Canada Royal Canadian Mounted Police badges and uniforms

[Paul L Murphy]

One of the items that has nothing to do with my core collecting interests, but which I always wanted, was a RCMP full dress uniform. The only problem was that I could never recall seeing such a uniform come up for sale. In fact, the only RCMP badges that ever seemed to appear were a cap badge every now and then. I was discussing this with another collector when to my surprise he said that not only did he have a full dress uniform in his collecting, but he was willing to swap the entire collection for something else. I now have most of the items in the collection and the last remaining pieces should be with me soon (fingers crossed). There are a number of full uniforms so I will pst pictures of them once I get around to taking them. For now, however, here are pictures of some of the badges which I have acquired.

If anyone has any idea on the value of these items feel free to let me know. Because they were got by swapsies I have little idea on the value if I was to try and buy them from a dealer (bye the way, they are not for sale).

First up is a very scarce item. These are shoulder titles for the forerunner of the RCMP, the Royal North West Mounted Police. The badges are made from brass and maker marked Gaunt London on the reverse.



One of the areas where the Mounties have seen service is with the UN in Namibia. Here are some commemorative pins, a RCMP 1st Squadron Pocket badge, and the UNTAG Medal which they received.

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[Paul L Murphy]

When we think of the Mounties we think about their iconic uniform and probably also about the Musical Ride and band. Here are some of the badges related to that. First up, the Drum Major's badge of the RCMP. The version on the black background is for wear on the red serge full dress tunic, the version on the red background is for wear on the dark blue tunic. This is true of other badges as well.

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[Paul L Murphy]

Next up we have the badge worn by Mounties who have spent two years or more as a member of the Musical Ride. The bullion version is for the red serge tunic and the thread version is for wear on the service dress. Members of the Musical Ride normally serve in the unit for an average of three years so there is approximately 35% turnover in the unit each year. Former member's who qualified to wear the badge are allowed to do so even after they leave the unit.

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Next up is the badge worn by Roughriders. This is the title given to the horse trainers within the RCMP's Equitation Section and this is a scarce badge. The gold wire thread on black is for the red serge uniform. The badges in wire or thread on a red backing are for the other orders of dress.

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Edited March 6, 2010 by Paul L Murphy

[Paul L Murphy]

Next we have the badge of appointment for members of the RCMP band. As with other badges, the wire version is for the red serge full dress tunic. A number of the bands were cancelled in the early 1990s for cost reasons.

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Some of the other badges of appointment that are still in use include First Aid Instructor. This version is for the full dress uniform.

This is the badge worn by a dog handler (PSD Handler to give it the correct title)

And this is the badge worn by Instructors

Edited March 6, 2010 by Paul L Murphy

[Paul L Murphy]

The following are obsolete badges of appointment that were phased out, mainly during the 80s. I believe they are very hard to find.

This is an older version of the dog handler badge, I believe this one dates from the 1960s.

This is the obsolete badge of a Drill Instructor.

This is the badge of a Driving Instructor.

These are two versions of the Swimming Instructor badge, bullion for full dress and wire thread for other orders of dress.

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All of these various instructor badges were replaced by the Instructor badge in the previous post

[Paul L Murphy]

Continuing with obsolete badges of appointment...

This is the badge of a Farrier or a Veterinary Sergeant

This is the badge of a Saddle Maker

As you would guess, this is a Medic's badge

This is a badge for a Forensic Specialist

[Paul L Murphy]

Here is the full dress badge for the Emergency Response Team (apart from the full dress badge being in bullion, it also had the bottom maple leaf in red. This was in yellow on the thread badge worn in other orders of dress).

[Paul L Murphy]

The Marine Division of the RCMP have their own distinctive badge. Here are a few different versions of it, 1 Kings Crown from before 1953 and three Queens Crown versions; bullion, wire, and thread.

[Paul L Murphy]

Next we move to the Air Division. Here are two versions of their pilot's wings, the first in metal and the second in gold wire.

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Next we have a full dress version of the obsolete Air Division sleeve badge. A nice badge showing Pegasus.

[Paul L Murphy]

Next up we have some obsolete Air Division wings. The wings with RCMP in the middle are the 2nd pattern wing and are from the 1950s. The RCMP GRC version replaced these (I believe in 1968 when federal law changed and required bilingual inscriptions) and were later replaced by the wings in the previous post.

Edited March 6, 2010 by Paul L Murphy

[Paul L Murphy]

Next up we have a sleeve patch for the CSI (Crime Scene Investigation) wing.

[Paul L Murphy]

Next up, and last for today, we have sleeve patches for the RCMP Bicycle Patrol. This is a "semi official" badge in so far as it is worn in certain orders of dress but does not enjoy full official sanction.

[Mervyn Mitton]

Paul - you are very fortunate to have acquired a collection of this size - and without a big cash outlay. The bullion badges are always sought after and when you have the different styles for the Air Corps, then you start to 'talk' money. I can't give you prices for Canadian items - however, our Sth. African Police air and helicopter badges are selling for about US $80-100.

I will look forward to seeing the uniforms - do any go back to the NWMP - then you will have a valuable item ?

Good to see these - the Canadian members will be interested.

[Paul L Murphy]

Paul - you are very fortunate to have acquired a collection of this size - and without a big cash outlay. The bullion badges are always sought after and when you have the different styles for the Air Corps, then you start to 'talk' money. I can't give you prices for Canadian items - however, our Sth. African Police air and helicopter badges are selling for about US $80-100.

I will look forward to seeing the uniforms - do any go back to the NWMP - then you will have a valuable item ?

Good to see these - the Canadian members will be interested.

The uniforms are all from the 1960s onwards. I should be able to photo some of them during the week but some others are still en route.

Edited January 28, 2010 by Paul L Murphy

[Paul L Murphy]

As promised, here are some of the uniforms.

First up a nice Sergeant's tunic dated 1974. This is the brown colour service tunic. The three stars indicate 15 years service (a star for each 5 year period) and he also has the marksmanship badges for pistol and rifle.

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[Paul L Murphy]

A close up of the rank badge.

[Paul L Murphy]

Next we have the review order (full dress) ceremonial belt for a constable or sergeant. This was introduced in 1991 since it was felt that the red serge tunic in certain orders of dress that did not require the Sam Browne Belt did not look "finished" without any belt. Hence this was introduced for wear on walking out dress occasions when the Sam Browne was not used.

One of the items is a constable's shirt and this is the sleeve badge on it. It is the standard 1976 pattern sleeve badge for the RCMP.

Edited March 6, 2010 by Paul L Murphy

[Paul L Murphy]

This is a Constable's brown service tunic dated 1968, together with the yellow striped trousers that they wear.

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Edited January 28, 2010 by Paul L Murphy

[Paul L Murphy]

A close up of the 1970 pattern shoulder badge and collar badge.

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Edited February 24, 2010 by Paul L Murphy

[Paul L Murphy]

Next up we have the tunic and breeches for the red serge full dress uniform. The stetson, boots and Sam Browne belt are en route.

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[Paul L Murphy]

A close up of the badges on the tunic.

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[Paul L Murphy]

Next up is the very scarce female version of the full dress uniform (and yes I know the blouse is back to front). The skirt is longer than shown since it was folded on the hanger.

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[Paul L Murphy]

This is the female version of the visor cap. This is for a constable.

[Paul L Murphy]

Moving up the ranks a bit, this is the visor cap for an inspector or a superintendant.

Edited March 6, 2010 by Paul L Murphy

[Paul L Murphy]

This is a close up of the Officer's 1993 pattern cap badge.

Edited March 6, 2010 by Paul L Murphy