Memorabilia

Introduced in 1915, these were made with blades from M1889 bayonets and therefore designated by the Belgians as the M1889 Trench Knife.  This example has an 8" double-edged blade in good polish, ricasso with proof stamps on both sides and original leather scabbard washer, standard concave oval steel guard, and walnut one piece grip pierced at the pommel for a wrist strap, which remains.  Includes the correct blackened metal scabbard; functional, but has the attachment tab broken.  $150 - $250

59.2cm overall, with 46.3cm fullered sawback blade in good overall condition with areas of light pitting; ricasso has the scales with "A/C" German maker Alexander Coppel & Companie trademark stamp, with Belgian poinçons; opposite side also has inspection poinçons with "1888" date.  Hilt has steel guard with forward-swept quillon and spanner adjustable muzzle ring, cast brass grip and pommel with steel button and leaf spring attachment catch, inspector stamp on the pommel.  Guard has accountability number "V/4404".  References note that this bayonet will fit both the Comblain and Albini-Braendlin rifles, which replaced the Terssen.  Lacks scabbard.  $200 - $300

Belgian WWI Bayonet Lot: M1889 Short Knife Bayonet & M1916 Infantry Bayonet

Belgian M1899 Infantry Short Knife Bayonet has 29.5cm (11-5/8") fullered blade finished bright in very nice condition with just a few age blemishes.  Ricasso is unmarked.  Guard has hooked quillon and muzzle ring, marked on one side of the guard with accountability number "A1573".  Nice two-piece wood scale grips.  Includes brass mounted black leather scabbard with "1811" on the frog stud.  Leather shows age and wear but remains in good condition.  M1916 bayonet has17.5mm muzzle ring for use with the M1889 rifle, one-piece forged hilt identifies it as being made originally as a M1916 bayonet rather than a conversion. 57cm (22-3/8") overall, has 45cm (17-5/8") double-edge blade with medial ridge, in very good condition with 85% blued finish.  Hilt is also nice, marked with accountability number on the guard "130.1 Ch".  Walnut scale grips show light wear.  Scabbard has blackened finish, missing one throat screw. 

$200 - $300

Bulgarian WWI Visor Cap

Coarse olive wool cap has red wool piping; obverse with cockade in the Bulgarian national colors.  Composition visor remains in good condition.  Interior has drab cotton lining with size marking "57" and a short brown leather sweatband.  Our consignor had not removed the price tag after he originally purchased it, so now we know that it was sourced from our colleague, Mr. Bill Combs!  Shows light service wear, no readily apparent mothing. 

$150 - $200

Canadian WWI Field Artillery Lance Corporal's Service Jacket

Canadian Model 1913 seven-button service dress jacket has flaming bomb collar devices, "C.F.A." and "CANADA" shoulder titles, Lance Corporal chevron, and Canadian general service buttons.  Interior has dark khaki facings and lower pockets, with uninscribed (or faded away) name tag on the interior button stand.  Marked with C-Broadarrow stamp on one of the facings, and has stenciled numerals in the skirt.  Shows wear, stains, and fading with several small scattered holes and a dime size hole in the back under the collar. 

$200 - $300

WWI Canadian Five-Button Service Dress Jacket

Canadian made British 1907 Pattern service jacket of dark khaki wool has flaming grenade collar devices, "GG CANADA" shoulder titles of the 87th Battalion, Canadian Grenadier Guards, pre-1918 style 'double dart' feature under the collar, and Canadian general service buttons.  Interior has olive cotton lower pockets and facings, with a good portion of the paper label remaining, with date "1917" and a Montreal maker.  Shows little wear - a very nice example! 

