NEW TO THE COLLECTION--- 9th BATTALION or VOLTIGEURS DE QUEBEC

Yeohelmetguy

Well-known member
Hello Forum Members,

As primarily a collector of Victorian and Edwardian British military headdress, as a sub-set of my British collection I maintain a very small collection of the same period Canadian military headdress. Another new addition to that small collection is a Canadian made Victorian 1861-1869 pattern other-ranks shako to the . The shako is excellent condition, of cork construction covered in “rifle green” cloth with black patent-leather bindings and front bill. The front of the shako is adorned with a black painted bronze regimental pattern badge and the shako is topped with a black cock's feather plume. The interior is marked “9B” indicating it is a pre-1900 shako since the Voltigeurs de Quebec did not become a regiment size entity until 1900 when most Canadian Militia battalions transformed into regiment size organizations.

Les Voltigeurs de Québec were formed in Quebec City, Quebec on 7 March 1862 as the 9th Battalion, Volunteer Militia Rifles, Canada (or "'Voltigeurs of Quebec'"). It was redesignated the 9th Regiment Voltigeurs de Québec on 8 May 1900, and, following the Great War, Les Voltigeurs de Québec on 29 March 1920. During the Second World War it was designated the 2nd (Reserve) Battalion, Les Voltigeurs de Québec on 10 May 1941 and Les Voltigeurs de Québec (Reserve) on 15 September 1944. After the Second World War it was designated Les Voltigeurs de Québec (Motor) on 1 April 1946. On 1 September 1954, it was amalgamated with Le Régiment de Québec (Mitrailleuses) and redesignated Les Voltigeurs de Québec (Mitrailleuses). It was, again, redesignated Les Voltigeurs de Québec on 11 April 1958. On 22 February 1965, the regiment was amalgamated with The Royal Rifles of Canada. The two regiments ceased to be amalgamated on 1 November 1966 and the “Voltigeurs de Quebec” continue as an active infantry regiment on the Canadian order of battle.

I hope you find this more unusual shako of interest… and thank you for looking at this post.

Cheers,

David

9th Voltigeurs 3 Copy.jpg

9th Voltigeurs 6 Copy.jpg

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9th Voltigeurs 4 Copy.jpg9th Voltigeurs 7.jpg

9th Voltigeurs 2.jpg

9th Voltigeurs 8.jpg
 
That is a fine piece of our History in excellent condition! Congratulations!
THANK YOU!!! I feel lucky to have found this shako and in such remarkably good condition and yes, interesting piece of Canadian military dress, though I must confess, I reverted to my army days and used a tried-and-true polishing method to bring the patent-leather back to its original appearance... as always, I appreciate your comments and you taking time to view this post!

Cheers,

David
 
That is a fine piece of our History in excellent condition! Congratulations

I really like that one the feathers really set it off (y)(y)

The feathers remind me of Franz Jose
... thank you!!! The cock's feather plume is pretty spectacular, I particularly like the iridescent effect, the shifting color from black to deep green to dark purple depending how the light plays on it...

Cheers,

David
 
That is a fine piece of our History in excellent condition! Congratulations

I really like that one the feathers really set it off (y)(y)

The feathers remind me of Franz Jose
... thank you!!! The cock's feather plume is pretty spectacular, I particularly like the iridescent effect, the shifting color from black to deep green to dark purple depending how the light plays on it...

Cheers,

David
Beautiful shako with impressive plume in great condition. Congrats and thank you for sharing (y)
Hi Sandy,

Thank you!!! I wish you could see this shako in person, the pictures of it might be nice, but don't do the headdress justice... it is in remarkable great condition given its age... the exterior has very few flaws... loss of the blackening to the bronze front badge being the most obvious... the cock's feather plume is superb, and the interior shows wear commiserate with its age... all-in-all a luck find! Thanks for viewing tis post!!!!

Cheers,

David
 
That is a fine piece of our History in excellent condition! Congratulations

I really like that one the feathers really set it off (y)(y)

The feathers remind me of Franz Jose
... thank you!!! The cock's feather plume is pretty spectacular, I particularly like the iridescent effect, the shifting color from black to deep green to dark purple depending how the light plays on it...

Cheers,

David
Beautiful shako with impressive plume in great condition. Congrats and thank you for sharing (y)
Hi Sandy,

Thank you!!! I wish you could see this shako in person, the pictures of it might be nice, but don't do the headdress justice... it is in remarkable great condition given its age... the exterior has very few flaws... loss of the blackening to the bronze front badge being the most obvious... the cock's feather plume is superb, and the interior shows wear commiserate with its age... all-in-all a luck find! Thanks for viewing tis post!!!!

Cheers,

David
Great shako! Thanks for sharing!
... THANK YOU, Noah... I appreciate your remarks and you taking the time to view this post... keep an eye out, I have several other new pieces of British Victorian and Edwardian military headdress share in up-coming posts!

