Tony

What a novel use for a steel helmet. Tony

Yep, I have one too, black sheath as Paul and Brian say. If I can find it I'll post a pic. Tony

Jock, I like the things you find, it reminds me of the old days when good stuff could be found at boot sales and junk shops. There's one thing I don't understand and have heard it twice in a week or so, it's the blood group on a tag, was it normal to have the blood group stamped? I only have one WWII ID tag which was given to me by the soldier who wore, it shows no blood group either. Tony

I agree with Chris however, does the average engraver today have the skill to engrave by hand, with the same care a 1930s engraver did? It's probably all automated today and most engravers hopefully lack the necessary freehand skill. Being very wary of the unusual is always good. Tony

I like that too. Is the picture of men at the Somme, before the attack?

But Chris, I have his iron cross and a COA to go with it. You can't say no after seeing the attached.

The name Henry Robinson is a bit too common to find anything on the English side. After checking the Brighton connection I found two men with that name from the Brighton area, one was born in 1861, the other in 1870. I couldn't find any Henry Robinson living in Brighton in 1891 so, assuming that's where Alexander's father grew up, he had already left for Germany by 1891. When can I have it then Chris?

Now that is really interesting, I've seen so many Great War Commonwealth medals impressed with German names. I have a couple as well as a photo of a CSM whose parents were from Magdeburg and then there was Pte. Willie Schmidt in the TV series Anzacs but your certificate is the first evidence I've seen of an Anglo name fighting for the Kaiser. I like that lots and it'd fit so nicely into my collection. In fact I like it more now than I did a few seconds ago. If you ever want rid of it give me a shout.

I wouldn't be able to spot a bad fake unless the paper label looked too freshly printed.

You'll need someone to check the records in Pretoria and as Ryan says, if his name isn't too common there should be a chance of finding him. Knowing his pre-enlistment address will help if several men have the same name. I've used Audrey Portman at rhino.research@icon.co.za in the past. Good luck. Tony

Thanks for the tip, I shall give it a go and will post the result if it works out.

Yes that's a possibility I suppose. Great set you have there and all the better for knowing who the recipient was. If anyone has an idea of how to photograph faded writing to help identify the name please let me know.

Yes indeed it is, the recipient's name is penciled at the top of the paper label but is too faded to read. It was one of the first pieces of German militaria I ever bought. With the amount of outer boxes I've seen for sale online I wouldn't want to to be buying one at the moment, but perhaps I'm just over cautious.

I've seen quite a few outer cardboard boxes for sale over the last few months and always find it a little suspect when something, which up until recently wasn't too easy to find in the condition they all appear to be in at the moment, comes on to the market. Or has someone just found a stash of boxes? Below is an example of a good one, I hope. Tony

A very nice Christmas pressie even if from yourself. A lot of paperwork from the surviving records I've seen (which isn't a great deal) mentioned some kind of punishment from RoP through to FP 1, if the crime itself was mentioned then more often than not it had something to do with alcohol, insubordination, AWOL or bad language. Here are some punishments http://www.1914-1918.net/crime.htmFP 1 and 2 are down the bottom. Tony

That's interesting, I've never actually seen this type in the flesh and was told they're modern. Being plated isn't the sort of thing a faker would do to keep costs down so I'll have to keep my eyes open in future instead of just dismissing them. Tony

Jerry, I've been on the look out for type 1 VM for a while, one day I'll get lucky although I wonder if any slipped through my hands before ever realising they existed. Tony

I might give adding pictures a go one day but I don't think there's much chance of turning out anything near to what you can do, it must take a lot of practice. Besides, you've got all the relic helmets Tony

I have an edition (21st edition) from 1941, no dust cover, it's grey with red or black writing for the title. Let me know if it's of interest and I'll scan it. Tony

Great cards Erik, unfortunately I don't have any to add but let's hope others do. Tony

Is it a sewing kit or ID tag pouch? Nice find whatever the pouch is.

Those tins are great Mike. I had a 1900 tin in my hand once, it contained some chocolate and newish looking straw. The little old lady in the shop wanted far more than it was worth and wouldn't haggle, so I left empty handed. I sometimes wish I had bought it even though it would have been daylight robbery. Tony

25p or 5 shillings? Wish I knew about them when they were that cheap. I can’t find a photo but tins with 1914 in place of Princess Mary in the middle of the lid are, as far as I know, from India. These have been around a while, are nothing like the originals and probably not made to deceive. Ha, found one on ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RARE-1914-SOILED-BRASS-CHRISTMAS-BOX-NOT-THE-QUEEN-MARY-ONE-/221646920382?pt=UK_Collectables_Militaria_LE&hash=item339b2f9abe Then there’s the Daily Mail tin, I’ve only seen pictures online and on the surface they look pretty good however, a good clear photo will dispel any hopes of it being original and when opened it becomes obvious they haven’t made to deceive. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-DAILY-MAIL-PRINCESS-MARY-CHRISTMAS-BOX-REPLICA-TIN-WW1-WORLD-WAR-ONE-/301449995705?pt=UK_Collectables_Militaria_LE&hash=item462fd1e5b9 There are probably others but the above are the ones I know of. I didn’t know originals were available on amazon http://www.amazon.co.uk/Princess-Marys-Christmas-Gift-Decorative/dp/B00OLSVPWY

Ah so you're the one buying them all up.

I find Kiwi's know their stuff, my old boss, who plays every weekend did explain it me but ......... Not so sure if girlie Kiwi's know their stuff though.