$300 - $500

Canadian WWI Soldier's Service Dress Jacket

Khaki wool service dress jacket has the five-button closure and 'rifle patches' of the British (and Canadian Produced) Pattern 07 coat, with the short standing collar of the Canadian Model 1913 coat.  The collar has been further altered to include a cotton pattern cloth interior lining.  Coat has Canadian maple leaf collar insignias, "CANADA" shoulder titles, two blue service chevrons, and a War Medal ribbon sewn above the upper left pocket.  Interior has drab white cotton facings and pockets, with purple laundry pen name inscription "J.B. ELLIOT".  Nice condition overall, but it does have a large seam separation at the right armscye. 

$300-$400

Includes examples of both the earlier seven-button and later five-button overcoats.  Seven-button khaki wool greatcoat has Canadian general service buttons; interior has off-white flannel partial lining, white cotton facings, sleeve linings, and pockets.  Lining is inscribed with a soldier's name.  Nice coat - just a few small inconspicuous holes.

The five-button example is also of khaki wool with Canadian general service buttons.  Interior has off-white flannel partial lining, white cotton facings, sleeve linings, and pockets.  Flannel has a tear near the collar, and is marked with a C-BroadArrow stamp in the body.  Exterior khaki wool has some moth tracking and holes, primarily around the collar and on the center back.  $300 - $500

Canadian WWI Service Dress Jacket With Piped Shoulder Straps

Khaki wool five-button service dress jacket has "CANADA" shoulder titles on Infantry blue piped shoulder straps sewn into the shoulder seams in the style of the Model 1913 seven-button service dress jacket.  Interior has white cotton pockets and facings, and is complete with a Toronto, Ontario maker's paper label with soldier's name "G.G. Brigden" inscribed.  I located a "G. Brigden" who is on the rolls of the 62nd Regiment, St. John Fusiliers in 1913, listed as "George Brigden" on the 1914 rolls.  

The branch piping has faded, otherwise nice condition with no readily apparent mothing. 

$400-$500

An interesting Model 1913 Canadian seven-button service dress jacket updated to include British Pattern 07 style 'rifle patches' at the time of manufacture, as they are of matching wool material.  Standing collar has "CANADA" maple leaf insignias, "CANADA" shoulder titles on the epaulettes, and left and right shoulders have Canadian 3rd Division HQ & HQ elements formation patches.  Right sleeve has four blue service chevrons, and the left has a single metal wound bar.  Interior has issue markings stenciled on the center lower skirt, initials "N.A.C. / 18" on the bandage pocket, and a soldier's name "Gr. R. Keigan" with service number on the name tag on the interior button stand.  This matches the same surname and service number of Robert Keigan whose 1916 attestation papers are digitized in the Canadian archives.  Keigan served as a gunner in 36th Battery, 11th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery, which was a part of 3rd Canadian Divisional Artillery.  He was wounded on September 12, 1918. 

Coat shows wear and stains with a few scattered holes, but nice overall.  Nicely identified, and well-substantiated by research.  $600 - $900

Canadian 23rd Reserve Battalion Soldier's Extensive Uniform Group

An exceptionally nice and complete grouping which includes a letter written by a former owner to the (very well-known and well-respected) collector who acquired it in 1993.  Includes the P07 uniform coat, trench cap, overcoat, issue shirt, and other assorted items from Private Donat Fontaine who enlisted July 22, 1918, arrived in Liverpool on September 30, 1918 and was transferred to the 23rd Reserve Battalion, CEF on November 8.  He sailed home in June 1919.

His late production Pattern 07 service coat has single collar darts and dark khaki interior pockets and facings with a portion of the paper label remaining.  Facings are inscribed in purple laundry pen with his service number which matches his records in the archives.  Exterior has 23rd Reserve Battalion collar insignias, "C/23" and "CANADA" shoulder titles along with a Welcome Home badge on the pocket.  His issue regulation trousers have doubled suspender buttons with a mix of the issue utility buttons, riveted replacements, and some that are missing entirely; shows slight remnants of a paper label.  Canadian issue overcoat has another soldier's name and service number inked in the lining which is inconvenient, but also understood to be quite commonly observed in solidly identified groups.  Olive wool flannel issue shirt is nicely marked with 1916 dated maker stamp in the collar lining.  His 1916 pattern trench cap, like the rest of the group is soiled but remains in good condition, with 23rd Canadian Reserve Battalion badge.  

