Originating in Ontario, Canada this tintype photograph depicts a sergeant of an unidentified Canadian militia battalion.

Unfortunately, the helmet plate on his foreign service helmet is out of focus enough to prevent positive identification of his battalion. He wears an 1880s pattern militia tunic similar to that worn by the Royal Marine Light Infantry of the same period but without badges of any sort which seems to have been typical of Canadian militia units at the time. The spike on his helmet is mounted on a ventilated brass dome.

 

As with all tintype or ferrotype photographs the image is reversed hence the sergeant appearing to wear his chevrons on the left sleeve instead of the right as well as his sash seeming to be worn over his left shoulder instead to the right.

This sergeant was probably typical of those NCO's who served during the Riel Rebellion in the mid 1880's.

1/6 Plate Tintype or Ferrotype
Unknown Photographer
Ontario, Canada
c. 1880