Trooper_D

Thanks for the fascinating insight and for the additional example, ispn - this approach to reusing an old blade is completely new to me.

My please, Marwan. Welcome to GMIC by the way

Marwan Its the badge (or a version of it) of the South Wales Borderers, the 24th Regiment of Foot. Apparently they were in Aden from 1927-29. See this article on Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Wales_Borderers

Thanks for posting images of this interesting sword, ispn. I note that the first quarter of the blade is a repair, meaning that the European blade comprises the last three quarters. In other words, the major part of the blade is not secured to the hilt by a tang. That being the case, I would think that this blade would not be robust enough to use in battle. Do you think that this sword was solely intended for ceremonial purposes?

Thank you, Ian and Markgraf, for these further interesting observations.

If Wikipedia is to be believed, we can date this photo to no later than 1900, the date the Max Balde studio closed, http://www.salzburg.com/wiki/index.php/Max_Balde

What an interesting thread this promises to be. I had never thought of reproductions as being collectible, before. I now realise this was a considerable blind spot, on my behalf. Please keep them coming T.S.

I agree with IrishGunner. Compare your photo with the coatee in the centre of the back row of the photo below. My notes, which must have been taken from the auction site from which I downloaded the image, say, Edit: If you are interested, I now discover that the group was sold as lot 44 for £2,070 in Spink's Sale 1264 on 30 November 2000. The details can be found on Christie's website. I have just done a Google image search on the photo I uploaded and discover that it has already appeared in a GMIC thread! This may be one of the other discussions about diplomatic dress that IrishGunner mentioned, http://gmic.co.uk/topic/33016-victorian-diplomatic-uniform-id/ As IG also said, there is at least one other, which I contributed to and which might be worth your while searching for.

Don't forget, Alex, that yellow shows up as black in photos of this period (this has often caught me out). That being the case, it might account for a yellow and black ribbon looking like a solid colour.

A great resource! Thanks.

Thanks for posting these medals, Janice, and for the associated stories of your grandparents. It's nice to see that the medals are still in the family - even if the packaging didn't survive the journey!

Thank you for a most informative post, Tomas. Heinrich Michetschläger's book looks to be a 'must have'! I also cannot find a link on the website you pointed us to. I wonder if they deleted the download because of copyright issues?

In response to a private message, I am posting a larger resolution of the portrait which features at the start of this post.

Thank you for your thoughts, Tomas, particularly, This makes complete sense to me. For my further education, are your comments based on the statutes for the Iron Crown? Do you know if those statues are available on-line?

Thank you for your response, Andreas. I now discover that UK practice agrees with you, in at least one instance. If I may quote from A Manual for the Wearing of Orders, Decorations and Medals (London: Spink, 2005), p. 39,

I hadn't spotted the laurel leaves, Chuck. On that basis, I follow your line of argument but am surprised that he would wear two classes of the same order, even with this distinction. As you say, we need an expert opinion. I have posted a short message in the Austro-Hungarian Empire forum (link below), with a link to this thread. Link to 'Two Iron Crowns on one medal bar' thread

In a thread on the Orders, Decorations and Medals of The Imperial German States forum (post #4 of the link below), we are discussing a medal bar which contains two Iron Crowns, one of which has laurel leaves. My question is, why would the awardee include both, rather than simply including the higher class? As one has laurel leaves, would it be considered an award distinct from the peace time version? I would welcome comments, please. Original thread

I wonder why he included the KuK Iron Crown twice?

Nice photo, Odulf, but I was surprised to see three guys in pickelhaubes at this late date. Any thoughts as to why?

A highly admirable enterprise - I look forward to reading more, as and when.

I hadn't realised that there is as much scope for shaping a slouch hat as there is a beret, George Very ally, as they say in the British Army: http://www.arrse.co.uk/wiki/Allyness. Please keep us posted on your plans for Beer Sheva 2017 - sounds like an exciting project.

I am having a bit of difficulty visualising this, AussieSoldier. Do you have a photo of this style (with face pixellated, of course) you could show us, please?

Women and shoes - yes, I know all about that Our collecting is entirely different, of course

And I think I have problems, trying to smuggle books in to the house! (My wife insists on 'one in - one out'. How unfair is that?) Best of luck, Stuka.

With your help, I can now see that. Thanks.