Other items include a water bottle with 1913 dated Ottowa maker stamp on the leather harness, Canadian soldier's hold-all (empty of contents), a pair of wool wrap puttees, knit toque, and an interesting web waistbelt with snake buckle that the previous owner suggests was made from a Lewis Gun sling.  A unit photo of Co. G, 23rd Reserve Battalion taken in May 1919 measures 14-1/2" x 17-5/8" (framed dimensions).  The previous owner's note suggests that Donat is "believed to be the seventh soldier from the left, 2nd row from the top."

$2000 - $3000

Canadian 8th Mounted Rifles Officer's Service Dress Cap

Khaki thin wool twill service dress cap has cloth-covered visor, brown leather chinstrap with Canadian general service side buttons, and an 8th Canadian Mounted Rifles cap badge on the front.  The cap shows significant grime and service wear, with damage to the fabric on the back of the band.  Interior has a partially legible trade label under the dark and degrading crown protector, with a heavily soiled but intact brown leather sweatband.  The interior of the cloth-covered visor has a break that you can feel, but it does not deform the visor.  This piece of headgear has been stored flat for some time, and suffers a bit of deformity due to that, but this should be something that could be remedied by gently working it into shape on a properly supported archival hat form.  Definitely a cap that has seen extensive service use!

The 8th Canadian Mounted Rifles was formed in December 1914, recruiting men from Ottawa, Peterborough, and Toronto before mobilizing at Ottawa under Lieutenant-Colonel J.R. Munro of the 5th Princess Louise Dragoon Guards. The regiment contributed drafts to the Canadian Expeditionary Force throughout 1915 and sailed for England in October with 31 officers and 601 other ranks.​

Upon arrival, a major reorganization of Canadian mounted units occurred. Effective March 2, 1916, the 8th Canadian Mounted Rifles was absorbed into the Depot Regiment Overseas Canadian Mounted Rifles. Its personnel provided reinforcements to the Canadian Mounted Rifles battalions serving with the 8th Brigade, 3rd Canadian Division on the Western Front. The regiment was officially disbanded in June 1918.​

Though the unit initially trained and deployed as mounted infantry, the transition to trench warfare quickly led to its conversion to infantry roles, reflecting the changing nature of combat during the First World War.

$200 - $300

Two examples, one with its khaki wool felt covering, web sling and harness.  The second is the canteen only, lacking the wool covering and harness.  Wool covering on the first has some moth-made trenches but remains relatively intact; has initials inked on the covering and also on the base of the harness.  

These were produced by the Canadian Aluminum Goods Supply Co. in 1914 and 1915.  Author Chris Pollendine notes "They were often issued with the Pattern 1914 leather equipment, although they were a poor fit in the bottle carrier, also sometimes with the Pattern 1908 equipment, which was even worse."  Yet another interesting example of the stopgap measures taken by the belligerent governments in 1914-1915 to equip the millions of young men entering the military.  $100-$150

Canadian WWI Victory Bond Poster: Doing My Bit

92cm (36-1/4") high x 61cm (24") wide, lithograph poster with art by Frank Lucien Nicolet.  This First World War poster features a full-length portrait of a Canadian Highland soldier in kilt and tam-o'-shanter hat, standing confidently and raising four fingers to signify his years of service. With a direct, encouraging smile, he exhorts Canadian civilians to support the front lines by purchasing Victory Bonds. Designed for the 1918 Victory Loan campaign, Nicolet’s composition strategically evokes pride, resilience, and solidarity, emphasizing the mutual responsibility between soldiers and citizens. The pastoral Canadian landscape and wartime ruins in the background underscore the stakes at home and abroad, highlighting the enduring national commitment to victory and reconstruction. 

