WW2 Canadian Merchant Navy Master Officers Cuff Rank Insignia Pair 5

WW2 Canadian Merchant Navy Master Officers Cuff Rank Insignia Pair This pair of cuff rank insignia represents the rank of Master Officer in the Canadian Merchant Navy during the Second World War. The insignia are constructed from dark navy blue wool with gold bullion wire embroidery, forming the distinctive stripes and loop unique to the rank of Master Officer. These insignia would have been worn on the lower sleeve cuffs of a uniform tunic, denoting senior authority on merchant vessels. The Canadian Merchant Navy played a critical role in providing essential supply and transport throughout WWII, and officers’ insignia conformed to patterns established by civilian maritime tradition, incorporating elements to distinguish Canadian service. This specific pair shows the design features typical of the period, including the width and arrangement of the gold stripes. Such original insignia are encountered as part of military and maritime collections, providing material evidence of Canada’s contribution to the Allied merchant marine effort during the war.