Milpol

Looks like a reproduction.

Thank you to all who added comments. Have to admit I forgot to return to post. However, having given thought to it I decided to wet the fur, especially as guardsmen have to stand in the rain sometimes. Well it worked to some extent, got rid of a lot of the brown and some of the smell but I didn’t do it again as I didn’t want to tempt providence.

Thank you for your replies. Indeed I am ex redcap and I posted the item because of a request to identify same from a colleague on a RMP site. I left the army in 1976 and it is not an emblem I recognise from my time. Maybe it came in since then? Perhaps someone will see this post and recognise it. There has been no recognition posted on the RMP site and there are subscribers who left later than me. Because of the type of crown I think that if not British army perhaps it is a commonwealth force.

Any one help with identifying this badge.

Thank you for your reply. Yes, the gilding has dulled. Will try your remedy. Thanks again.

Does anyone know of a firm that will undertake the gilding of pre-gilded items ? I have a 1902 infantry officers helmet in good condition, but the spike its cross and chinstrap could do with re-gilding.

Thank you, Peter. I will look on the site you have proposed and let you know how I get on. Regards, John.

I have recently purchased a British Guards Bearskin and it smells heavily of tobacco. I have wiped it with a damp cloth and a lot of brown colour has come off. The depth of the brown colour makes me think that it may have been in the possession of a heavy smoker. A friend laughingly said, shampoo it. Can I? Any advice would be greatfully received.

The old rank of Sgt Major General was shortened to Major General and as a Lieutenant was senior to a Sgt major the lower rank stayed as it was in seniority. The change came about sometime around the English Civil War and, as Mervyn pointed out earlier, although the insignia changed America obviously kept the rank name. John

Thank you for the replies, guys. When I got the SA badges group I was told that they were police and I took it as told. Now I know. Mervyn, bit confused by your answer, your last para says, " Not to be confused with the Transvaal Town Police" but the badge is TTP?

j Thought I would share just the small amount of South African Police memorabilia I have in my collection. Not sure what the Transvaal helmet plate is made of. The badge has a light golden sheen to it. I thought it might be brass but it is too light so I think it must be an alloy of some type. As can be seen, the detail has remained beautifully intact.

Thank you, Bernhard. I haven't researched the Regt, but now I know. Regards John

The surround to the medal shows,' 1813 + 2. HANNOV. INFTR.REGMT. 77 + 1913. Underneath the monument is shown '26.MARZ' http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2014/post-13150-0-73115000-1414327472.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2014/post-13150-0-96332500-1414327532.jpg

Never mind I will post it on the correct forum anyway

I have just realised that there is a separate section for this type of item but I am not sure whether I can transfer it. If I can, help would be appreciated.

I presume you are aware that it is a junior officer of the Royal Army Dental Corps i.e. rank below Major. As it is a cap of a corps that is not one of the more flamboyant arms, no disrespect meant, I do not think that it is worth more than £25 -£30. However, placed on ebay who knows.

I have a similar sword. The markings on the copper band are slightly different, it has the same triangle made up of circles but different Japanese characters before it. I often wonder whether these may have been the NCO's name. Unfortunately I can't get the detail with my camera.

Posted this medal for interest as it is not a general army issue one. The surround, around the monument (in case it does not come out on the photo) shows ' 1813 + 2. HANNOV. INFTR.REGMT. No 77 + 1913' at the bottom '26.MARZ'

I served in Germany at the end of the 60's in the State of Lower Saxony, from where the jackets come from, and this was the uniform they wore.

The badge is of the type issued from 1909, with a trefoil on which the officers divisional number is shown (the Division in this case could be Snow Hill) prior to this the helmet had an oval disc on which only the number was shown. Hope this assists. John

Once again, thank you. Regards John

Than you for your prompt reply. I had thought it may have been army but I am pleased that I asked the question on the right forum. Have you any idea of the age? John

I realise that this is a Belgian Kepi from the era of the late King Baudouin, but what service? A hand written label shows, ''Gendarm (alter art) adjutant''. I think the words in brackets mean 'old style'. The only kepis I can find for the Gendarmes show the cockade in the national colours, a red band around the centre and a silver band configuration around the kepi below that.