Poster has spent the past decade or more shrink-wrapped to pasteboard, so there is a bit of discoloration in the margins from acid migration.  It has several minor edge dings, overall remains in very good condition.

$200 - $300

French Pre-War Infantry Officer's Tunic & Kepi: 62nd Infantry Regiment

M1893 black wool tunic for a Sous-Lieutenant, has nine-button front indicating manufacture after January 1911, with flaming bomb Infantry buttons, madder red cuff patches and standing collar, with bullion embroidered unit designation "62".  No readily apparent mothing or damage.  Interior has padded black silk lining and interior chest pockets.  Includes the correct black and red wool officer's kepi that has not fared as well; exhibits some minor mothing and deformity of the visor.  Interior has a shattered black silk lining and brown leather sweatband.  Glue spots are visible along the seam of the visor indicating a functional (if inelegant) collector's repair.  Obverse has brass false bullion unit numerals "62".  

$200 - $300

French Pre-War Infantry Sergeant Major's M1897 Tunic

Enlisted black wool M1897 tunic has madder red wool cuff patches and standing collar with red embroidered unit designation "12" on black patches.  Sleeves have Sergeant Major rank bullion insignia, and the coat closes with seven flaming bomb Infantry buttons.  Interior has white cotton quilted partial lining, with damaged stitching along the interior lower edge of the collar.  Complete with epaulettes.  Has a few small holes, but very nice overall.

Before World War I, the 12th Infantry Regiment was stationed at Reims, forming part of the 6th Infantry Brigade within the 3rd Infantry Division of the 6th Army Corps. As one of France’s historic line regiments with roots tracing back to the ancien régime, it maintained a long tradition of discipline and professionalism in peacetime training and garrison life. Mobilized in August 1914, the regiment advanced into Belgium with the 6th Army and engaged in the early battles of the Sambre and Guise before participating in the First Battle of the Marne. After the front stabilized, the 12th held positions along the Aisne during the first winter of trench warfare. In 1915, it fought in the Champagne offensive, suffering heavy casualties in assaults near Perthes and Beauséjour. The regiment later saw service at Verdun in 1916, notably around the Mort-Homme sector, and endured continuous action on the Chemin des Dames and in the Ailette valley through 1917. During the Allied counteroffensives of 1918, the 12th Infantry Regiment advanced through the Soissons and Oise sectors, taking part in the pursuit operations that carried the French armies to victory by November. Its wartime record reflected steadfast endurance across some of the Western Front’s most demanding engagements.

$200 - $300

French Pre-War Black Wool Overcoat with Captain Rank Sleeve Insignia

Black wool overcoat has bullion embroidered "2" unit numeral collar patches, Captain rank trim on the turned cuffs, and flaming bomb buttons throughout.  Front has two inset waist pockets with exterior flaps and an inset upper breast pocket.  Interior has a Versailles tailor's label in the lining, and a name label in an interior pocket with "1904" or "1906" date.  Reverse has vented skirt and back adjustment belt.  Shows normal light wear; no readily apparent mothing.  

$200 - $300

French WWI Uniform & Equipment: A Nearly Complete Mannequin-Ready Infantry Poilu Display

Our consignor had this nicely displayed on a mannequin in his collection room, and it was indeed impressive!  French horizon blue wool service coat and unpiped blue-gray breeches, with horizon blue wool wrap puttees, shoes, and a nice Infantry Adrian helmet.  The The shoes have been resoled and are marked with US size "7-1/2EE" on the soles, with heel rims attached by modern screws, and smooth soles.  Several of the grommets are loose due to verdigris development.  The coat has several different issue stamps and committee of reception stamp that is faint but appears to be dated 1918.  Wool has a few small holes but is in very good overall condition, displayed with a wound medal.  The breeches appear to be private purchase and are unmarked.  His M1915 Adrian has an Infantry badge, second pattern brown leather liner and a broken chinstrap.  Equipment includes a brown leather combat waistbelt with roller buckle and 'Y' strap; 1893/14 box frame knapsack has leather fittings that are dry and have cracks in the surface, holding together for the moment but care and caution will need to be exercised in handling them.  Pack is currently mounted by the mess kit, and blanket roll with (a simple US WWI blanket) wrapped in a very scruffy, battered, ripped and torn up French shelter section with visible 1918 dated committee of reception stamp, secured by a combination of the French long equipment strap and two incorrect replacement Italian straps.  Lot further includes a chau-chat ammunition bag which contained a speciality badge and an issue sewing kit spool.  There is also a worn, period correct (though not military) scarf that the consignor had around his neck on the mannequin, and an ARS gas mask in the normal 'crispy' condition that describes 99.9% of these that we find.  

