NORTH WEST MOUNTED POLICE UNIFORMS

Through out the course of the N.W.M.P their have been many different types of uniforms for many different ranks of the police force. The uniform of the North West Mounted Police (N.W.M.P.) was similar to the one worn by the British Army. In fact, the very first uniform used by the N.W.M.P. was issued from militia stores in Ottawa.

The scarlet Norfolk jacket was simple and practical with no trimmings. It was chosen so that the North West Mounted Police would be readily identifiable with the reputation of their British predecessors (rather than the Americans in blue uniform) The uniform was mainly used for gaining the respect of the native people.

The original uniform also included a pill box cap, which was worn tilted to the right side of the head and held on by a thin strap under the chin. They were made of blue cloth and had a yellow or gold ribbon on the top. A dull white helmet was also used.

Other items used by the N.W.M.P. were a white haversack, white gauntlets and a brown leather belt. The belt buckle and buttons eventually had the NWMP on them. A holster on the left side held a Deane and Adams revolver.
for more information go to: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/hist/hnud-nhut/nwmp-pcno-uni-eng.htm