A First War Canadian Trench Cap 1918 to the 52nd Infantry Battalion

This dress cap is fabricated from a greenish-khaki twill, with two narrow brown leather straps and two buckles creating the chin strap, of adjustable length resting upon the visor, slotted at the ends, secured on both sides by original brass buttons, the button on the right illustrating the Royal coat-of-arms, the button on the left marked "CANADA" above the Canadian insignia. Immediately above the buttons on both sides are two reinforced ventilation holes with brown painted metal eyelets. The front has a 35.5 mm x 38 mm blackened brass cap badge of the 52nd Infantry Battalion "New Ontario Regiment" affixed to the cap via two lugs and pin. Smaller flat visor without stiffener, both sides of the visor covered with the same greenish-khaki twill as the exterior of the cap. Inside, the side of the cap and the dome are lined in a blackened synthetic moisture-resistant covering, stamped in white ink in the dome with a rectangular box containing the maker mark "PIPE &", the latter part of the mark chattered and faded, the size "6 7/8" and the date "1918". The cap measures 235 mm x 240 mm x 100 mm overall, exhibiting very light crazing on the leather chin strap, cracking and flaking on the blackened synthetic moisture-resistant covering on the interior, the exterior free of mothing. Better than very fine.

 

Footnote: The Battalion was raised in Western Ontario under the authority of G.O. 86, July 1, 1915. The mobilization headquarters was at Port Arthur. The Battalion sailed November 23, 1916 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel J.A.D. Hulme with a strength of 48 officers and 1,032 other ranks. The Battalion served in France and Belgium with the 9th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Division. It was disbanded on September 15, 1920. (C:4)