$500 - $800

French WWI 237th Infantry Regiment Soldier's Medals

30cm x 40cm (15-3/4" x 11-3/4") pasteboard mounted certificate is mounted by this soldier's medals including WWI Victory, Belgian WWI Commemorative Medal, French Croix-de-Guerre with "1914 - 1916" reverse and showing a star appurtnance which designates the recipient having been mentioned in dispatches.  Also a French WWI Combatant's Cross, Wound Medal, and WWI Commemorative Medal.  All of these are glued to the certificate by the ribbons, as this was how these were intended to be mounted.  (These certificates were not put together with long-term preservation in mind!)  The planchets have worked themselves free, but of course have adhesive residue on the reverse.  That is the down side.. but it is considerably offset by the fact that on such a certificate we can associate the medals with an individual Poilu!  In this case, it is Jules Brisse, a soldier in the 237th Infantry Regiment who was wounded three times in service.  

The French 237th Infantry Regiment served with distinction during World War I, participating in some of the most intense fighting on the Western Front. Formed as part of the French Army's mobilization in 1914, the regiment was engaged in the Champagne region and the Somme, where it played a crucial role in repelling German assaults. Notably, in July 1915, the 237th Infantry Regiment successfully defended its positions near Souchez, using hand grenade fire to drive back the German 63rd Infantry Regiment in a fierce night battle. Throughout the war, the regiment was recognized for its steadfast defense and aggressive counterattacks, contributing significantly to the French Army's efforts to maintain the front lines and protect vital sectors. The service of the 237th Infantry Regiment exemplifies the courage and resilience of French soldiers during the Great War.

$100 - $150

French WWI Croix-de-Guerre Medal Lot including 1914-1916 and 1914-1917 Awards

Includes five Croix-de-Guerre Medals with a variety of appurtenances.  First has 1914-1918 reverse, mounted by bronze palm (mentioned in dispatches / cited at the Army level).  Second has 1914-1917 reverse, with silver bar suspension, ribbon mounted by gold star device (cited at the Corps level).  Third has 1914-1916 reverse, with one bronze star (cited at the Regiment or Brigade level) and two silver stars (Cited at the Division level).  Fourth has 1914-1918 reverse, with unadorned ribbon.  Fifth has 1914-1918 reverse, with false bullion metal numerals "21" on the ribbon.  The collector who owned this set attributed that to a medal belonging to a soldier of the 21st Regiment (Czech Legion).  The patina on the piece is consistent with these numerals having been there for a very long time, but I was not successful finding any other examples of this practice to confirm the assertation.  Last medal is a Croix de Guerre des Théâtres d'Opérations Extérieures with a single bronze star device on the ribbon.  The 'TOE' was established in 1921 to recognize acts of heroism in combat outside of territorial France.

