Col. Sam Steele...... Yes or No

OK everyone.......

Has the seller found something great or is it ???????

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WWI-Era-Named-British-Colonels-Dress-Coat-Distinguished-Decorated-Canadian-/142017080775?hash=item2110e0adc7:g:fZ8AAOSwzJ5XVdsb

Mike

Good day Mike,

There are three things that spring to mind, reading the seller's description.  First is his lack of knowledge about Canadians receiving the V.C.  I believe there are at least two Canadians who received it before Steele made a name for himself in the Mounties in North West Canada.  One was William Hall, who served in the Royal Navy in India during the Mutiny.  The other, I forget his name, served in the British Army during the Crimean War.

Secondly, I don't recall Steele ever having won the V.C. to begin with.  I could be mistaken and if someone knows better, I'll willingly apologize.

Thirdly, although it may be faded, I don't think the first ribbon on the ribbon bar is the V.C. Looks more like the Victorian Order to my eyes. Again, I might stand to be corrected.

So, with that in mind, I'd need more proof before I'd part with any coin for that particular coat.  My thoughts anyway.

Cheers,

Ian

Ian B wrote:Good day Mike,

There are three things that spring to mind, reading the seller's description.  First is his lack of knowledge about Canadians receiving the V.C.  I believe there are at least two Canadians who received it before Steele made a name for himself in the Mounties in North West Canada.  One was William Hall, who served in the Royal Navy in India during the Mutiny.  The other, I forget his name, served in the British Army during the Crimean War.

Secondly, I don't recall Steele ever having won the V.C. to begin with.  I could be mistaken and if someone knows better, I'll willingly apologize.

Thirdly, although it may be faded, I don't think the first ribbon on the ribbon bar is the V.C.  Looks more like the Victorian Order to my eyes.  Again, I might stand to be corrected.

So, with that in mind, I'd need more proof before I'd part with any coin for that particular coat.  My thoughts anyway.

Cheers,

Ian

Hi Ian......

No he did not win the VC but that is the ribbon for the CB...... Later getting the KCMG.....

I was present when his uniforms and medals were unpacked at the Glenbow Museum after they were sold by the family to the Province of Alberta.....
His papers went to the Provincial Archives in Edmonton and Uniforms to Calgary......

Mike


Oh Yes.......

Alexander Roberts Dunn VC (15 September 1833 – 25 January 1868) was the first Canadian awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.


William Edward Hall[1] VC (28 April 1827 – 27 August 1904) was the first black person, first Nova Scotian, and third Canadian to receive the Victoria Cross. He received the medal for his actions in the Siege of Lucknow during the Indian Rebellion. Hall and an officer from his ship continued to load and fire a 24-pounder gun at the walls after the rest of the party had been killed or injured by the defenders

So, two out of three isn't bad. Again, not my area of interest, but still wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole.

Ian

I am leaning toward the positive on this one. It is outside my area of knowledge, but it outwardly looks fine to me. If I was interested (more than I am) I would do a little more research as I do think this will realize an enormous price in the end.

On the sidelines watching with morbid curiosity for sure.

Theres something that doesnt sit well with me about that label. Does it look like its been resewn/removed from something else? Wouldnt it show more wear? The collar itself shows wear but the label looks unworn.

The label looks correct to me, I had a RNWMP buffalo coat that had a similar label, but without more background this is still a crapshoot.