Interesting WW2 Pin

Hey guys,

On my downtime, I like checking out antique stores.
If it's old, or primitive-looking ill buy it.

There's one Antique store in my town that is 3 stories tall, and each floor has got to be at least 3000 square feet.
The place is massive and packed.

There isnt a square inch of the place not being utilized.
Boxes, drawers, and shelves are loaded with odds and ends from a time forgotten.

A friend of mine went not to long ago and found an interesting pin.
The pin is from WW2 and is sterling silver.
When he showed it to me, I offered him $20 right there for it.
He said it cost him $1 and told me to buy him a coffee.
Its a General Service pin.

What attracted me to it, is the inscription on the back of the crest:

"Penalty for misuse 500 dollars or six months imprisonment"
"Sterling"

I had never come across WW2 memorabilia with a threat of jail or a fine before.
$500 in the 1940s would be quite a hefty sum to have to pay up.

Anyways, I wanted to show you guys the pin.
Has anyone else come across anything else similar?
Does anyone know what the serial number means?

Front of the pin



Back of pin

Canadian? I see maple leaves on there.

a reply to: TaninimLong

Correct, it is Canadian... well I'm assuming it is.

originally posted by: TaninimLong
Canadian? I see maple leaves on there.

Yep.
www.ebay.com... e=pla&googleloc=9003648&poi=2124&campaignid=2086088343&mkgroupid=77258593596&rlsatarget=pla-596843708878&abcId=1141016&merchantid=101690614&gclid=CjwK CAiAluLvBRASEiwAAbX3GWki18nlI8uEZEWzQhC3dOFh_DdnXk-A31-KDGGba9_GTnfVa_DY4RoCAtEQAvD_BwE

a reply to: Trueman

Thanks!

So is the number on the back, just the item production number?
It would be awesome if it was registered somewhere, who got what pin.
Then to be able to read up on that soldier a bit.

originally posted by: Macenroe82
a reply to: Trueman

Thanks!

So is the number on the back, just the item production number?
It would be awesome if it was registered somewhere, who got what pin.
Then to be able to read up on that soldier a bit.

That would be awesome. Be able to find his descendants and return the pin to them👍

a reply to: Trueman

Indeed!

He might have quite a few descendants though.

www.veterans.gc.ca...

This was for members of the Naval, Military or Air Forces of Canada who have declared their willingness, or who have engaged, to serve in any of the said forces on active service beyond Canada and Overseas, during the present war, and who have been honourably ceased to serve on active service:

1) After not less than three months of continuous paid service
2) By reason of physical disability

so this was for / worn by Canadians who honorably served and were discharged, or were in the process of serving.
sweet find.

I contacted the Military History Research Centre at the Canadian War Museum today and got this response:

"Thank you for contacting the Military History Research Centre at the Canadian War Museum. Your question was forwarded to my attention.

The number on the back of the service badge is actually related to the individual soldier who received it. The ledgers that match pin numbers to names is held by Library and Archives Canada, but unfortunately has not been digitized, so you would need to consult it in person in Ottawa. The finding aid attached to the record I’ve linked to above notes that this pin was given to someone in the army and the name would be found in box 5 of the set of ledgers. You may wish to email Library and Archives directly to see if they can provide you the information through their reference services."

I hope this helps in your research.
Kind regards,

Christina Parsons
Librarian, Military History Research Centre
Canadian War Museum


So that's pretty damn cool!

a reply to: Macenroe82

We must have someone in Ottawa. Otherwise, I see a little trip in your future

a reply to: Trueman

I went to the library's contact page and sent them an email.
Hopefully, someone gets back to me sooner than later.

originally posted by: Macenroe82
a reply to: Trueman
I went to the library's contact page and sent them an email.
Hopefully, someone gets back to me sooner than later.

You know I like treasure hunting and this kind of stuff is exciting for me. Nothing like digging history

This thread will have a second chapter for sure.

a reply to: Trueman

Ya, I love it to.
I really hope they get back to me tomorrow.
I’m almost considering signing up for Facebook to try to hunt the family down once I get a name to go on.
Awesome time of year too, to get a call from someone claiming they have something that belongs to their potentially great-grand parent.
I know I’d be happy if I got that unexpected call or message

Nice find! Not bad at all for a cup of coffee. I sometimes buy ww2 pins and such on the rare occasion I find one at an antique store or yard sale but I have never seen a Canadian one before. Really cool item

a reply to: Macenroe82

Great find!

"Penalty for misuse 500 dollars or six months imprisonment"

I wonder if 'misuse' was referring to using the badge to falsely claim service, I.E. stolen valour / military imposter;

In Canada, section 419 of the Criminal Code makes it a crime to wear a uniform from the Canadian Forces without authority as well as any awards or marks not earned.

Wiki

Very interesting and cool

a reply to: MerkabaTribeEntity

I was thinking the same thing.
And $500 in 1945 was quite the chunk of change to fork out.

a reply to: Macenroe82

That's about $7k with inflation, according to this calculator, still a hefty chunk of change there 💰