Cheers,

David
 
I am wondering David….what is the purpose of the blackened face on the rear of this piece? Just a decoration perhaps or something else? We also see the typical “Victoria Crown” here, the female royal crown. It might enlighten some of the membership to talk about Queens Crown vs Kings Crown 😊. Now that Charles has come to the throne, tradition demands many changes to military badges, insignia, coinage etc. The CN mint has started to produce King Charles coins for example.
 
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David:

If I may? Did you find this in Quebec/Ontario? I think I've seen this piece before in the collection of a good friend of mine, who passed in 2008.

It's an excellent example. My friend was the person who told me, "Never buy anything that you'll have to make excuses for." This piece is a prime example of that advice.
 
That is a fine piece of our History in excellent condition! Congratulations

I really like that one the feathers really set it off (y)(y)

The feathers remind me of Franz Jose
... thank you!!! The cock's feather plume is pretty spectacular, I particularly like the iridescent effect, the shifting color from black to deep green to dark purple depending how the light plays on it...

Cheers,

David
Beautiful shako with impressive plume in great condition. Congrats and thank you for sharing (y)
Hi Sandy,

Thank you!!! I wish you could see this shako in person, the pictures of it might be nice, but don't do the headdress justice... it is in remarkable great condition given its age... the exterior has very few flaws... loss of the blackening to the bronze front badge being the most obvious... the cock's feather plume is superb, and the interior shows wear commiserate with its age... all-in-all a luck find! Thanks for viewing tis post!!!!

Cheers,

David
Great shako! Thanks for sharing!
... THANK YOU, Noah... I appreciate your remarks and you taking the time to view this post... keep an eye out, I have several other new pieces of British Victorian and Edwardian military headdress share in up-coming posts!

Cheers,

David
I am wondering David….what is the purpose of the blackened face on the rear of this piece? Just a decoration perhaps or something else? We also see the typical “Victoria Crown” here, the female royal crown. It might enlighten some of the membership to talk about Queens Crown vs Kings Crown 😊. Now that Charles has come to the throne, tradition demands many changes to military badges, insignia, coinage etc. The CN mint has started to produce King Charles coins for example.
... the "Medusa" looking face at the rear of the shako covers the air ventilation hole that allows for some degree of air circulation to the wearers head. If ones looks inside the shako, the circular ventilation hole is visible and the cover for that hole, in this case the face, is held in place by the four long wires that protrude through the hole. There are smaller holes in the "face" that allow air into the shako.

As for the variety of crowns displayed on British military accouterments, crowns are a very common and a prominent feature of design or pattern that can help date a badge. Here are three main types of crowns seen on regimental insignia and one less used crown, the Guelphic Crown. As with many aspects of British dress regulations, the regulations are not always the regulations, case in point in the Rifle Brigade where the Victorian Crown and the Guelphic Crown were used interchangeably at various periods, as an example.

1. Victorian Crown (1837-1902): This style of crown was used during Queen Victoria’s reign.

R.jpg

e5ddc4ce8c6121ef6d29632fcfdedece.jpg

2. King’s Crown (Tudor Crown, 1902-1953, 2022-present): After Queen Victoria, King Edward VII, King George V, King George VI and currently King Charles III used this crown on military badges.

c8149db2b4174e43703b1cf9419af34b A.jpg

IMG_330533-1500x1500.jpg

3. Queen’s Crown (1953-2022): Following King George VI’s reign, Queen Elizabeth II adopted a new crown design for military insignia and badges.

c8149db2b4174e43703b1cf9419af34b B.jpg

27486-1.jpg


4. Guelphic Crown (Prince Alberts Crown): This crown is of Hanoverian origin introduced into the British Army with the marriage of Queen Victoria to Prince Albert of Hanover. This crown was/is used on the accoutrements of a very small number British regiments such as the Scottish Rifles and The Rifle Brigade (The Pince Consort Own).

rifle-brigade---full-size-pre-1903--white-metal-other-ranks-metal-cap-badge.jpg
Guelphic Crown

military badges - 11th december 035 (1052x1280)-1500x1500.jpg
Guelphic Crown

0aayzhghjgfjhf9999864_17.jpg
King's Crown

I do hope this is mildly helpful and, in some measure, address the crown type question.

Cheers,

David
 
That is a fine piece of our History in excellent condition! Congratulations

I really like that one the feathers really set it off (y)(y)

The feathers remind me of Franz Jose
... thank you!!! The cock's feather plume is pretty spectacular, I particularly like the iridescent effect, the shifting color from black to deep green to dark purple depending how the light plays on it...

