The RCMP in Pullman City Harz
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police on a visit in Pullman City in the Harz Mountains
Monday, October 26, 2020
From the 16th to 18th of October the regular autumn rendezvous took place in Pullman City Harz. The Two Rivers Privity was also on site - with a small unit of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Together with our host Sam Endres, the owner of the General Trading Company, we took some great photos, which we do not want to withhold from you!
Die zuvor „North West Mounted Police“ genannte Polizeieinheit entstand im Jahr 1873. Die kanadische Regierung rief sie ins Leben, um all den Gesetzeslosen, illegalen Schnapsbrennen und „unruhigen Indianern“ – wie es zu dieser Zeit hieß – entlang der kanadischen Grenze Herr zu werden. Mit einer Sollstärke von ganzen 300 Mann auf einer Grenzlänge von 8.891 km sicherlich eine schier unmögliche Aufgabe.
This was also stated in an edition of the Toronto Mail in 1874:
Sharp may be the steel, concise the blow and short the pain,
which they must endure.
Und doch wurde die rote Uniform der „Mounties“ zu einem Symbol der Vertrauenswürdigkeit für viele indigene Stämme in Grenznähe. Die Truppe verdiente sich vor allem in den Anfängen einen Namen, da viele der Konflikte ohne Gewalt und Blutvergießen geschlichtet werden konnten.
Sam Endres, Pullman City (left) and Chet McCay, Two Rivers Privity (right)
Die Darstellung der NWMP erweist sich als kompliziert
However, our representation (unfortunately) does not go back to the time of the North West Mounted Police. Although the clothing of the RCMP has hardly changed since about 1900, we are wearing uniforms in these photos that date back to about 1980. Originals from the time of the former law enforcement officers are very hard to get and are quite expensive.
Colton White, Sam Endres & ChetMcCay (left to right)
The red of the uniform was already the identifying feature of the unit back in the days of the North West Mounted Police. The RCMP's dress uniform of today is brown.
Since we have been asked several times: Alone with these original uniforms the acquisition costs are in the four-digit dollar range. Another problem, which is especially apparent for reenactors outside of Canada, is the continuing export stop of the uniform.
Wir bedanken uns ganz herzlich bei Gill McCay für die tollen Fotos und sind auch in 2021 wieder dabei, wenn es darum geht „lebendige Geschichte“ in Pullman City Harz zu präsentieren.
Of course we are also looking forward to the opportunity to bring our hobby closer to others. Don't be afraid to contact us or leave a comment below the post!
Get in contact with the RCMP of the Two Rivers Privity
Colton White & Gill McCay
Further reading
Wer sich für die Materie interessiert, dem können wir das Buch „Die Kanadier“ aus der TIME LIFE Serie „Der Wilde Westen“ sehr ans Herz legen! Hier wird unter anderem auf die Entwicklung der North West Mounted Police eingegangen und auf die Herausforderungen, denen sich die angehenden Polizisten stellen mussten.
Here are three more books, which offer a very good insight into the North West Mounted Police, as well as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Happy Reading!
- Forty Years in Canada: North-West Mounted Police (2001)
- Pictorial History of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (1973)
- RCMP: The March West (1999)
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See you next time!
Colton White & Chet McCay – Beaver Creek Pioneer
