{"product_id":"rare-boer-war-canadian-slouch-hat-badge-by-tiptaft","title":"Rare Boer War Canadian slouch hat badge by TIPTAFT.","description":"\u003cp\u003eA rare Boer War Canadian slouch hat badge, bearing the Queen Victoria crown and made in Britain by Tiptaft of Birmingham. Badge size is 60mm high x 53mm across.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe badge takes the form of a finely veined maple leaf, surmounted by the Queen's crown, with a scroll across the lower leaf bearing CANADA in raised letters. The detail is crisp throughout, from the crown jewelling and fleur de lys to the veins of the leaf. A long slider on the reverse is stamped with the Tiptaft, Birmingham maker's mark.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe South African War marked the first time Canada sent an organised force to fight overseas. When the first contingent was offered in October 1899, there were no khaki uniforms in stock, so everything had to be made in a matter of weeks. Those first men wore the British cork helmet. Every contingent that followed was issued the broad-brimmed felt slouch hat, and it became the most recognisable sign of a Canadian soldier in South Africa.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Royal Canadian Dragoons, Canadian Mounted Rifles and Royal Canadian Field Artillery all wore this crowned maple leaf on their slouch hats, with brass letters on the shoulder straps showing the unit. The badge and hat together set the Canadians apart from the rest of the British forces in the field.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Queen's crown places this badge firmly in the Victorian period, before her death in January 1901. Most Canadian badges of this pattern were made at home. A British-made example by Tiptaft is rarely seen and highly desirable to collectors of Canadian and Anglo-Boer War insignia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCondition: good original condition with an even, mellow patina. The stem is intact and the slider is secure.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gradia Militaria","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54221026623816,"sku":"10227","price":125.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0924\/1103\/5976\/files\/IMG-2639.heic?v=1791206627","url":"https:\/\/www.gradiamilitaria.com\/products\/rare-boer-war-canadian-slouch-hat-badge-by-tiptaft","provider":"Gradia Militaria","version":"1.0","type":"link"}