COMMONWEALTH WWII UNIFORMS & GROUPS
#BS173 1944 Tank Crew "Pixie" Suit
Original WWII British / Canadian 1944 tank crew "Pixie" oversuit. Iconic uniform item that was used from Normandy through North West Europe. Heavyweight light khaki-coloured oversuit, features two rows of zipper fastening from throat to ankles & seven external patch pockets. Adjustment tabs are fitted to ankles and cuffs. Internally the suit is lined with khaki wool fabric and is provided with integral support braces. Still has original 1944 wartime dated tag inside the sleeve. Size No. 6, this is a large size that will fit a soldier up to 6ft, 1in to 6ft, 2in and will have no problem fitting on a modern mannequin. Lightly field worn condition with only some minor soiling and a couple small snags. Complete with all snaps and zippers in working order. $795
#CD307 Indian Airborne Officer's Aertex Shirt
Original WWII 44th Indian Airborne Division officer's shirt with original insignia for the rank of Lieutenant. The original period applied insignia includes a textbook British airborne wing (Totally correct for the Indian Airborne) and officers pin back pips. The officer has modified the shirt using some material from another shirt to make an additional interior pocket. The shirt is in excellent lightly worn condition with ink stamps still present. It's missing one button on the collar. This is a great textbook Indian Airborne officer's shirt which is extremely rare and in great original condition. This would be a good base to complete an Indian Airborne WWII mannequin or display, as the other components would be significantly easier to find. $475
#BS117 Canadian Infantry Captain's Battle Dress Tunic
Original WWII Canadian battle dress tunic. The only insignia on this tunic is a period applied set of Captain's pips in scarlet representing the infantry branch. C broad arrow marked on the interior. Period worn condition with a snag in the right sleeve. This would be a good tunic for a combat mannequin as often unit titles were stripped during operations for secrecy. Nice infantry officers battle dress tunic. $200
#BS151 South Africa Battle Dress Tunic
Original WWII South Africa Battle Dress tunic. Nice condition with just some small snags on the lower right sleeve. Tunic doesn't appear to have ever had any badges. Good mannequin size. $250
#BS119 British Army Chaplin's Sash with Ribbons
Original WWII British Army Chaplain's sash with ribbons from WWI and WWII including the Africa ribbon with 1st Army badge. Very good condition showing some genuine wear, the owners initials are on the tag and it could be possible to determine who it belonged to with research. $450
#BS152 1943 Canadian Leather Jerkin size Medium
Original WWII Canadian leather jerkin dated 1943 in size medium. Top condition example without any flaws, cannot be upgraded. Iconic item for any WWII Commonwealth uniform collection, and often seen in wear in period photos. Perfect mannequin size, we have an identical one in our collection on a mannequin. $250
#DC3 British Paratrooper Jump Over Smock
Original WWII British paratrooper jump over smock. This smock was designed to be worn over the paratrooper and all their equipment, and often discarded once on the ground. This example is in stone mint condition in a good large size 6 with original factory tag and 1945 date. $275
#CD277 Dispatch Rider Foul Weather Bib Coveralls
Original WWII Dispatch Rider foul weather bib coveralls. Constructed of heavy duty waterproof material to protect against mud and rain, with bib at front to keep the elements from going in the coat / jacket. Worn on their own or with the Dispatch Rider foul weather jacket. Near the leg seem there is a maker mark and they are dated 1941 upon close inspection of the seem. This is the only example we've ever encountered, uncommon Dispatch Rider uniform item. $100
#CD257 RCAF Airman Grouping "E.W. Chambers"
Original WWII Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) grouping to Airman E.W. Chambers. The group includes a single identification disc on the original neck string, three "Canada" shoulder titles with one being the printed canvas type produced in England, two Leading Aircraftman insignia, tiny RCAF emblem, RCAF Christmas card, New Testament, Registration Certificate with Chambers information, and personalized blue notebook with some paper still in it. Potential research project, we haven't done any further research since obtaining it. Nice affordable RCAF Airman group. $150
#CD259 RCAF Pilot Grouping "Bruce E. Betcher"
Original WWII Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) pilot grouping to Bruce E. Betcher. This small grouping was obtained from the veterans son in the 1990's by the consignor, and includes some correspondence. The group includes Betcher's flight training manual, a rare set of "Canada" and "USA" titles, and a reproduced wartime photo. Potential research project, we haven't done any further research since obtaining it. Nice affordable RCAF pilot group. $150
