Uniform Authentication??

[jholl72]

Hi guys,
I have come across this uniform and was hoping someone might be able to confirm it's originality. It looks good to me, but I am a rookie in this area. Any help, information or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Jeff

[jholl72]

Back of uniform

[jholl72]

Liner

[Isandlwana]

Jeff,

What design, if any, is on the buttons?

My first thought is I don't think it is regular Army, if it is military at all.

Isandlwana

[jholl72]

Hi Isandlwana,
The buttons have a Victorian crown and say Montreal Engineers. The ME's were part of Canada's militia from 1862-1892. There is not alot of information out there about them, that I could find. I have tried to find anything that resembles this uniform online and other than a line drawing of something close...I never found anything.
I have attached a pic of the button, it's not that clear but it is all I could get from the seller.
Thanks,
Jeff

[jholl72]

The only other pic I have. I thought there was alot of leeway in what the militia was able to wear, the only constraint being the budget of the Regiment....but like I said I am a rookie at this stuff.LOL!

[Isandlwana]

Jeff,

I pass I'm afraid, Canadian militia isn't my forte.

Is there anything in Notman Collection of the McCord Museum that might help?

Isandlwana

[jholl72]

Jeff,

I pass I'm afraid, Canadian militia isn't my forte.

Is there anything in Notman Collection of the McCord Museum that might help?

Isandlwana

Hi Isandlwana,
Thanks for trying anyway, I appreciate your input. To be honest this was my first stop in the research process. I will try the McCord Museum, the modern Regiment may have some historical records and I will try the Canadian War Museum also. These seem to be rather obscure and finding information is proving to be difficult.
I will post back here when I find out anything, so there will be something for members to use as reference.
Thanks,
Jeff

[jholl72]

Bump this to the top also. I have mixed reviews of this one. Some say authentic period military uniform but no reference can be found and others say theatrical. Hopefully we can add some new information to this one.
Thanks,
Jeff

[Stuart_Bates]

I am no authority on uniforms, and especially Canadian Militia, but I find it difficult to accept that Engineers would wear a Hussar style tunic. I must accept that militia could do what they liked but was of the opinion that Colonial forces almost always took their lead from the British Army.

I notice that the top four buttons are different to the bottom two on the front of the tunic. The lace to the collar also seems wrong as it is an ORs tunic and looks like it was tacked on at a much later date. What is under the lace?

Again on the lace I checked the 1900 DRs for the British Army and the closest match I found was to the 14th Hussars.

Just a couple of observations.

Stuart

14th Hussars Lace011.jpg (89.63 KiB) Viewed 265 times