Canada, CEF. A First War Service Tunic of the 3rd Battalion

This is a well preserved dress uniform tunic belonging to a soldier of the 3rd Battalion. It is constructed of olive drab coloured woven wool, featuring a traditional turned-down collar that transitions into a double-breasted lapel. The collar is decorated on each side with a single insignia consisting of a C3 denoting the 3rd Battalion, each held in place via a cotter pin on the underside of the collar. The collar is flanked on either side by a set of sewn-on shoulder boards that are sewn in place at the shoulder and secured to the uniform using a circular leather tortoise shell patterned button. Each tab is decorated at the shoulder with a brass badge reading “CANADA” equally held in place via a cotter pin on the underside of the tab. This tunic features a total of four exterior-mounted pockets, with two at breast height and two at waist height. All pockets are pleated, and are secured shut via a scalloped flap and a singular matching button of patterned leather. The two sides of the tunic are secured shut via four large buttons that are met by a reinforced horizontal-slit button hole on the opposing side. Above the lower pockets is a thick band for the placement of an overbelt, featuring a brass J hook on each side of the tunic. Both sleeves are decorated at the cuff using a strip of tresse, as well as a vertically-oriented scalloped flap, decorated by an embroidered crown insignia. Below each shoulder is a red patch and green triangle insignia, which also denotes 3rd Battalion. The left sleeve presents a vertical wound strip above the cuff. The interior is partially lined with matching olive-drab coloured fabric along the back portion of the tunic, leaving the interior of both breast flaps unlined. An interior pocket is present on the left side. The liner exhibits wear and tear from use, slight mothing and discoloration. This tunic measures 46 cm across the shoulders (seam to seam), with a sleeve length of 59 cm (shoulder to cuff), with an overall length of 78.5 cm. The exterior is very well preserved but still demonstrates areas of slight mothing throughout. The tunic is in overall near extremely fine condition.