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COMMONWEALTH HEADGEAR OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR

#CD912 Queen’s Own Rifles Wedge Cap
Original pre-WWII Queen’s Own Rifles (QOR) of Canada rifle green wedge cap. This is the type of headgear members of the QOR wore when they departed overseas from Borden in 1940, prior to being later replaced by the standard wartime Field Service Cap. The cap is constructed from high-quality “Rifle Green” wool featuring red piping, toorie, and two QOR buttons. The original pre-war white metal QOR cap badge has been on the cap forever, with no traces of anything else being on the cap, we have left it as-is and made no attempt to remove it. This example is in genuine service worn condition, there is some light scattered moth tracking but not enough to distract from how nicely it displays. We have previously handled identical caps that have come directly from QOR Second World War veterans. This is very desirable cap that will be a welcome addition to any collection. $350 *On Hold*

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#CD911 North Shore Regiment Beret
Original WWII North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment of Canadian beret. The base beret is a standard Canadian Army issue example, manufactured by Dorothea Knitting Mills Limited of Toronto in size 7 1/8 with C broad arrow stamp. The cap badge is original period mounted, with the period authorized red backing material, showing clear evidence of being there for a long time. Great original badged example. $250 *On Hold*

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#CD926 Canadian Postal Corps MKII Helmet, Combat Grade, Named
Original WWII Canadian Postal Corps (C.P.C.) MKII helmet. Named to Lieutenant Lucien Lavoie, No-0884, C.P.C. with a period label inside the shell that shows real age and patina. This is a combat grade helmet, with smooth non-magnetic manganese steel and riveted chinstrap bales. On the front of the helmet is a red “W” that is very interesting. This is one of the helmets occasionally observed without makings or a lot number applied, but is almost certainly produced by the Canadian Motorlamp Company based on construction features, it is complete with all the factory components including V.M.C. 1942 (Viceroy) liner indicating it is early production, chinstrap, crash pad, and MKII helmet nut. Examining the bolt, it appears to have never been taken apart. The helmet is in excellent lightly worn condition, without any signs of cleaning or tampering. Background; During the Second World War, the Canadian Postal Corps delivered millions of letters and parcels to and from military personnel, earning the nickname “The Morale Department”. It was long hours and hard work, from unloading mail in England, to getting it to the front lines. Expand your MKII collection with this very special helmet. $265 *On Hold*

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#CD899 Canadian MKII Helmet with Hessian and Scrim Helmet Net
Original WWII Canadian MKII combat helmet with hessian cover, camouflage net, and scrim. This helmet recently came from an estate in Canada's National Capital Region, where many military members have worked and retired. We don’t have any information from the estate aside from that one of the family members served in the Army. There’s no way for us to know when the hessian and net was applied, whether it’s the WWII period or the early post-war years when the same equipment was still used, but it was definitely done during military service a long time ago and is exactly as found. When you have an antique netted helmet, once you take it off, it’s essentially ruined to a certain extent because it will never go back on the exact same way - so beware before you risk ruining an untouched artifact. For these reasons, we are leaving this helmet as found and not checking for lot numbers or markings that might be under the cover, there could be something interesting but we really don’t know. What we know about the base helmet is that it has the correct riveted chinstrap bales for combat use, factory paint where visible on the interior, the correct chinstrap, liner (No visible markings) and correct MKII helmet nut all covered in the same patina. The net is a standard WWII issue two-tone example, with the often encountered oil cloth scrim, with strips of hessian also applied. Great looking helmet that is ideal for a combat mannequin or combat helmet display. $325 *On Hold*

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#CD854 RCOC MKII Helmet
Original WWII Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps MKII helmet with original period applied decal flash and camouflage textured paint. GSW 1941 dated shell, with riveted chinstrap bales intended for combat use, and VMC 1942 dater liner. Service used, in as-found condition. Great helmet. $650

