WWII Canadian Frontiersmen Tunic

WWII Canadian Frontiersmen Tunic - This jacket is fabricated from a thick, navy blue wool. The shoulders are each adorned with nickel-plated steel chain mail, with small (16.5 mm) brass Frontiersmen insignia buttons near the collar. In addition, there are red and blue wool Beaver insignias, designating this soldier as a Canadian, on the upper arms. There is a single hook and eye closure on the raised collar, ensuring a snug fit at the neckline, the collar with a stiffener, plus a protective leather neck tab on the left side. There are holes evident on both sides at the open end of the collar where collar tabs once resided but have been lost to time. The front has four pockets, smaller ones on each breast which are pleated with small brass Frontiersmen insignia buttons, plus larger pockets at the waist on either side, with all four pockets coming with foldover flaps and dual snap closures. The front is completed by a vertical row of five large (23.3 mm) Frontiersmen insignia brass buttons, the second one from the top maker marked "J.R. GAUNT & SON Ltd, MONTREAL", while the other four are maker marked "J.R. GAUNT & SON Ltd, LONDON" on their reverses, facing an equal number of reinforced button holes on the left. The inside of the tunicis lined in a black rayon-cotton blend and has one small pocket on the left side, with a "Simpson's" embroidered maker's label sewn on the front and an owner's name tag sewn on the inside, inscribed "The Robert Simpson Company Limited, Made to Measure, Toronto", named to "W.C. Kennedy, A Squadron" and dated "June 1940". The sleeves are lined in an off-white rayon, with thin blue and black stripes. The jacket measures 750 mm in length and 500 mm between the shoulder seams. Although it has extensive staining and holes in the right armpit, along with sweat staining evident in both armpits, the jacket remains free of stains elsewhere and displays nice texture in the wool and quality workmanship, retaining its original look through quality stitching and the high grade materials used. A terrific WWII collectible, in better than very fine condition. Footnote: The Legion of Frontiersmen has always held that anyone of any age, colour, creed, ability or disability can be of service to his or her fellows and community through its ranks. The Legion of Frontiersmen were basically formed from men who were past the age of military service and felt that they could still serve the crown. It was a voluntary irregular force patterned after the British Army to serve as Mounted Rifles, Military Scouts, Local Army Guides, Pioneers (military labourers) and Intelligence Gatherers, with a regimental numbering system indicating 13,000 members throughout the British Empire.