Royal Montreal Cavalry button
 

Hi Canadian badge buffs,

I have this small button, measures 17mm approx. and would be interested in time period it was worn. Maker's name is GIBBS & COMPY MONTREAL.

Thanks, Tinto

Rene Chartrand illustrates a somewhat different button for the Royal Montreal Cavalry with a wreath around the outside and a 'VR' cypher in the centre and he dates this as 1840s-1850s. Your button would appear to be the pattern in use before this date.

Hi Cribyn,

Thank you for your information. I presume my button has the George IV cypher?

Cheers, Tinto

Hello Tinto

Yes, I would assume George IV cypher although I'm not that well up on these early cyphers!

Roger

Thanks, Roger.
Regards, Tinto

It is not listed in Smylie's Buttons of the Canadian Militia.

Hello Bill

No, the button is too early to be included in Eric's book as he only covers the period 1900 to 1990.

I should have been more specific and referred to the source which was a two-part article on "Early Canadian Military Buttons" by Rene Chartrand (with excellent illustrations by Denis Darmanin!) which appeared in "Button Lines" the Journal of The British Button Society. These articles covered the period late 18th to late 19th centuries and featured "only units on the provincial establishment" and not units "deemed to be part of the British Army".

Roger

Hi Roger, do you have the date of that publication?

Hello Bill,

Sorry, no dates but the issue numbers were 117 and 118 with two 'new' buttons illustrated in a subsequent issue, 122.

Roger