Spasm

My Uncle Alf certainly learned a lesson at Dunkirk. This was the Uncle who used to tell me, as a child, that his dented lighter had saved his life.....with all my other Uncles, including my Dad confirming that it was true......of course it wasn't. Just Cockneys pulling their kid's legs. Some years later, however, I found that he was indeed at Dunkirk fighting and wounded as part of the rearguard. Spending some time recuperating at home he received a letter from the War Department. It was a bill for 6 pounds and 6 shillings for his rifle that he had left behind in France. Good grief..... Another great blog post Brian, please keep them coming, all are a joy.

Yep, a Lebel grease tin. Grease one side and boot polish the other I think. Was also used to hold matches and the like when empty. Given to me by a good guy who gets me relics on his regular visits to Flanders. It'll be given back to him, now it's painted, at the next militaria show I see him. Only right as he's a jolly good chap.

I try to keep them unobstrusive so as to not deter from the object I've painted. Larger would be easier and seeing as you've only just noticed it on yours then larger they will be. Thanks Tony.

Same as that Jock, I would doubt anything that isn't just plain grey. There wasn't that much chicken wire or camouflage paint around in those days. I would put money on nearly every fancy helmet being a hobby craft one. Hardly ever did a Troopie slop paint around on his helmet and gear, it was already miles too heavy in it's original state. I've even seen textured and camouflage painted gas mask tins for sale, good grief, and at a very heavy price too. I don't doubt that some of it is the real McCoy but would I pay those sort of prices, not a hope. Stick with the skips and the known copies, it all looks pretty good in the war room/shed/cupboard/shelf/drawer/shoe box. And just how many people have actually wanted to have a look at your stuff and known anything about any of it?

Another abused Quist M40 brought back to life. I had another bread bag strap hanging around so did it as a Lufty to match. Notice the brighter shade to the helmet and decal under the strap.

You remember that trunk full of SS Officer's rings that have never been found, or that Werewolf unit who hid a trunk full of gold, or those looted pieces of Polish relics, or bits of the Amber room from St Petersburg............or yes, maybe a Luger.

Cedar trunks in the attic that should never be opened.........blimey, I wonder what they could be hiding?

An original Quist M40 brought back to life. Had holes drilled for an applied badge and a 'orrible grey and red enamel paint job. Lots of elbow grease but worth it I think with the 1940 dated bread bag strap.

I would say the Inspector's mark.

Just got back from the National Commemorative Event to mark the Centenary of the Battle of the Somme. Held at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme. A very moving return to the battlefield in a spirit of reconciliation and respect. Their sacrifice and suffering will never be forgotten. - words from Prince Charles.

Thanks Peter and yes, just about 3 weeks, the real work starts now.... Rogi, no idea where they are going but if you fancy one you can have one for the price of a new Aston Martin. A choice of three - go for the green one (you'll need an engine though but they do deliver) http://www.mod-sales.com/direct/vehicle/,95,/77744/Sea_King.htm

Thanks Rogi, I hope it reminds him of his work with the Junglies (as the Sea Kings been retired too now) for a while to come.

Another leaving do da for a Retiree from 848 Squadron Commando Helicopter Force over the weekend. An ex Para Major was heard to say that he may give up drink the next morning. A Sea King heli tail rotor tip painted for him to keep forever. I can imagine him in years to come with his packet of Werther's Originals and Grandchild on his knee who asks what this is replies "Well, there I was surrounded...."

Thanks Frank

100 years ago Leading Stoker J.G. Langford served aboard HMS Superb during WW1 Here's his awards along with my painting of the 18,600 ton Bellerophon Class Dreadnought HMS Superb during the Battle of Jutland. http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/remembrance/ww1-centenary/jutland-100/?gclid=Cj0KEQjwhN-6BRCJsePgxru9iIwBEiQAI8rq82naHczlxOAFfa2SjzZb7QLePd2WcV0g5SNaMv8L9QMaAtmY8P8HAQ

What's the use? I had this self same discussion with the Admin Staff only the other weekend. As you are probably aware, or not, I've started to attend a few militaria shows to try to sell some of my artwork on relics, bits and bobs and paintings. I've been really pleased with the comments and discussions from both interested members of the public and also stallholders at the shows. One thing has struck me though, I put a fair bit of research into each item that I paint - making sure the correct helmet/item reflects the artwork upon it and that each badge, design etc painted relates, in some way, to the rest of the item. I try to ensure that each piece has it's own little bit of history with a story behind it. But that has never been the subject of the discussions when an item is selected off of the table by someone. It is probably due to it being artwork, one either likes something or does not, as simple as that. However, I asked the Admin Staff why should I bother doing all the research and additional artwork on something when no one really seems interested in the details. "Ah," she says "but would you be as happy with it if you hadn't put in that extra effort?" Quite right - that's the use.

