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MY HOLY GRAIL ARRIVED TODAY
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Good Afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen......
30 Years ago I copied from a book on Canadian pre-World War One a number of cap badges that I would love to own to mount with Queen's South Africa medals to a member who had served in the respective regiment..... One by One I was able to obtain them, all but two within the first few years about 20 years ago I found one of them and have been looking in catalogues, auctions, at gun shows, just about everywhere for my Holy Grail..... My missing badge, my badge holy grail, only ever showed up in an auction sale once and it went for a 4 figure sum..... I never thought that I would ever own one.... Then 3 weeks ago one showed up on our favorite on line auction site..... I checked my bank account..... I placed a large bid..... I held my breath..... OMG I was the only bidder and I won the badge..... 30 years I had been looking..... The badge arrived today, I wanted to rip open the package, but instead I opened it very slowly..... I sat looking at it for the past half an hour..... No it is not as good as sex but just about..... LOL CANADIAN GARRISON ARTILLERY Picture attached...... Mike P.S. Oh yes, I think I will start a thread asking "What is your Holy Grail" |
Well done Mike. And a beautiful badge. Is it maker marked? What type of fasteners?
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Nice find!
Congratulations Mike, that's a gorgeous looking badge. It looks like while you had to wait a long time you didn't have to settle for second best. It looks like it is in fantastic condition. Again, congratulations on a terrific find.
What's the history of the Canadian Garrison Artillery and what makes this particular badge so rare? Bill |
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Sorry Everyone.....
I should have posted a photo of the reverse.... The piece to the side is the clip that is sewen onto the headress.... No makers marks..... Mike |
To answer your question Bill.....
This is what I understand.... This was the cap badge of the Canadian Garrison Artillery from 1892 to 1902..... One of the QSA's that I have states that he served with CGA befor going into E Battery RCFA...... I also understand that #1 to #5 CGA these were regular forces that manned the garrison artillery at Halifax Quebec and Victoria.... Sorry but I am not up on the regiment..... Mike |
Well done Mike, it is always grand to achieve that almost unobtainable goal. It can give us all hope. Enjoy it and have a grand day. Regards Andrew
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Excellent Badge
Hi Mike: A great looking badge and congratulations. My Holy Grail is a cloth shoulder title to the 160th Battalion, CEF. Been looking for 14 years and no joy, but hope springs eternal.
Cheers. Moe. |
It never fails to amaze me about rare insignia. None of these for years that I have seen, then two in the space of a month. Both on auction as well.
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Hi Bill.....
You have seen another of these Garrison Artillery badges..... Where????? Mike |
Hi Mike, I'm not sure if Bill is referring to our last auction, but we had one listed in Auction 123. Lot B2.
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Hi Mike, Yes, Marway had one for sale in their last auction.
It seems to be one of those phenomina, that things are unseen for years and then a couple pop up. That reminds me of my long time search for a Halifax Rifles Second World War shoulder title. Looked for one for years, and then finally saw one on ebay. Problem was, someone had found a small accumulation and sold them off over the subsequent few months. Result, a once rare title dropped to a scarce title. They are hard to find again, but one never knows when a small hoard is going to hit the market. The Cape Breton Highlanders titles appearing regularly on ebay are another example of a scarce title now becoming common. This is not to say the CGA badge is in that category. They are truely rare. It is just odd how two of them show up at the same time. We need the "Numbers" guy to explain the probability. |
Mike, I have been looking at that badge and keep coming back to the fact it is a very well made badge, with an exceptional finish. Do you have any thoughts about it being an officer's badge?
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Hi Bill.....
That is a good possibility as you can see the gilt wash that is covering front has spilt over to the back..... I was grungy when I rec'd it so I just gave it a quick cleaning with some soap and a soft tooth brush and it came up nice and clean..... I have talked to Jamie of Marway and she sent me pictures of the one that was sold there and I can see many differences..... The quality of the badge overall, the length and position of the slider to name a few..... Happily the medal was sold into a Canadian collection..... Yes this could be an officers badge that would most likely be worn on dress uniform..... There were none for over 20 years and then 2 in one month what are the odds...... Mike |
Hi Mike, To clarify, are these two different strikings?
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Congrats on getting your Holy Grail !
I know the feeling well when you wait an eternity for it and even have doubts about ever owning one! As being better than sex ! This feeling will last a life time ! The other 2mins or less! Congrats Rob |
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