$150 - $250

Includes two corrugated metal carriers for the French Model 1917 ARS gas mask, also a single ARS mask which has solidified in the position it held while stuffed into a carrier.  This is the norm for the ARS; of the hundreds of examples that I have handled over the years, only one or two were pliable enough to be very carefully displayed.  This one additionally has broken eyepiece lenses, which is also quite common for these.  $50 - $100

French WWI M1915 Adrian Helmet Lot: Artillery & Colonial Infantry

Two French WWI Mle. 1915 Adrian Helmets, first example has ~70% darker blue-gray horizon blue painted finish; obverse with a Colonial Infantry badge that clearly has been on this specific helmet since the Great War.  Interior has broken chinstrap and a black leather first pattern liner showing verdigris and textured residue that may be from an old display head.  Second example has 80% gray toned horizon blue finish, with black leather chinstrap looped over the brim.  Interior shows that the chinstrap is actually broken on one side, but enough remains to tuck it into the ring on the side.  Liner is very unusual and non-standard, which I believe to be a post-war collector's replacement.

$100 - $200

French WWI Adrian Helmet Lot: Five Helmets

Five French Model 1915 Adrian helmets in varying shades of horizon blue finish.  Includes Infantry, Colonial Infantry, Engineer, Chasseur, and Artillery examples.  All have liners; the Artillery helmet liner is a bit rough, but the other four are good.  Artillery and Chasseur helmets lack chinstraps; the others are complete with chinstrap. 

$500 - $700

French & Italian WWI Era Headgear Lot: Three Adrian Helmets, Two Kepis, & More

French headgear includes a Model 1915 Adrian helmet with Infantry badge, lacks liner, Artillery piped horizon blue wool sidecap, a (post-war) kepi with Infantry side buttons and bullion "94" unit numerals, and a civil service kepi of red wool with a light blue wool band and bullion trim which has a shattered visor and lacks sweatband, and is leaving a trail of 'hat guts' and other debris on my work table as though it had been mortally wounded in a box of Josh Segal's show stock and is crawling slowly away to die a more dignified death at a different booth.

Lot further includes two Adrians that appear to have been made under contract for Italy, as they are not pierced in the front for badges.  One has ~40% Italian dark green finish with oxidized patina and surface rust on the top of the crown where it has suffered a few noticeable dings and dents; interior has a collector or reenactor replacement liner.  The second of these is actually quite interesting - a WWI wartime contract French-made Italian Adrian that appears to have a very interesting and heavily textured camouflage finish.  I honestly can't decide if this is a really strange and intriguing camouflage, or if it was a smelly hippie's off-the-rails, (seemed like a good idea at the time?) art project... or perhaps someone decided to use an old surplus helmet as the test subject upon which they bestowed by strokes, drips, and blorps a sampling of the contents from every unmarked mystery can of decades-old leftover paint in a hoarder's garage.  That's the beauty of an auction - you get to decide!

$100 - $200

French WWI Era Military & Civil Headgear Mixed Lot: 3 Kepis, Cuirassier Helmet, & Officer's Sidecap

French Engineer Officer's polo pattern kepi has bullion chinstrap and Lieutenant's quatrefoil on the crown, obverse has "31" regimental numerals, and the sides have Engineer buttons.  Interior has a nice black silk lining and black leather sweatband with ribbon adjustment.  Second kepi is of dark blue wool with black wool velvet band, trimmed in bullion cord with black polished cotton lining and black leather sweatband.  Shows signs of a chinstrap and side buttons once being installed but those are no longer present.  Third kepi is of dark blue wool with red soutache trim, has French telegraph section side buttons and one in the center of a small cockade on the front.  Interior has a Paris uniform shop tradmark embossed in the crown lining.  Soft headgear also includes a private purchase horizon blue wool sidecap with silver bullion rank insignia in the front; interior has brown leather sweatband and very nice light and dark striped lavender silk crown lining. 

Model 1874 Cuirassier or Dragoon helmet has steel body with dark age toned finish, brass fittings throughout including; frontplate with flaming bomb insignia flanked by laurel leaves, high comb with Medusa head crest, with damage in this area exposing some poorly soldered  seams or poorly executed repairs.  Black horse hair plume has been cropped to about one inch in length.  A feather plume socket is on the left side,  side lug chinscale attachments and chinscales are lacking. Reverse of the exterior  size "55".  Interior has heavily worn leather liner and leather lined front visor. 

$200 - $400