Early RCA Helmet Plate
 

Was fortunate to pickup this early helmet plate for my Artillery collection over the weekend.... comments always welcomed... Jim
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2.../badges795.jpg

Nice plate. Note the Guelphic crown, and VRI script. Both stirred quite a discussion on the Canadian Soldiers Forum a short while ago but in reference to the Royal Canadian Regiment. The concensus about the Guelphic crown was that it dated to late in Queen Victoria's reign, likely 1890's till her death.

Guelphic Crown
 

Hello Bill, I had always thought it to be the other way around. All of my Canadian Artillery helmet plates of Victorian vintage have the "Normal" Victorian crown, excepting the one I have as per Jim A's badge. That particular badge is listed in "Mazeas" as HP8. If then you go to Canadian Militia badge HP4 in "Mazeas", it is listed as circa 1855. And this has the Guelphic crown. Over to you!. Regards, DJ.

Here is a link to the discussion about VRI cyphers and crowns. http://www.network54.com/Forum/28173...litia+Regiment

Hello Jim. What years was the RCA helmet plate with the VRI have been worn ?

Hi Jim
I attach a pic of the Yukon Field Force taken in Vancouver in 1898. Note the RCA LCpl on the left and the helmet plate being worn. I believe it to be the VRI style helmet plate. What do you think

Yukon Field Force
 

Here is a close up of the same pic. I do believe this RCA soldier is wearing the VRI style helmet plate

Hi Northman. There was a ERI cypher pattern RCA helmet plate, introduced in 1904. How widespread that issue was is a big question. The GVR badge was approved in 1910.

Hi Bill. Sounds good. So when was the VRI badge first introduced and how long was it used ?

No date was given for the adoption of the VRI cypher, which means the second question can't be answered. Should also note that many of the militia batteries had their own plates. The VRI pattern is a "generic" artillery badge, probably worn by the permanent force and militia batteries that didn't acquire their own design.

Early RCA Helmet Plate
 

Further to trying to figure what dates the Guelphic Crown was used, I’ve tried to figure when wooden trails were changed to iron trails on early Artillery badges. It seems to have been the whim of the badge manufacturer. My VRI badge is the same as the one shown at thread start, which shows a metal trail. My British Columbia Garrison Artillery has the “normal” Victorian crown, with metal trail. My 1st Halifax Garrison Artillery again has the “normal” Vicky crown but the gun trail is clearly depicted as wood. That particular badge is again different from Maxeas HP17 in that it has the Artillery motto on the lower scroll and on the scroll above the gun is stamped 1HGA. I will eventually be posting all of my Canadian Artillery badges into an album to supplement my other Artillery albums. Regards, D.J.