Cheers,

David
Beautiful shako with impressive plume in great condition. Congrats and thank you for sharing (y)
Hi Sandy,

Thank you!!! I wish you could see this shako in person, the pictures of it might be nice, but don't do the headdress justice... it is in remarkable great condition given its age... the exterior has very few flaws... loss of the blackening to the bronze front badge being the most obvious... the cock's feather plume is superb, and the interior shows wear commiserate with its age... all-in-all a luck find! Thanks for viewing tis post!!!!

Cheers,

David
Great shako! Thanks for sharing!
... THANK YOU, Noah... I appreciate your remarks and you taking the time to view this post... keep an eye out, I have several other new pieces of British Victorian and Edwardian military headdress share in up-coming posts!

Cheers,

David
I am wondering David….what is the purpose of the blackened face on the rear of this piece? Just a decoration perhaps or something else? We also see the typical “Victoria Crown” here, the female royal crown. It might enlighten some of the membership to talk about Queens Crown vs Kings Crown 😊. Now that Charles has come to the throne, tradition demands many changes to military badges, insignia, coinage etc. The CN mint has started to produce King Charles coins for example.
... the "Medusa" looking face at the rear of the shako covers the air ventilation hole that allows for some degree of air circulation to the wearers head. If ones looks inside the shako, the circular ventilation hole is visible and the cover for that hole, in this case the face, is held in place by the four long wires that protrude through the hole. There are smaller holes in the "face" that allow air into the shako.

As for the variety of crowns displayed on British military accouterments, crowns are a very common and a prominent feature of design or pattern that can help date a badge. Here are three main types of crowns seen on regimental insignia and one less used crown, the Guelphic Crown. As with many aspects of British dress regulations, the regulations are not always the regulations, case in point in the Rifle Brigade where the Victorian Crown and the Guelphic Crown were used interchangeably at various periods, as an example.

1. Victorian Crown (1837-1902): This style of crown was used during Queen Victoria’s reign.

View attachment 47868

View attachment 47869

2. King’s Crown (Tudor Crown, 1902-1953, 2022-present): After Queen Victoria, King Edward VII, King George V, King George VI and currently King Charles III used this crown on military badges.

View attachment 47870

View attachment 47871

3. Queen’s Crown (1953-2022): Following King George VI’s reign, Queen Elizabeth II adopted a new crown design for military insignia and badges.

View attachment 47872

View attachment 47874


4. Guelphic Crown (Prince Alberts Crown): This crown is of Hanoverian origin introduced into the British Army with the marriage of Queen Victoria to Prince Albert of Hanover. This crown was/is used on the accoutrements of a very small number British regiments such as the Scottish Rifles and The Rifle Brigade (The Pince Consort Own).

View attachment 47875
Guelphic Crown

View attachment 47876
Guelphic Crown

View attachment 47877
King's Crown

I do hope this is mildly helpful and, in some measure, address the crown type question.

Cheers,

David
David, c'est magnifique!
Another beautiful piece to your collection,thanks for sharing.

Cheers,
Dennis
Hello Dennis.... again, THANK YOU for your very generous remarks!! It is always a great pleasure to hear from you... so pleased your took time to look at this and my other posts... I trust all is well with you?! Again, many thanks!!!

Cheers,

David
 
That is a fine piece of our History in excellent condition! Congratulations

I really like that one the feathers really set it off (y)(y)

The feathers remind me of Franz Jose
... thank you!!! The cock's feather plume is pretty spectacular, I particularly like the iridescent effect, the shifting color from black to deep green to dark purple depending how the light plays on it...

Cheers,

David
Beautiful shako with impressive plume in great condition. Congrats and thank you for sharing (y)
Hi Sandy,

Thank you!!! I wish you could see this shako in person, the pictures of it might be nice, but don't do the headdress justice... it is in remarkable great condition given its age... the exterior has very few flaws... loss of the blackening to the bronze front badge being the most obvious... the cock's feather plume is superb, and the interior shows wear commiserate with its age... all-in-all a luck find! Thanks for viewing tis post!!!!

Cheers,

David
Great shako! Thanks for sharing!
... THANK YOU, Noah... I appreciate your remarks and you taking the time to view this post... keep an eye out, I have several other new pieces of British Victorian and Edwardian military headdress share in up-coming posts!

Cheers,

David
I am wondering David….what is the purpose of the blackened face on the rear of this piece? Just a decoration perhaps or something else? We also see the typical “Victoria Crown” here, the female royal crown. It might enlighten some of the membership to talk about Queens Crown vs Kings Crown 😊. Now that Charles has come to the throne, tradition demands many changes to military badges, insignia, coinage etc. The CN mint has started to produce King Charles coins for example.
... the "Medusa" looking face at the rear of the shako covers the air ventilation hole that allows for some degree of air circulation to the wearers head. If ones looks inside the shako, the circular ventilation hole is visible and the cover for that hole, in this case the face, is held in place by the four long wires that protrude through the hole. There are smaller holes in the "face" that allow air into the shako.

