Canada, Dominion. A 90Th Winnipeg Battalion Of Rifles Helmet Plate, Post 1885 Version

In die-stamped silver plated bronze, unmarked, post 1885 version with Batoche and Fish Creek battle honours, measuring 74.8 mm (w) x 101.3 mm (h), all three screwposts intact, very light contact, scattered silverung wear, near extremely fine.

Footnote: The 90th Winnipeg Battalion of Rifles was mobilized for active service on April 10, 1885. It served as part of Middleton's Column of the North West Field Force and earned the moniker 'The Little Black Devils of Canada’ during the 1885 North-West Rebellion. During that conflict, government forces, clad in dark rifle green, almost black uniforms, combatted uprisings by the Métis people under Louis Riel and the Cree and Assiniboine of the District of Saskatchewan. This led to the indigenous and Métis fighters referring to their opponents as 'little black devils', which the soldiers came to adopt as an ironic badge of honour. The battalion was removed from active service on September 18, 1885. The First War 8th Infantry Battalion CEF and the 90th Infantry Battalion CEF, along with modern day The Royal Winnipeg Rifles trace their heritage to this regiment.