Canada. A Queen’s Own Rifles Busby with Plume and Metal Case

A busby in black lambs wool covering a cork frame, top in black felt, with black cording to the front back and sides, a red and black embroidered central cockade with a superimposed white metal crown. A QOR metal cap badge in blackened metal with red felted backing sits on the front of the cap, measuring 51.6 mm (w) x 63 mm (h). Insignia is present on each side in the form of a metal star with hook for the attached cord, and one lower depicting a rose with hook for the chinstrap. The top of the reverse offers a lion’s head with a ring connected to the chinstrap of chain sewn to a leather strap with replacement blue velvet lining. The interior presents a wide 7.5cm leather sweatband sewn to a burgundy silk strip which is rouged around the center. The base, of burgundy silk, offers the maker’s mark of HOBSON & SONS ARMY CONTRACTORS CAP AND ACCOUTREMENT MAKERS LONDON, a notable British military outfitter of the 19th century. 

The plume, comprising black feathers, with decorative red feathers around the metal base, and attached to a long metal prong which sits in the socket behind the cockade of the busby. Measuring 36.5 cm in total length (base of prong to top of feathers), exhibiting light wear and fraying to the feathers, in very fine condition. 

The busby measures 18 cm across the width x 23 cm across the length of the base x 16 cm high. The interior sweatband exhibits staining and a light loss of the thread along the seam. The exterior exhibits light wear, discolouration of metal insignia, and wear to the chinstrap. Remains in very fine condition. 

The busby is contained in a metal trapezoidal case, with single hinged lid, yellow painted interior (base), with a cloth piece to aid maintaining the form of the busby. Measuring 41 cm (w) x 30.5 ,, (l) x 26 cm (h). A singular handle is on the top, with a latch catch on the side, several dents and one puncture to the lid, remains near very fine.