Warpath

The pair

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacques_Louis_Randon

While not military issue I thought the connection between the Cavalry School and The Minister of War should be sufficient to share here...I will post photos of the pistols later if anyone would like to see them closer...Both have repairs to the ebony grips, but the pistols remain in fine condition overall.

BAILLOT et HEBERARD Presentation Duelling Pistols from Minister of War and Marshal of France Randon

Interesting fine quality pair of pistols with a plaque engraved: "ECOLE IMPERIALE de CAVALERIE Donne Par Mr Le Mal Randon MINISTRE de la GUERRE"

If I have this translated correctly it appears to have been a presentation from Mr. Randon to the Cavalry School...I hope a French speaking member will correct me if I am wrong.

Nemo Me Impune Lacessit Scottish Silver Badge...This is a large 2 3/4 inch wide screw on hollow badge and is either a cap badge or for attachment to an order sash perhaps...Judging the quality and construction my opinion it is at least Napoleonic era...Not my area of collecting and it was from a collection of major European Orders and Decorations without any known history.

Any help to identify it would be appreciated.

Thanks, Ed

http://s149.photobuc...Scottish Badge/ LINK TO IMAGES

Benito Mussolini's personal membership ID book in the Italian war veterans

ANMIG - Associazione Nazionale fra Mutilati ed Invalidi di Guerra

This is part of a group of Mussolini's personal items removed from his desk in his office at Lake Garda as souvenirs by a 10th Mountain NCO in 1945...Other objects include a presentation bronze eagle, letters from his files and more...I would consider this book to be significant historically. Ed

Benito Mussolini's personal membership ID book in the Italian war veterans

ANMIG - Associazione Nazionale fra Mutilati ed Invalidi di Guerra

This is part of a group of Mussolini's personal items removed from his desk in his office at Lake Garda as souvenirs by a 10th Mountain NCO in 1945...Other objects include a presentation bronze eagle, letters from his files and more...I would consider this book to be significant historically. Ed

Williams' grave stone is engraved with the British Distinguished Flying Cross which is incorrect.

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:y1VBGT79eJUJ:www.doolittleraider.com/raiders/williamsAR.htm+A.+R.+Williams+doolittle+raider&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

WWII Distinguished Flying Medal to American T/SGT A. R. WILLIAMS information needed...I believe he is listed in one of the roster books, but I have found nothing to indicate when/where he received it or why...He was a Doolittle Raider.

Thanks, Ed

Bill, I would think the crown over eagles would suggest something a bit higher than a drum major, but it's certainly possible...I met a man who had served in the English court recently as a chamberlain and his comment was that this may be related to that office in Prussia, Germany or some other state. Ed

it certainly is an object of beauty!

any clues towards the jeweler via hallmarks, or are only generic silver content stamps present?

It has an original loop for a chain, a large one for certain...It may have had the pin added for securing it...Much too large and heavy for anything like a sweetheart piece...Among the thoughts on this: court chamberlain, field marshal (according to Thomas at Hermann Historica that is a possibility due to the batons), court official.

An imposing silver gilt and enamel badge with the Imperial German crest on a shield with crossed batons on the sides...After extensive research I have come up with several estimates of what this badge could be, but I have no definitive answers...Any help with this would be appreciated...In hand it is a stunning piece of high quality and obviously made for someone of note (for scale last image shows it above a business card). Ed

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