Canadian Parachute Corps- Shoulder Title

[chaudiere1944]

Hi All,

I came across a Shoulder Title for sale that is being Advertised as Second World War. I have not posted a picture because it is Copyrighted and did not want to jeopardize the site's integrity.

It is a Maroon Canvas Flash with 1 Canadian Parachute Battalion and the Green Border in an Stitched Embroidery. The back is as best I can describe a Greyish Charcoal.

Additionally it is not described in "Into the Maelstrom".

Has anyone heard of such an item... or is it a Reproduction or Fantasy piece as I think it is?

Best,
Mike

[Bill A]

Hi Mike, if it is on another site, it is okay to post a link. There are no problems with copyright.
From the sounds of your description, it may well be a repro that was put on the market a few years ago.

[chaudiere1944]

Hi Bill,

Here is the link to the Title in question:

http://www.uk-militaria.com/shop/vie...h=32293&phqu=4

Mike

[Bill A]

Hi Mike, Not the repro that I was thinking it was. This title is very odd. Why is the margin and lettering embroidered? Printed titles were not produced to be embroidered. The concept behind the printed titles was economy. Embroidering on canvas would be more expensive. The canvas appears to be much thicker than the standard titles. And why embroider on canvas? The backing colour of the canvas is off. It appears brown not maroon. I would treat the item as suspect.

[chaudiere1944]

Hi Bill,

Suspect...My thoughts exactly. I also find it odd how clean and new looking the Stitching is compared to the rest of the Title.

It is for sale at $72 U.S. and then 70% off that price and the Buyer pays $22 U.S. plus shipping of $12 U.S. for a total $34 U.S.

For an authentic piece this would be a bargain (steal)...this might even be a good price as a Repro/Fantasy Piece for someone who collects 1 CanPara.

[boots and saddles]

It is a strange title indeed, but it is an old piece, First I thought it was a ordinary canvas title embroidered but there is no sign of the old printed letters showing, & like Mike said the stitching looks newer than the canvas. The back also looks old. the stitching is not quite diagonal enough for a UK make but it's
not Canadian either going by the back. I'd pick it up Mike if I could get it for a reasonable price. Don't hesitate because it's not in the books, there is not a complete military book on the market of any kind. Ray

[WJ Miller]

Hi Mike,

Knowing the author of "Into the Maelstrom", Ken Joyce, I asked his opinion of this item.

He did mention and wanted me to pass along that these titles are mentioned on page 110 of his book as post war reproductions. (last sentence ,third paragraph). Ken did go on to explain further;

Yes I have seen these before. There is also an embroidered example on a brownish wool very similar in shape to this one. Then there is the more obvious large version which is almost see-through on a maroon wool. They are all a post war invention. This is based on what I have seen over the years. It is NOT issue, that we know of, however anybody can say it was private purchase to fill their pockets. The large maroon example is a known repro however. I just think the repro artists kept churning out different types of construction. The canvas embroidered combination is the give away to me and on the wool example the black backing material is indicative of post war British made repros.

As for the comment, you dont see it all in the books, I would agree with that to a point. However we are talking a Battalion here and something like this would have come up at some point over the years, guaranteed.

Thanks for sending that along. Regards,
Ken

Bill M.

[chaudiere1944]

Hi Bill,

Thank you for your efforts in contacting Ken Joyce and looking into this shoulder title. When I return home from work I will have a look at the page cited in "Into the Maelstrom"...I am surprised I missed it in my research into the title.

Best Regards,
Mike

[WJ Miller]

Originally Posted by chaudiere1944

...I am surprised I missed it in my research into the title.

Well, it is only a single sentence within a 200+ page reference.

[Luc]

I would not recommend this seller. He sold a lot on ebay a while back; worn webbing with a crisp MECo stamp and worn uniform parts with a crisp ECo stamp.

[wardog]

I also had problems over a refund for what turned out to be a poor copy 1907scabard on eBay. I would buy with paypal if I really had to buy from this seller, and not be surprised if what arrived was disappointing. It put me off buying from Nottingham as he changes his ID.