Canada Royal Canadian Mounted Police badges and uniforms

[Paul L Murphy]

This is a nice Superintendant's brown service tunic. Undated but from the 1970s.

[Paul L Murphy]

A close up of the shoulder straps.

[Paul L Murphy]

This is a Superintendant's No 2 blue uniform. The shirt is dated 1996 but the tunic and trousers are undated.

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2010/post-1487-12647170515.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2010/post-1487-126471707027.jpg

[Paul L Murphy]

A close up of the shoulder strap. The RCMP Superintendant rank shows a crown and pip, which is different from most police forces where it is a crown only. The crown on its own signifies an Inspector in the RCMP.

Edited January 28, 2010 by Paul L Murphy

[Paul L Murphy]

There are more items on the way so I will post these when received. I also have a beautiful Police Commissioners full dress uniform and cap which I need to photograph and post. It is incredible.

As I mentioned before, if any of you specialists out there are able to put values or rarities on these I would appreciate it.

[Brian Wolfe]

A very impressive collection, Paul.

Thanks for posting it; most enjoyable.

Regards

Brian

[Mervyn Mitton]

Paul - it certainly lives up to your descriptions. I think we should see all of the pieces before putting approx. insurance valuations. The Commissioner's will be a valuable item - does it come with cap etc.?

When I first looked at the uniforms I kept thinking what is this set of initials - GRC - suddenly remembered French is an equal language. Duh !!

You describe the officer's uniform as being for a Superintendent - is there another grade above this in Canada ? I ask, because in the UK this would be for a Chief Superintendent - a Supt. is only the Crown. The cap crown looked very interesting - are they real diamonds at the top ? If the answer is yes, then the bullion badge will be in gold thread - and valuable. Could we see a front and back close-up.

Congratulations on acquiring such an extensive collection - hope you have the room ? Mervyn

Edited January 29, 2010 by Mervyn Mitton

[Paul L Murphy]

Paul - it certainly lives up to your descriptions. I think we should see all of the pieces before putting approx. insurance valuations. The Commissioner's will be a valuable item - does it come with cap etc.?

When I first looked at the uniforms I kept thinking what is this set of initials - GRC - suddenly remembered French is an equal language. Duh !!

You describe the officer's uniform as being for a Superintendent - is there another grade above this in Canada ? I ask, because in the UK this would be for a Chief Superintendent - a Supt. is only the Crown. The cap crown looked very interesting - are they real diamonds at the top ? If the answer is yes, then the bullion badge will be in gold thread - and valuable. Could we see a front and back close-up.

Congratulations on acquiring such an extensive collection - hope you have the room ? Mervyn

Hi Mervyn,

The cap badge is made from polyester thread, unfortunately not gold and diamonds. This type of cap badge was introduced for offiers, ie inspector and above, in the early 1990s.

With regard to the ranks, a Chief Superintendant has two pips with the crown in the RCMP. I have a set of the rank badges en route so I will post them once they arrive. The Commissioner's uniform comes with the cap so I hope to take photos of it all during the weekend.

:cheers:

[leigh kitchen]

Nice badges, you show badges I never knew existed, the blue & white medal ribbon on some of the tunics, knoe you're saying the tunics are 1960's/70's, but is the ribbon one of the more recent NATO medals?

[Laurence Strong]

Nice badges, you show badges I never knew existed, the blue & white medal ribbon on some of the tunics, knoe you're saying the tunics are 1960's/70's, but is the ribbon one of the more recent NATO medals?

It's probably blue and yellow. It's the RCMP long service award:

http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/hon/nat-honour-honneur/lng-serv-eng.htm

Thats not to say it could not be a Nato or UN medal as it is not uncommon for former CF members to joined the RCMP. Plus RCMP members have served as UNCIVPOL on the various missions

Sgt. Mark Gallagher and Chief Supt. Doug Coates were killed in the Haiti earthquake.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2010/01/22/haiti-rcmp-caskets-100122.html#ixzz0e6WzRIRe

Very nice score Paul.

