postwar slider conversion

[DavidS]

Is there a definitive transition date(s) when lugged badges were replaced with slidered versions in the post-war Canadian forces?

While I see exceptions to post-war sliders vs. lugged badges (highland regiments badges like the 48th Highlanders and Essex and Kent Scottish, and others like the 14th Canadian Hussars, Royal Canadian Hussars, etc.), it seems there were some slidered regimental versions with a simple slider shape, followed by a switch to the British-style bent slider (1960s?), then to the round-ended slider versions seen now.

Do these phases of slider design correspond to specific uniform/dress regulation changes?

Any info would be appreciated.

[guest_000]

to the best of my knowledge there was no great epifini . It would seem the change really started with the change of monarchs as of 1952-3 you see the slider come into its own after that date.

PAUL

[Bill A]

Hello David, The use of the slider on Canadian badges started in WW1. Many CEF badges were made in the UK, and one of the fasteners applied to the badges was the slider. In the militia period, 1920-1936, many Canadian militia badges are found with sliders as well. These badges were made in the UK and supplied to the militia. Some examples include the Algonquin Rifles and Regt de St Hyacinthe. There are many more from that era.
The real shift to the slider took place, as Paul said, after the ascension of Queen Elizabeth II to the throne in 1953. It appears that the change had something to do with economy. Lugged badges were hard on headdress. Holes had to be poked through the material and often tore the hat or beret. Once fitted for a lugged badge the headdress could not be used for many other badges, as the lug holes were wider etc. The 1950's headdres, in particular the beret, was made with a built in slider pocket and the slider did not cause much damage. It was also easy to change badges if the soldier was transfered to another unit. As a result, the mid 50's issues of the new queen's crown badges mostly came into use sporting the slider.
Early sliders were a real pain. The sliders themselves frequently sheared off the badge, or easily fell out of the pocket in the beret. The straight slider was replaced by the variable thickness slider, ones with "fat middles" and thinner or tapered ends and tops. The "bent" slider was another method to keep the badge on the headdres. These were less likely to fall out of the beret. In this sense, there was a connection to dress regulations. At one point in time, around the 70's & 80's almost everyone in the CF wore the beret. To keep the badges on the headdress there was a need for a more reliable slider.
One footnote. Since the 80's all contracts for metal cap badges to the CF were required to show the date. The slider was an easy place to stamp the date or contract and maker.