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#CD796 Canadian MKII Combat Helmet, Lot 1
Original WWII Canadian MKII combat helmet. The helmet is a standard Canadian example intended for frontline soldiers with riveted chinstrap bails. This is an extremely early example produced in 1940 by the Canadian Lamp Company, and was part of lot number 1, the very first lot off the assembly line for issuing. These super early production shells feature a C broad arrow stamped on the exterior of the shell near the rivet for the chinstrap bales. It also features the correct liner, bumpers, factory chinstrap, padding, and MKII helmet nut. The helmet is exactly as found, in genuine worn condition from long service. It appears the helmet may have received an additional coat of paint to the exterior while in service, and it’s possible the liner was also switched in service considering this helmet was likely used for five years of the Second World War, but it is untouched and as found. The only provenance we know about this helmet is that it was previously sold by a Canadian dealer (The Collectors Guild) many years ago. All the components appear uncleaned and untouched, with a fair bit of dust and dirt that has never been cleaned. This is a rare opportunity for an advanced MKII helmet collection. $350

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#CD095 MKIII Combat Helmet, Dark Camouflage Paint
Original WWII British MKIII helmet with dark camouflage paint, as used by the Canadian Army in Normandy and Northwest Europe. The base helmet is standard wartime British MKIII helmet with high rivets. The helmet markings in the steel are too faint to read under the factory texture paint which is normal with these. Great example, ready to complete a mannequin or helmet display. *Reduced* $275

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#NN7 Canadian Two-Tone Helmet Net
Original WWII Canadian two-tone helmet net. Standard example in worn condition, ideal to complete a worn condition helmet. Complete with the original string. $45
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#GP113 MKII Helmet Nut and Bolt
Original WWII Canadian production MKII helmet nut and bolt. Excellent example with the original semi-blackened factory finish and unpolished machining marks. These can be really hard to find to complete a helmet when they are often missing. $25
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SOLD

Canadian MKII Combat Helmet
Original WWII Canadian MKII combat helmet.  Manufactured by the Canadian Lamp Company in 1942. Nicely marked, in lightly used condition. Complete with desirable two-tone net that is original to the helmet, as found when we purchased it from the son of the veteran. *Sold*
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MKIII Helmet RO&CO 1944
Original WWII RO&CO 1944 MKIII helmet with Canadian two-tone camouflage net. Helmet is in excellent condition and appears likely unissued. Original factory applied olive green paint. Nicely marked RO&CO III over 1944. *Sold*
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#CD566 Canadian MKIII Combat Helmet
Original WWII Canadian MKIII combat helmet. Standard WWII high rivet MKIII steel helmet shell, with Canadian 1943 "V.M.C" liner system and two-tone camouflage netting with scrim added. Correct MKII helmet bolt. The helmet net features original period applied scrim, and interesting bootlace repair. The helmet shell has a faint name / number that looks interesting but is hard to decipher. This is the perfect helmet to complete your Normandy campaign mannequin or display. *Sold*

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#CC9 Canadian Paratrooper Combat Helmet
Original WWII "Helmet Steel Airborne Troops Mk.1 (Helmet, Steel No.5)" Canadian / British paratroopers combat helmet. Excellent condition and very lightly used example produced by Briggs Motor Bodies (BMB) in 1943, in size 6-7/8 (About a medium by period standards, these were made as small as 6-3/8). The helmet features a non-magnetic steel rim, with a leather, web, and sorbo liner and four point leather harness. The helmet would have left the factory with a pad glued to the interior of the steel shell, but in most cases the glue quickly gave way and the pad quickly fell out, the remnants of the black glue still remains, another pad could be added. The orange sorbo material padding for the liner is in surprisingly excellent condition, often times the sorbo has turned black and stained the leather in these helmets. Includes original Canadian two-tone helmet net that is snugged down on the helmet having been on it a very long time, we have left it in place and undisturbed. This is an excellent example of a paratrooper helmet used by Canadian and British airborne forces. *Sold*

