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Ayedeeyew: Thank you so much for this! I believe this will allow me to attach the duty band correctly. I hope someone may also answer the helmet plate question I have today begun in this forum. Thanks much.

What color were the helmet plates of the City of London police circa 1900? I have seen examples that look painted black and some silver and some brass/gilt. Which was it?

Dave: That's got it, then. Thank you!

Nick: Thank you so much. I will be watching.

Dave: Thank you. Are these wide cloth loops in the cloth of the coat or thread loops in the band color? Are the loops placed at the opposite front and back of the sleeve? Is there a picture of these? Sorry for all the bother but I'm setting up a display and need to know what to sew on. Thanks!

How do these attach to the sleeve to keep from sliding off?

I am seeking a City of London uniform duty armband. Where would I find such for sale?

Danke!

...with helmet..

Yes those heavy cavalry boots from that time were very tall. The shafts varied from fairly snug to pretty roomy, from the photos. ( see, e.g. the Verlag books on the Franco Prussian War uniforms). I don't have those and really don't dress up as these characters. I usually display them 'table top', laid flat. I just happened to have the mustache when this rig arrived. (As an old retired person, I change my appearance constantly during the year, growing/shaving hair on my head and face. It's a very affordable hobby and amuses my grandchildren. My wife, less amused.)

OK, here's my re-creation of his uberrock with epaulettes as Major general (from 1866):

Nice clear photos of the cyphers for both Edward and George. I'd suggest George's dual cyphers reflect being an adjutant to both predecessor sovereigns. Anyone confirm this?

Would the cyphers be at the shoulder end or between the wreathed batons and the crown? I have seen other field marshals with both arrangements.....

Thank you, from the responses here, it seems to be true, that although there are examples of exceptions, the general rule was that Officers did not often choose to have their decorations mounted on the early trapezoidal-style bars so that the gongs were detachable and the bar could be worn as a ribbon bar. Even though there are some fine examples above in this thread, the majority of officers seem to have had their medals permanently mounted on the bars, even trapezoidal-style bars. IF they were detachable, the bars sans medals, were not often worn by officers as ribbon bars with the appropriate order of uniform.

Oh come on, somebody at least guess!

Daniel: Thanks for that! That's an outstanding example of what I was looking for!

Let's simplify: What's the shiny thing (photo above) on his shoulder cords nearest the camera? Also: See this portrait: Lots of stuff on his shoulder cords but it's a retouched photo, so who knows?

Anyone?

It was common for British monarchs to wear the cypher of their predecessor on their shoulder boards and epaulettes, I assume because they were honorary adjutants to them. The photo above is very detailed but I cannot make out what's on his shoulder cords. Should be an embroidered field marshal insignia, crossed batons with a surmounting crown but who knows? There is some kind of metal device that looks like a silver crown at the shoulder end. Anyone know?

Yes. I bought the one I have many years ago when they were cheaper. Maybe someday someone will make a decent copy. It's on Tsar Nicholas II's bar as well, so may be worth the effort for a good repro.

Does anyone have a clear photo or know if Edward VII wore his mother's monogram cypher "VR" on his Field Marshal and Admiral of the Fleet uniform shoulder boards/epaulettes? I can't find a clear photo to tell.

...and I make judgements about when it's reasonable to invest in a real medal if a copy is not available. For example, the last two medals on the Edward bar or several of the early medals on my Kaiser Wilhelm I bar.

Can someone find a good copy? I have my only original on my Nicholas II bar.

Andreas: Perfect. As usual. Thank you, my friend!