A First War Canadian Trench Cap To The 116Th Infantry Battalion

This dress cap is fabricated from a greenish-khaki twill, with two narrow brown leather straps and two buckles creating the chin strap, of adjustable length resting upon the visor, slotted at the ends, secured on both sides by original leather buttons, each button illustrating the Royal coat-of-arms. Immediately above the buttons on both sides are two reinforced ventilation holes with olive green painted metal eyelets. The front has a 46.3 mm x 47 mm pickled copper cap badge of the 116th Infantry Battalion "Ontario County Infantry Battalion" affixed to the cap via two lugs and pin. Smaller flat visor without stiffener, both sides of the visor covered with the same greenish-khaki twill as the exterior of the cap. Inside, the side of the cap is lined in white cotton, the domed lined in mustard-coloured cotton and stamped in black ink with the "S. SCHNEIDERS & SON." maker mark, the size "7 1/8" and the date "1918". It is also marked with a Broad Arrow production mark, surrounded by "228" above, "W" to the left, "D" to the right and "P" below. The cap measures 250 mm x 260 mm x 90 mm overall, with mothing evident on the crown and scattered areas throughout on the exterior, light wear and crazing present on the leather chin strap, the interior exhibiting light period soiling from active use. Worn but near very fine.

Footnote: The 116th Infantry Battalion was raised in Ontario County with mobilization headquarters at Uxbridge under the authority of G.O. 151, December 22, 1915. The Battalion sailed July 23, 1916 with a strength of 36 officers and 943 other ranks under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel S. Sharpe. The Battalion served in France and Belgium, replacing the 60th Battalion on February 11, 1917 with the 9th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Division. It was disbanded on September 15, 1920.