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#CD541 Canadian Two-Tone Camouflage Helmet Net with Original Scrim
Original WWII Canadian two-tone camouflage helmet net with original oilcloth scrim period attached. Standard issue item seen in many period photos being worn by Canadian, British, and even American soldiers in Europe. Very uncommon to find with original scrim. *Sold*
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1944 Airborne Maroon Beret
Original WWII 1944 Airborne maroon beret. Used by Commonwealth Airborne forces include 1 Canadian Parachute Battalion. Manufactured by Kangol Wear Limited, and dated 1944 with War Department and British broad arrow stamps in a standard period size 7 1/8. Still has remnants of the original paper label. Both grommets remain snug in place and the leather grommet protector inside the beret remains intact. The beret surfaced in Canada and came without a cap badge, we suspect it belonged to a 1CPB member as a brass 1CPB cap badge seemed to fit well in the existing mounted holes done by the original owner. Lightly period worn condition. *Sold*

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#CD251 48th Highlanders Glengarry
Original WWII Canadian 48th Highlanders Glengarry. Worn by Ross W. Heron, with some additional information on the reverse of the photo. We have not done any research past what is presented here, but this could be a potential research project to learn more about the veteran. Excellent true original example with nicely backed cap badge that has been on there forever, with information and photo of the vet wearing it. *Sold*
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#CD813 North Shore Regiment Beret
Original WWII North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment of Canadian beret. The base beret is a standard Canadian Army issue example, manufactured by Dorothea Hats Ltd. of Toronto in size 7 1/2 with C broad arrow stamp. The cap badge is original period mounted, with the period authorized red backing material, showing clear evidence of it being completely untouched since 1945. The soldiers wife Mrs. F.W. Walsh had the beret dry-cleaned by Halifax Steam Laundry Limited in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and that cardboard receipt has been used as a backing material to stiffen the beret behind the cap badge. This receipt with name and address has research potential. Great original badged example with very special details. *Sold*

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#CC14 1944 Airborne Artillery Maroon Beret with Officer's Cap Badge
Original WWII Airborne Artillery maroon beret with embroidered officer's cap badge. Produced by the maker Supak Manufacturer Ltd during 1944 in size 6 ¾. Inside the beret with the makers information the WD stamp is also still present with the “M” date code above. The bullion officer's cap badge is in excellent condition snugged down into the maroon wool in period fashion. The beret overall is in excellent condition, showing just minimal service wear. The leather binding is in nice condition and the silk ribbon is still present, with old knot from when it was adjusted to the original wearer's head. Both non-magnetic grommets remain snug in place and the leather grommet protector inside the beret remains intact. A nice solid original beret in excellent condition. Very desirable. *Sold*
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#CC11 1945 Glider Regiment Maroon Beret, Wartime "Economy" Cap Badge
Original WWII Glider Regiment maroon beret featuring wartime "economy" plastic cap badge. Produced by the maker Kangol Wear Limited during 1945 in size 7 1/8. British broad arrow stamp is also still present on the interior. The cap badge is a nice condition plastic "economy" version that is undamaged and appears original to the beret, settled down nicely into the maroon wool. The beret is service worn, this one definitely didn’t just sit in a drawer during the war. Both of the berets non-magnetic grommets remain snug in place, and the leather grommet protector inside the beret remains intact. Part of the silk ribbon is still present, with an old knot from when it was adjusted to fit the original wearer's head. A nice solid original beret that is very desirable in this condition. *Sold*

