Canada. A Parachute Corps Cap Badge, c.1941

In brown plastic (cellulose acetate), measuring 39 mm (w) x 38 mm (h), both lugs intact, surface wear, contact marks, adhesive residue evident on reverse, extremely scarce, fine.

Footnote: Cap badges were usually made of white metal, brass, copper or bi-metal. Most commonly brass and white metal were used. With the shortage of ferrous metal towards the end of 1940, an alternative material was needed for the manufacture of cap badges. Rolled brass and bakelite were among the materials tested but it was cellulose acetate that was finally selected, as it was a modern plastic that could be used with injection molding equipment. The first cellulose acetate badges were produced in December of 1941 and were limited to the corp. level, with the regimental level badges going into production in June of 1942. Since the average soldier preferred the metal badges over the plastic and they were produced for a short period of time, plastic cap badges can be fairly rare.