#CD241 RCAF & 48th Highlanders Bandsman Grouping
Original WWII grouping to a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Bandsman who was later in the 48th Highlanders band after the war. The grouping includes a really nice badged khaki drill jacket with tie and belt, RCAF pillow case and hanker-chief, RCAF grey sporran, housewife, button polisher, and various buttons and 48th Highlanders cap badges. Also included is a photo of the bandsman who it belonged to, the sporran is named but we haven't done any research past what is presented here. This has potential for more research. Great group with a really nice bandsman KD jacket and other cool accessories. $225
#CD326 Canadian Army Tank Top Shirt
Original WWII Canadian Army standard issue tank top shirt. Also used by other branches. Nice and uncommon shirt to complete your Canadian uniform collection. Looks to be standard period size Medium. $50
#CD244 British Aertex Shirt for a RAF / RCAF Second Lieutenant
Original WWII British "Aertex" fabric shirt with period applied insignia for a RAF / RCAF Second Lieutenant. Excellent condition with original maker markings present inside the collar. Missing one pocket button that can be easily replaced. $125
#DW24 Tan HBT Utility Shirt
Original WWII tan HBT utility shirt worn by Canadian soldiers in Italy. Consignor reports this shirt came from a Canadian soldier who reported he wore it in the Italian theatre, and it is believed some shirts were acquired from American stores for service there. Construction is consistent with WWII American uniform items, making use of chain stitching for the main seems. Similar British made shirts also exist, and we have priced this shirt in line with the British examples. This is the only US example we've encountered. Field worn with some minor fading, a snag in the rear of the garment has been period repaired and shown in the photos. $100
#CD239 Australian Army Khaki Drill Shorts
Original WWII Australian Army khaki drill shorts. Excellent condition, very lightly worn if at all. Factory stamps still present on the interior as shown. Size 2. $50
#CD238 Australian RAAF Shorts
Original WWII Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) shorts. Mint unissued pair with original paper tag still attached. Made in Australian in 1944. Size "1.L." for 32" waste. $100
#DW24 RCN Jumper Uniform Group "C.L. CRISSEN"
Original WWII Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) uniform group. The grouping includes; Blue wool jumper with "CANADA" titles and RCN Stoker Petty Officer badge, and is named "C.L. CRISSEN" in typical period stencilling. RCN blue square rig "Dickey". RCN white Dickey bib. RCN gunner's white cotton jumper shirt. RCN naval tie. RCN "Donald Duck" cap with HMCS talley, maker marked and dated 1944 on the interior. This is an excellent complete uniform group that looks great on a mannequin bust and is very representative of what the RCN wore during WWII. $475
#DW5 RCAF Uniform Group, Flight Lieutenant T. Irwin
Original WWII Canadian RCAF tunic and officers visor cap grouping. This grouping belonged 425 Squadron RCAF Flight Lieutenant T. Irwin, observer on a Wellington Bomber HE-733, shot down April 14 1943, over Stuttgart Germany and taken prisoner of war. The tunic is named to Irwin inside the pocket, shown in the photos. This information is included with the group on a printed sheet but beyond that we have not done any further research. The dress tunic features original applied padded Observers Wings, Canada titles, and each cuff has two white and blue stripes for the rank of Flight Lieutenant. The visor cap is in good condition showing similar light wear to the jacket with finely hand embroidered RCAF cap badge. Nice set with interesting provenance in great condition that would display well. $750
#BS147 RN / RCN White Shoes
Original WWII Royal Navy (RN) or Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) white uniform dress shoes. Maker marked and dated 1942. Size 7. Good service used pair with original laces. $125
#BS24 Canadian 1942 'Plimsolls'
Nice matching pair of Canadian manufactured 'Plimsolls' canvas shoes. These were the standard issue PT / gym shoes in khaki for the Army. Manufactured by Dominion Rubber Co. Ltd. in 1942 and marked accordingly on the interior sole of the show. The bottom sole of the shoes are also C broad arrow marked. Perfect matching pair of Plimsoll's that would be very tough to upgrade. No laces present. $125
#BS15 British / Canadian Army Officers Boots