As for the variety of crowns displayed on British military accouterments, crowns are a very common and a prominent feature of design or pattern that can help date a badge. Here are three main types of crowns seen on regimental insignia and one less used crown, the Guelphic Crown. As with many aspects of British dress regulations, the regulations are not always the regulations, case in point in the Rifle Brigade where the Victorian Crown and the Guelphic Crown were used interchangeably at various periods, as an example.

1. Victorian Crown (1837-1902): This style of crown was used during Queen Victoria’s reign.

View attachment 47868

View attachment 47869

2. King’s Crown (Tudor Crown, 1902-1953, 2022-present): After Queen Victoria, King Edward VII, King George V, King George VI and currently King Charles III used this crown on military badges.

View attachment 47870

View attachment 47871

3. Queen’s Crown (1953-2022): Following King George VI’s reign, Queen Elizabeth II adopted a new crown design for military insignia and badges.

View attachment 47872

View attachment 47874


4. Guelphic Crown (Prince Alberts Crown): This crown is of Hanoverian origin introduced into the British Army with the marriage of Queen Victoria to Prince Albert of Hanover. This crown was/is used on the accoutrements of a very small number British regiments such as the Scottish Rifles and The Rifle Brigade (The Pince Consort Own).

View attachment 47875
Guelphic Crown

View attachment 47876
Guelphic Crown

View attachment 47877
King's Crown

I do hope this is mildly helpful and, in some measure, address the crown type question.

Cheers,

David
David, c'est magnifique!
Another beautiful piece to your collection,thanks for sharing.

Cheers,
Dennis
Hello Dennis.... again, THANK YOU for your very generous remarks!! It is always a great pleasure to hear from you... so pleased your took time to look at this and my other posts... I trust all is well with you?! Again, many thanks!!!

Cheers,

David
David:

If I may? Did you find this in Quebec/Ontario? I think I've seen this piece before in the collection of a good friend of mine, who passed in 2008.

It's an excellent example. My friend was the person who told me, "Never buy anything that you'll have to make excuses for." This piece is a prime example of that advice.
Hello Steve,

Yes, this shako came to me from the Ontario area. Your friend was a wise man dispensing sage advice... advice that could the guiding mantra that defines my collecting philosophy. Modesty aside, I have to agree with you, this shako is an exceptional example of a shako to the Voltigeur de Quebec.... your collector friend had a very discerning eye and good judgement in what he acquired for his collection if this shako was, in fact in his collection!

Cheers,

David
 
What a glorious, dramatic piece of headgear. Just beautiful - thanks for sharing!
Hi Jeff... and thank you for looking at this post and for your most enthusiastic comments... it is a moist interesting headdress to a Canadian battalion... not unlike the shako to the London Rifle Brigade of the same period... again, thanks for looking and commenting!!!

Cheers,

David
 
Hello David,
what an interesting headgear! And this time a completely different kind, namely a rare and impressive chaco, whose headdress, the feather, has survived wonderfully over the years. Because very often these important and meaningful attributes are missing and then give the historical piece only a part of its original charisma.
It is wonderful for the generations that the regiment lives on to this day. We can only dream of this tradition in Germany......
Best regards
Frank
 
Hello David,
what an interesting headgear! And this time a completely different kind, namely a rare and impressive chaco, whose headdress, the feather, has survived wonderfully over the years. Because very often these important and meaningful attributes are missing and then give the historical piece only a part of its original charisma.
It is wonderful for the generations that the regiment lives on to this day. We can only dream of this tradition in Germany......
Best regards
Frank
Hello Frank,

How marvelous to receive your note, always a great pleasure to hear from you! Thank you for looking at this post and especially for your observations and very kind comments. I think you are correct, often, these sorts of feather plumes are very fragile with age and have thinned from feather loss or shedding. This plume has held up remarkable well, is full and exceptionally clean, devoid of dust that tends to dull the iridescence of the feathers. But generally speaking, it is an interesting headdress to a long-lived unit and a well-preserved example of a Canadian made British pattern 1861-69 shako... very similar to the pattern worn by the London Rifle Brigade.

I find your comment regarding Germany Army linages most interesting, particularly given Germany's long and historical military tradition... I would have thought that battalions and regiments might carry on some of the titles and traditions of the old German Army back to the days of Fredrick the Great. The British Army for many years carried on the traditions of the 130 plus regiments of the old Victorian and Edwardian army but seem to be drifting further and further away from their roots through the various amalgamations and disburdenment's that have taken place over the years, and the United States Army never really had the linages and traditions found in the old European armies.

Again, lovely to hear from you, thanks for sharing your observations and remarks, always so much appreciated!!!

Cheers,

David
 
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