Helmet Plates - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

servicepub · #1 22-09-08, 12:47 AM

I don't really collect badges but I do collect headdress complete with badges.
Here are a couple of close-ups of helmet plates on Cavalry helmets. I will follow up with non-Cavalry helmet plates later. I encourage contributions for the membership.

First up - a series of RCD badges. The term "Present" is incorrect as the badge reflects the style worn in the 1930-1950 era. Photo courtesy RCD Museum.

servicepub · #2 22-09-08, 12:52 AM

The RCDs had a new batch of helmets, and helmet plates, made by Woods Manufacturing of Stittsvillle, Ontario (near Ottawa). These were Pakistani-made and were terrible. I will post one of these shortly. In the meantime, the RCDs also had 50 new helmets made in time for their July 2008, 125th anniversary. These were made in China on behalf of The Discriminating General who was contracted by the RCDs to supply these. The helmets and badges were better than the Woods contract but the plumes were incorrectly tied. The RCD RSM disliked the approved helmet plate and had it redesigned as follows;

servicepub · #3 22-09-08, 12:54 AM

A nice plate to an OR of the Princess Louise Dragoon Guards. Officers' badges included an enamelled centre.

servicepub · #4 22-09-08, 01:00 AM

The 19th Alberta Dragoons, like the 12the Manitoba Dragoons, did not wear a helmet until the Royal Visit of 1939. In order to mount a Guard of Honour in appropriate dress they obtained uniforms and helmets from their Allied regiment - the Inniskilling Dragoon Guards. When they received the helmets the quatrefoil spikes and plumes were missing (perhaps the Inniskillings would re-use these). The 19th obtained plumes from the Lord Strathcona's Horse who also wore a red/white plume but could not obtain the spikes and stems. In lieu of a spike the 19th used a brass cylinder.
The regiment cobbled together a variety of badges - some of which use a generic cobbled star while others were obviously homemade mounted on a homemade star device.

servicepub · #5 22-09-08, 01:02 AM

The Governor General's Horse Guards are the only regiment which wears a silver helmet and their helmet plate is gilt with silver devices. CFB Borden collection

servicepub · #6 22-09-08, 01:35 AM

Helmet Plate to the 25th Brant Dragoons. Courtesy private collection.

Bill A · #7 22-09-08, 11:08 AM

Holy #$#% Clive. What an awesome collection. The 25 Brant Dragoons and the 19th Alberta Dragoons are especially nice, but all of them are fantastic examples of scarce Canadian helmet plates.