British / Canadian Army officers boots with buckles. Manufactured by John White in 1945, M Fitt, Size 8. War department marked. Super nice condition without flaw and only lightly worn. Shown in use by members of 1 Canadian Parachute Battalion in Germany. This is the perfect set to complete your officer mannequin or display. $425
#BSB1 CQMS / Staff Sergeant Walter Hachborn of Home Hardware Fame Group
A large grouping to CQMS / Staff Sergeant Walter Hachborn of Home Hardware fame. He was born in Conestoga, Ontario on 24 July 1921. In 1939, at the age of 18, Walter enlisted and became a member of the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps in Canada. During the war, Walter's experience in Canada with material supply deemed him too important to be sent overseas to serve on the front lines. This experience is what would also ultimately allow him to co-found a hardware empire. The group consists of two wartime (1945) dated battle dress jackets and trousers and a summer khaki drill four pocket service dress. All uniforms have Canadian Voluntary Service Medal ribbons, RCOC shoulder titles, CANADA patches, rank insignia, Trade 2 patch, General Service patch and service stripes. There are also two additional shirts. Group also comes with two RCOC Coloured Field Service Caps and a standard khaki “wedge” cap. There is also an assortment of webbing (37 ptn belt, spats and housewife) and insignia to include a RCOC lanyard and insignia related to the sea cadets. Walter remained in the Army until 1946 when on returning to civie life he began work at Hollinger Hardware in St, Jacobs, Ontario. It will be his experience there that led to his desire to create a hardware empire. In 1999 he was appointed Member of the Order of Canada for “outstanding achievements and service in various fields of human endeavour.” Walter died on 16 December 2016. Group was purchased direct from the family by consignor. A very interesting and unique group to a famous Canadian. $2250 *REDUCED* $2000
One of many tributes to Walter including some interesting photos:
SOLD
#CD340 Attributed 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion Battle Dress Group
Original WWII 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion Battle Dress uniform worn by Pte Samuel Lange. Prior to enlisting, Samuel was a Canadian of German descent who was a prospector and miner by trade. Samuel volunteered for service on 28th of October, 1943, at age 27. On 12 January 1944 Pte Lange was transferred to the A-35 Canadian Parachute Centre, Camp Shilo, Manitoba. He received his Parachutist qualifications one month later and on June 1, 1944, he qualified as a 3" Mortarman. On July 8th, 1944 Pte Lange embarked for the UK to "proceed on special duty". Once overseas, he was assigned to the 1 Canadian Parachute Training Company (1CPTC) where was put to work as a Mortarman instructor. This is the exact uniform worn in the photo of Pte Lange when he married his beautiful wife at the end of hostilities, as well as in the portrait of him. We suspect based on the fantastic condition of this uniform it must have been very carefully stored perhaps with his wife's wedding dress in the post-war years. The desirable canvas 1CPB titles, Pegasus patches, and genuine wartime Airborne wings are extremely clean and nicely period machine sewn in the expected fashion. The wings on this BD are a "Type 5" English made wing as originally produced and made available for the duration of the war in November 1943, and has been inspected by Ken Joyce in hand. This textbook attributed and period photographed uniform set is the best condition example we've handled from the Parachute Battalion, and from an interesting member of this unit. *Sold*
Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Battle Dress Tunic
Original WWII 1st Canadian Division PPCLI Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry battle dress tunic. Impressive original period backed printed insignia. *Sold*
1st Canadian Division Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Dress
Original WWII 1st Canadian Division Royal Canadian Regiment battle dress tunic and field service wedge cap group. Canadian made blouse dated 1943 with original applied insignia nicely sunken in exactly how it should be. Field service wedge cap is also in excellent condition with original cap badge. Good mannequin size set, perfect for a display. Excellent lightly worn condition without any notable flaws just showing a but of honest wear. *Sold*
2nd Canadian Division Calgary Highlanders Battle Dress
Original WWII Canadian Calgary Highlanders battle dress tunic and head dress grouping. Canadian made blouse dated 1944 with original applied insignia nicely sunken in exactly how it should be. Good large mannequin size, perfect for a combat display. Excellent condition set in lightly worn condition without any notable flaws. *Sold*