Canada, Dominion. A Victorian-Era Canadian Militia 57th Peterborough Battalion Helmet Plate

In stamped brass, featuring 57 encircled by a wreath of maple leaves and surmounted by a Queen’s crown, three lugs on the reverse, measures 83.7 mm (w) x 103.6 mm (h),  discolouration on the obverse, lug on the reverse of the crown is slightly bent, remains very fine. 

Footnote: The 57th “Peterborough” Battalion of Infantry was a Victorian-era Canadian Militia unit formed in the Province of Ontario. It was officially authorized on September 3, 1867, shortly after Confederation, and was based in Peterborough, Ontario. The battalion drew its recruits from Peterborough and the surrounding counties.

The 57th Battalion was part of the non-permanent active militia, meaning it was a local defense unit rather than part of the small regular army. It trained annually and could be called up for service in emergencies such as the Fenian Raids or domestic disturbances. The battalion wore the standard Canadian militia infantry uniform of the period — dark rifle green or scarlet, depending on the era — and was organized into several local companies spread across the region (for example, Peterborough, Norwood, and Lakefield).

In 1900, the unit was reorganized and redesignated as the 57th Regiment “Peterborough Rangers.” During the South African War (Boer War), several volunteers from the regiment served overseas with Canadian contingents.

The lineage of the 57th eventually continued through the Peterborough Rangers, which later amalgamated in 1936 with The Kawartha Regiment to form part of The Prince of Wales Rangers (Peterborough Regiment)—today perpetuated by The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment of the Canadian Army Reserve.