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#CD349 1943 Rocky Mountain Rangers Beret
Original WWII Canadian Rocky Mountain Rangers beret. This is an original set, untouched with original cap badge that has been on it since the war. The beret is a British made example from Kangol Wear Limited, dated 1943, in size 7. Presumably purchased or issued and worn by a soldier of this battalion while overseas and then for the trip home. *Sold*
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#BS164 The Regina Rifle Regiment Beret
Original WWII The Regina Rifle Regiment Canadian beret. This is an untouched set with original cap badge that has been on it since the soldier came home at the end of hostilities. The beret is a Canadian made example by Dorothea Knitting Mills Limited in Toronto, and dated 1945. *Sold*
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#CD556 Le Régiment de Maisonneuve Beret
Original WWII Canadian Le Régiment de Maisonneuve beret. The beret is manufactured by "GRAND'MERE KNITTING COMPANY LIMITED" of Canada and dated 1944, featuring faded white C broad arrow stamp. It is in worn condition without any mothing or damage, period tied at the rear to fit the soldiers head. The cap badge is a typical enlisted members cap badge of the period. The beret is exactly as found when we purchased it, with original cap badge that appears to have always been with it and is well worn into the wool. This beret was likely worn coming home at the end of hostilities. *Sold*

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#CD619 1944 Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps Beret
Original WWII Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps (RCAMC) beret. Nicely maker marked Canadian made example from the famous "GRAND'MERE KNITTING COMPANY" produced in 1944, in a size 7 1/2. Original cap badge still in place, in just lightly worn condition. *Sold*
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#CD318 Royal Canadian Dragoons Armoured Beret
Original WWII Royal Canadian Dragoons (RCD) armoured beret. The base beret is British manufactured example issued to Canadian soldiers overseas with faint broad arrow and 1944 date. Nice original cap badge, original set that was found together and we have left undisturbed, cap badge is sunken down into the beret with some signs of old Silvo white residue. Issued and used example. Great set. *Sold*
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#CC10 Canadian Paratrooper Maroon Beret with Original Cap Badge
Original WWII Canadian paratrooper's maroon beret with original Canadian Parachute Corps brass cap badge. The maroon beret is an English made example produced by Kangol Wear Limited in size 7, with broad arrow and 1945 date. The beret is in good lightly worn condition, with just a few small moth nips on the top shown the photos. The brass Canadian Parachute Corps cap badge is the variation produced by the firm MacKenzie-Clay which was located about an hour from Camp Shilo, and the badge features the original flat stamped metal lugs unique to this maker. The cap badge has the expected sharp details under the parachute canopy, and around the maple leafs, there is some remnants of white "silvo" from period polishing (Could be wiped off) we have left the cap badge undisturbed / uncleaned exactly as found. The cap badge and beret have clearly been worn together, the cap badge is well embossed into the felt of the beret leaving no doubts. This is likely the beret the member wore home at the end of hostilities. Excellent set. *Sold*

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#CD638 Canadian MKII Combat Helmet with Two-Tone Net
Original WWII Canadian MKII helmet with original Canadian two-tone camouflage net. The helmet is a standard Canadian MKII combat helmet with riveted chinstrap bails. It was produced in 1942 by the Canadian Lamp Company, and was part of lot number 72. It still features the original 6 and 7/8 size 1942 V.M.C. liner, factory chinstrap, padding, and correct MKII helmet nut. The net appears to have been on the helmet a long time and we left it as-is in order to not disturb it. Excellent condition complete example that would be great for any collection. *Sold*
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#JM17 HSAT Paratrooper Helmet with Scrim Net
Original WWII HSAT (Helmet Steel Airborne Troops) Mk.1 (Helmet, Steel No.5) Canadian / British paratrooper combat helmet. Excellent condition and very lightly used example produced by Gimson & Slater (G&S) in 1943, in size 6-3/8. The helmet features a non-magnetic steel rim, with a leather, web, and sorbo liner with four point leather harness, the often missing crash pad is also still present. The orange sorbo material padding for the liner has turned black, this is typically encountered with all genuine worn examples. The original factory applied camouflage paint matches the shade of other helmets by this maker. All the nuts and bolts are untouched, showing oxidization and clear evidence they haven’t ever been removed. The helmet features a camouflage net with original scrim applied in period fashion, the consignor reports this is how it was found and we have left it completely undisturbed. Excellent example of a paratrooper helmet used by Canadian and British airborne forces. *Sold*

