Material: Brass
Diameter: 25mm
Description: This original Canadian military youth uniform button measures 25mm in diameter and is struck from high-grade brass with a rich golden finish. The domed obverse features a beautifully detailed central eagle with outspread wings, facing towards the right with its talons clutching a small stylized base. Resting directly atop the head of the eagle is a classic Canadian three-pointed maple leaf silhouette. The arched organization title "AIR CADETS" curves elegantly across the upper perimeter in high-relief block typography, balanced by the country name "CANADA" spanning the bottom border. On the reverse side, the piece is securely fitted with a heavy wire sewing loop and deeply stamped with the maker hallmark reading "WM. SCULLY LTD MONTREAL".
Circa: 1941-1968
Notes:
The Air Cadet League of Canada was officially established in April 1941 to train teenage boys for future aviation service during the height of the Second World War. This large 25mm button served as the primary closure down the center front of the standard heavy wool service tunic worn by teenage cadets across the nation. The central motif of the eagle surmounted by a maple leaf was carefully designed to echo the official insignia of the wartime Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), providing the young trainees with a direct visual link to the frontline pilots they aspired to emulate.
For militaria and button collectors, the reverse manufacturer stamping is an exceptional tool for authentication and historical dating. William Scully Ltd. is recognized as Canada's most celebrated producer of military regalia, operating out of Montreal since 1877 to supply elite forces with buttons, badges, and swords. This specific design variant was retired in 1968 following the unification of the Canadian Armed Forces, when the organization was rebranded as the "Royal Canadian Air Cadets" and transitioned to standardized tri-service uniform accessories. When evaluating examples, collectors pay close attention to the crispness of the eagle's wing feathers and look for a natural aged patina, while avoiding specimens that have been overly cleaned with harsh chemicals that strip the original wartime gilt finish.