Royal Canadian Hussars
 

Greetings,

Could anyone tell me what era this Royal Canadian Hussars badge dates from please?

The makers mark reads J.R. GAUNT / MONTREAL / MADE IN ENGLAND and isn’t one I’m familiar with but I don’t doubt it’s authenticity.

The slider is also neatly tapered to fit flush against the badge without overhang.

To my eyes I feel it’s post WW2, perhaps 1950s?

Any information welcome, thanks.

Hi Luke, the Royal Canadian Hussars were formed in 1958 by the amalgamation of the 6th Royal Hussars and the 17th Duke of York's Royal Canadian Hussars. The same style of badge is still in wear today. The British made badges were apparently a Kit Shop purchase, not a DND system acquisition.

Many thanks for the quick and informative reply Bill. 1958 is a couple year later than I expected.

Were the RCH on deployment to the UK around that time? Commissioning Gaunt to make a die and quality badge with bespoke slider I suspect wouldn’t have been cheap, more so if transatlantic shipping were added, so surprised to hear it’s a kit shop item. All very interesting.

The quality is lovely, you can probably see the thickness of the strike and good detail.

The Royal Canadian Hussars are an armoured regiment in the primary reserve. They were not deployed as a unit overseas. Members may have been seconded or on training courses.
There are many Canadian badges from this time period with the Gaunt maker mark. They were not system issued, and it has been suggested there was "discontent" with the quality and acquisition process leading to purchase from "outside" sources.