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#CC24 1944 Parachute Regiment Officer's Beret
Original WWII Parachute Regiment officer’s beret. The beret itself is a 1944 Kangol Wear Limited in nice large size 7 5/8, still featuring the original paper tag, string, and grommets without any modifications aside from the mounting of an officer’s quality cap badge. The high-quality parachute officer’s cap badge is manufactured by “LUDLOW LONDON” and marked accordingly on the reverse, we very carefully removed the cap badge to show the details and put it back exactly how it was. The cap badge is well mounted in period fashion with an interesting brass stiffener. Scarce beret and cap badge in excellent condition. *Sold*

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#CD759 Canadian 8th Reconnaissance Regiment Armoured Beret
Original WWII Canadian 8th Reconnaissance Regiment (Commonly abbreviated VIII Recce) armoured beret with English made officers quality cap badge. The armoured beret is manufactured by "Dorothea Hats Ltd" of Toronto, Canada and dated 1943, in size 7 and featuring white C broad arrow stamp. The cap badge is an English made officer grade example, with multi-piece construction. It is in lightly worn condition without any mothing or damage, period tied at the rear to fit the soldiers head. The beret is exactly as found when we purchased it, with original cap badge that appears to have always been with it. This beret was likely worn coming home at the end of hostilities. A very rare beret and cap badge. *Sold*

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#CD761 17th Duke of York's Royal Canadian Hussars Armoured Beret
Original WWII 17th Duke of York's Royal Canadian Hussars armoured beret. The beret is manufactured by "Dorothea Hats Ltd" of Toronto, Canada and dated 1944, featuring faded white C broad arrow stamp. It is in lightly worn condition without any mothing or damage, period tied at the rear to fit the soldiers head. The cap badge is a typical enlisted members cap badge of the period. The beret is exactly as found when we purchased it, with original cap badge that appears to have always been with it and is well worn into the wool. This beret was likely worn coming home at the end of hostilities. *Sold*

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#EC204 102nd Battery, RCA, Flashed Dispatch Rider Helmet, Gnr W.T. Yates
Original WWII Dispatch Rider helmet with 102nd Battery Royal Canadian Artillery flash worn by Gunnar William Truman Yates. Gnr Yates served as RCA Dispatch Rider, which is why he was issued this type of helmet and why it is flashed accordingly. Gnr Yates regimental number is also period painted inside the steel skirt. The helmet is maker marked and was produced by Briggs Motor Bodies (BMB) in 1942, in size 7. The helmet is true used “been there” condition, showing the expected wear from front line service after Gnr Yates disembarked in France July of 1944. The helmet is in true untouched condition and never cleaned or messed with. This is a top example with real documented history, flashed Dispatch Rider helmets with provenance are seldom observed and rarely ever offered for sale. Gunnar Yates complete 21 page service file (Obtained by CEF research service through Access to Information) will be provided. *Sold*

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Canadian M1 Helmet Grouping, Art Botter, Brockville Rifles
Original WWII Canadian M1 helmet group that belonged to Rifleman Art Botter of the Brockville Rifles. Art deployed to Jamaica for garrison duty, and the island housed evacuees, refugees, internees, and prisoners of war. The Canadians were issued some American equipment including early fixed bale M1 helmets. The group consists of the helmet, wedge cap, shoulder titles, and special very limited unit history for those who deployed to Jamaica. The helmet is named to Art in several places and is the helmet he wore for his deployment. It has never been cleaned or messed with in any way, and is exactly as discovered. The wedge cap is a wonderful 1943 Canadian made example, with the original cap badge and backing felt that has never been removed, and it is also named. There is also a nice pair of metal shoulder titles that were attached to the wedge cap with a piece of string when discovered. You will be able to research Art and his wartime experience a lot more using the book, there is even a photo of him in the book wearing the wedge cap! There are also many photos of the soldiers training and wearing their M1 helmets. This is a fantastic group and unique opportunity for a Brockville Rifles collector. *Sold*

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