Peter is quite right. This is a copy of the original postcard design by Bruce Bairnsfather (an Officer in the Royal Warwickshire Regt.). The publisher Bystander produced sets of postcards called "Fragments from France" that were Bairnsfather's illustrations of Old Bill's 'adventures' in the trenches - sometimes based on Bairnsfather's actual experiences. Each set contained 6 postcards, there were 9 sets in total. This one, called AD Nineteen Fifty was included in set 4. A pretty good copy but you can see some changes from the original. Just as a note - Gouache is a type of paint, similar to watercolour but very opaque (the colour you mix is the colour you get on the paper).

A presentation rotor blade to the CO of 9 Regiment Army Air Corps based at Dishforth as a commemoration of the Regiment's disbandment this year. The blade is from a Lynx helicopter that flew with the Squadrons within the Regiment. Best of luck to them all. An older mark of the Lynx helicopter tail rotor blade also dedicated to the Army Air Corps. The central design is based upon their Guidon complete with battle honours. Their historic regiment's badges are also included.

I'm pretty sure that both of these daggers are made from parts. The second one without scabbard definitely. Although I'm sure they are precious to you as belonging to your father, as collector's pieces they are erm, sorry...pretty bad. Most of these daggers were manufactured before the war when mass production was in it's infancy, daggers like these were expensive and made by hand. Each dagger was fitted together very carefully and individually, there were no gaps or errors, each handle was finished to perfection. An original untouched SA or SS dagger is really quite a beautiful thing to hold. The blade RZM markings were a sort of quality check on later manufactured daggers - probably being used from about 1934 onwards. The 807/36 marked blade is the SS contract number followed by the year of manufacture i.e. 1936 while the M7/36 marked blade is the manufacturer's code made by E&F Horster of Solingen. Have a look here on the description of SS daggers https://www.lakesidetrader.com/Education/Meine-Ehre-heisst-Treue/

Welcome to GMIC. Any chance you can take a few close up photos so the makers marks can be seen clearly. Ta.

Les, thanks for that. I did try acid (I think it was brick cleaner from a builder's merchants) a long time ago trying to get chrome off of bike bits and pieces without success. In fact, I was left with a bucket full of some pretty nasty gloop (caused some doubts on how to dispose of) and some badly pitted bike bits (I think the acid ate the steel quicker than it ate the chrome). I also tried the electro method with a battery charger on some other stuff (after being advised to go that way) - another failure and another large bucket of gloop and chrome still in place. I found the best method was to go talk to a chrome plating firm with the few bits and bobs I had left. I'm glad it works for you but I don't think I'll be getting many more chrome helmets and the bikes I have left will be stripped down and sold off as bits (no one seems to have any money for whole second hand chops and street fighters any more). As it was a helmet I went for the elbow grease method as it was free, I wouldn't cause an erm... episode with the Admin Staff over using anything in the least harmful (the instructions on the paint stripper was read to me more than once) and I could sort it there and then - well over a few hours. I would be interested in seeing your chrome removal process though as you never know what might come up in the future. Steve

Chris - a layer of black bitumen paint applied to stick to the chrome underneath. The black bitumen came right off with paint remover, thinners and acid burnt fingers and wrists. No matter if you wear gloves the fingers split whilst rubbing and splashes always get over the wrists. Takes a while to start burning until there's the jumping about stage ripping the gloves off and running hands under the tap. Then the chrome took mechanical sanding - a drill with attachments to get through the chrome to the nickel layer. Done carefully so as to not wear into the helmet metal itself. Sanded smooth by hand then primed and paint. Really nice helmet that still has the rolling mill stamp so well worth the effort to keep it alive. But a lot of work I must admit. The chroming was probably done in the 70s as it was done on nickel and pretty thick. As it's quite difficult to paint chrome someone had, some years later, applied the bitumen a sponge liner, some string for a chin strap and some hand drawn card SS runes on each side - probably to attend some fancy dress party. Remember these things were pretty cheap in the 70s. I will even admit to having an SS dagger that I found in a market for sale that I then welded to the sissy bar of my bike!!!!!!!!

Thanks for that Peter, Have had a quick look (seems like I've seen some of the pictures before) and will have another wander around and maybe give them a nudge

Thanks Gents. Lots of elbow grease in that one but, as you say, worth it to bring it back to life. Knock away Chris, looks like you have room now.

Struggling Peter, struggling. But we'll get there one day. Thank you and happy whatsits to you too.