coldstream

If you could supply full names and rough dates of service then we should be able to establish some details of where your relations served and hopefully make a link with the badge shown. Simon.

Hello and welcome to the Forum. Only my opinion and many others will have a different one but I would leave it as it is, part of the history of the medal for me. If I may enquire what was your 2nd Great Uncle's Unit, any idea of the whereabouts of his other medals. Regards Simon. Cancel my request, I have just read your other post and discovered the Unit in question, thanks. Simon.

Christopher, Take a look at this website, all fake or reproduction depending on your viewpoint. http://www.sofmilitary.co.uk/shop-re-enactment-german-ww2-category,781 Go to page five of the weapons section and you'll see a very similar dagger to yours. Regards Simon.

Christopher, I am by no means an expert regarding 3rd Reich daggers however the real examples that I have examined are of a much higher quality than the one shown in both quality of materials used and definition and construction. The hangers (straps) are not a of any pattern I have ever seen and again the quality is just not there. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news and again it is only my opinion, as before if you post the images in the relevant German section of the Forum you will get a much more detailed answer, I'm sure. Regards Simon.

Pretty sure your Luftwaffe dagger is a poor fake, post the images in the German section and one of the Experts there will confirm it for you. Simon.

You see old Cabinet cards from many Units with these being worn, you would need to check clothing regulations for exact details. From what can be seen in the images the buckle looks to be real to me although they are not uncommon. Regards Simon.

Victorian general service belt and buckle although the belt is missing two sliders which would push up against the buckle to keep it in place. Simon.

Deleted as not contributing to the subject apparently.

Deleted as not adding anything to the subject apparently.

Christopher, You have a modern Helmet for probably a Drummer or Musician serving with the Princess of Wale's Royal Regiment. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princess_of_Wales's_Royal_Regiment From the images the top cruciform device and spike do not appear to be very well secured to the helmet and without looking at it I could not say if it was a genuine example or made up from parts. Simon Apologies Peter, obviously posted replies at the same time. Simon.

Duncan, Afraid I can't help regarding the VX prefix however for South African research try rhino.research@icon.co.za or dewald@nelantiques.co.za. Regards Simon.

Asil Sorry for the late reply, there is an online list somewhere which I can't find at the moment, When I get time I'll try to find it and post a link here for you. Simon. Didn't take me long in the end, here is the link http://armyservicenumbers.blogspot.com/2010/01/army-number-prefixes.html Regards Simon.

A very nice find indeed and it would be nice to be able to link the two Recipients as family Members. The 1911 Census is available online and it may be worth your while trying to find George Joseph Smith there and hopefully tracing a link between the two. Thanks for showing but be careful, you may get bitten by the British Medal collecting bug! Regards Simon.

I am no expert on this subject but if this was an issued prismatic compass I would expect to see the Broad Arrow War Office mark on it somewhere, (normally on the base). The issued examples I have seen do not have the green NESW letters on them either, however this, could of course, be a privately purchased item. Best regards Simon.

Could well be the action mentioned on this site near the bottom of the page. https://nzhistory.govt.nz/war/south-african-boer-war/guerrilla-war-1901-1902 Simon. And here is a site with a good explanation of the Blockhouses. https://bwm.org.au/blockhouses.php

Can't tell from the images but is the painting signed by an Artist anywhere, may be possible to identify the title of the work in question from that. Regards Simon.

Alan, Welcome to the Forum, I would agree with Tony and if they were mine I would leave them as they are, including any old or damaged ribbons, to my mind this adds to the history of the Medals and Man or Woman behind them. The only consideration to bear in mind would be severe corrosion to silver medals in which case I would then probably try to get it cleaned of. However, this is only my view and many collectors do like to clean them. Again as Tony said they're yours now so up to you. Enjoy the Forum and best regards Simon.

Alan, A very historical Police Medal, thanks for posting, look forward to seeing more of your collection. Best regards Simon.

Thanks Chris, attractive items, are they an expensive item to collect? Simon.

Chris, Looks to be a very nice example, not being my field of collecting at all, what was the purpose of these? Have seen them in the past at Fairs and always walked past. Regards Simon.

Brigade, Welcome aboard, have never bought replica Orders or Medals myself but a quick internet search reveals quite a few Companies out there, this one for instance seems to have a fairly large range available. http://dorchesters.com/index.php?route=common/home Good luck with your collecting, Simon.

Chris, My pleasure, not sure if you have access to Ancestry but the 8th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders War Diary is available covering the period from 1917 -1919. This gives a detailed day to day account of the 8th Battalions progress through the War and your Man may even be mentioned if you are lucky. If you do not have access, keep an eye out for the occasional free Weekend access they provide and you will be able to view it. Regards Simon.

Chris, Private S-26871 William McKillop Seaforth Highlanders Medal Entitlement for World War One is shown as the British War and Victory Medal only and is shown on the Rolls as serving with the 8th Battalion of the Regiment. Once again I am afraid to say that there is no trace of his Service Record on Ancestry Uk and he is no trace on the Silver War Badge Roll. Long Long Trail link here once again regarding the Seaforth Highlanders. http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/the-british-infantry-regiments-of-1914-1918/seaforth-highlanders-ross-shire-buffs-the-duke-of-albanys/ Regards Simon.

Brian, An interesting article, many thanks, I still see a lot of this type of sword around. I believe that the Russians had a very similar sword, some with sawback blades for Pioneer use. Would make a relatively cheap and interesting collection assembling examples of this type to the various Countries in question. Simon.

Horsa, Another very nice image, many thanks for posting, I am looking forward to seeing the rest of the contents of your cabinet! Regards Simon.