Edited January 30, 2010 by Laurence Strong

[Paul L Murphy]

Nice badges, you show badges I never knew existed, the blue & white medal ribbon on some of the tunics, knoe you're saying the tunics are 1960's/70's, but is the ribbon one of the more recent NATO medals?

It is a blue and yellow ribbon and it is the RCMP Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. It is awarded for 20 years service, bars are awarded for further periods of five years each.

[Paul L Murphy]

Next up is the full dress uniform of the Commissioner of Police of the RCMP. This belonged to Commissioner Murray who held the position from 1994-2000. First up is the visor cap. This piece is dated 1999 on the inside.

[Paul L Murphy]

Here is a closer picture of the 1993 pattern Officer cap badge and the peak with two rows of bullion maple leaves.

Edited March 6, 2010 by Paul L Murphy

[Paul L Murphy]

I didnt bother photographing the trousers since they are the standard blue with yellow stripe. However here is the full dress tunic.

Here is a close up of the rank badges. The button is on a long post since the tunic can also be worn with bullion dress shoulder boards depending on the order of dress.

[Paul L Murphy]

Here is the full dress officer's belt.

[Paul L Murphy]

Here are close ups of the distinctive hanger fittings.

[Paul L Murphy]

And finally for today, here is a close up of the two piece belt buckle.

[Mervyn Mitton]

Paul - Wow ! The Commissioner's outfit is in wonderful condition - and has to be a rare set. Interesting that the gold braid on the peak of the cap is so different to the usual styles. I think these must represent Maple leaves - however, perhaps you could confirm this ?

From the suspension straps on the belt, this rank obviously wears a sword - were you lucky enough to have this included. Probably a Mameluke pattern - the type worn by generals.

His rank structuring is very interesting - it is identical to the Metropolitan Police Commissioner in London - who is Britain's senior police officer. However, in the UK the baton and sword are two crossed tipstaffs within the wreath. Your Commissioner is wearing the insignia for a full (4 star) General - thus showing the para-military origins of the RCMP.

Going back to an earlier suggestion I made about the material the Supt's badge was made from - these badges are metal. I would suggest , therefore, that you try to see the reverse on them in case of markings. For this rank I would be surprised if they aren't silver gilt. The same will apply to the belt fittings. One word of warning - don't be tempted to rub or, buff them. Gilt rubs off easily.

And you say there is more to come..........

[Paul L Murphy]

Hi Mervyn,

Yes, the bullion on the peak is supposed to be maple leaves. It makes it quite distinctive. I suspect the belt buckle is silver gilt, the way in which it has toned is consistent with silver, but I doubt if the cap badge is. It seems to be the standard officer issue badge made from polyester and base metal that was introduced in the 1990s. I do not want to disassemble them to check for markings since the belt and cap are in lovely condition as they are.

:cheers:

[Mervyn Mitton]

Hello - Paul. I'm anxious to know if any more 'treasures' have arrived ? I have a question that you may be able to assist with - I have the only Tipstaff known for Canada - although , I think , it was practise in the early days , for Supt's. and above to carry them. How would I find out if the RCMP have any examples in their Museum.

Mine is for the North West Mounted Police and I intend posting it soon. The only decorated truncheon known for Canada is in the Ontario Museum.

Many thanks for any help. Mervyn

[Laurence Strong]

Try here:

info@rcmphc.com

http://www.rcmpheritagecentre.com/index.php/splash/welcome/lang/en_US

[Mervyn Mitton]

Thankyou Laurence. Will follow this up and report back.

[Paul L Murphy]

Most of the balance of the collection arrived the other day so here are some more items. This is the Stetson that is worn with the full dress tunic in post #20.

This is the maker mark on the leather lining. I beleive this dates it to before the late 1960s since they switched to a Canadian maker about that time.

[Paul L Murphy]

Here are the Strathcona Boots that go with the full dress uniform. I need to buy some good saddle soap type polish and get to work to restore their shine !

[Paul L Murphy]

Next up is an interesting piece, a RCMP riding crop. Could come in handy !