria.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3738

[Darrell]

Here is a couple of my uncles BD.

[Darrell]

a few more: