coldstream

Jock Not my field of expertise either however the Tank Corps badge seems a particularly good Unit to find a cap to (or am I just being cynical) and I have to say I find that genuine items on ebay do attract the bids, seems a low price for an item like this with only three days to go. Before I offend anyone I know bargains can still be had on EBAY and that not everyone is an expert but good things attract bids in my experiance. Imagine if this was a 'Hogspear' item I doubt if it would still be around the £30 mark. My twopenneth for what its worth! Best Simon

You are right, my humble apologies. Simon

Sorry Ladies and Gentlemen, the title should obviously read proof to 20.000 volts!!!! :cheers:

The compound handle, you can just make out the 20.000 volts.

A close up of the axe head.

Thought I would show a fairly common item of British homefront equipment which still turns up regularly at fairs and boot sales. The Arpax consisits of a steel hand axe with insulated hard compound handle. This version was manufactured by the company 'Chillington' and has the handle detail stating that it can withstand 20.000 volts. I wonder how many user's trusted the 20,000 volts claim! Not as popular amongst collectors as the RAF escape axe's but nice items none the less. Simon

Gun list Just found this on the net and it appears that for a price any gun sold by the Army and Navy stores can be traced. Not cheap at £23 but it would answer all your questions. Best regards Simon

The stamp 'Army and Navy cls' refers to the famous outfitters which supplied uniform, equipment and in this case firearms based in London. Bearing in mind it's calibre I would imagine that it is a private purchase firearm accquired for recreational use, ie target shooting, vermin shooting. At a push I suppose it could be for personal protection but it seems at best a cumbersome handgun for that purpose. Bes regards Simon

Mike Another superb item from your collection especially with the contents. One of these tins was sold on ebay UK last year although I can't find it now. That too was empty but sold for around the £100 mark if I remember correctly. Very rare indeed but I think these items capture the patriotic side of the Empire public's view of the armed forces very well and from what you have shown are very well designed and made. Please keep the items coming! Best regards Simon

Hello Rod Welcome to the forum and thanks for showing us your excellent collection. Previously in another post we have discussed the reasons different UK Police forces adopted the ball, spike or comb for the helmet. In your post 25 the Queensland Mounted Police helmet has a ball top, have you been able to uncover any regulations in relation to Australian Police forces regarding this.? Best regards Simon

The criteria for a VC award would surely be the army the recipient was enlisted in, Johnson Beharry was a serving member of the British Army although of Carribean descent and therefore eligible for the awards of Great Britian. South African forces when part of the Commonwealth would have been eligible and did recieve the ultimate award. If my memory serves me right wasn't the last VC recipient New Zealand SAS or similar? Best regards Simon :cheers:

Mike Lovely item indeed, never ever seen one of these before, was this solely a Devon Regiment issue. Have you seen any other Regiments? Simon

Finally found a reference to this uniform item on www.royalsussex.org.uk which states that this item was introduced in conjunction with the 303 Lee-Metford rifle in 1888. Because of this rifles bolt action it had to be carried flat on the shoulder and so the shoulder protector was introduced to protect the tunic from oil or damage. Best regards Simon

Will Indeed an excellent addition to your collection. I was wondering when we can expect the next update to your Sudan collection thread in the Collectors showcase? Best regards Simon

After an internet search I have discovered that the Morris tube Gallery referred to in post 6 was indeed an indoor range where a sub calibre device was fitted to the standard rifle to allow marksmanship training to take place away from the normal 1000 yards range. Obviously the forerunner of our modern sub calibre rifle training. Clever people these Victorians! :cheers:

Came across the photograph of a Royal Marine dated 1897 which shows him wearing a similar attachment to the left shoulder of his tunic but with his straps and equipment worn underneath. Althought not exactly the same pattern as the one shown above it obviously serves the same purpose and I therefore wonder if it is designed to protect the leather equipment when the rifle is carried on the shoulder and not infact the tunic material?

The last photograph refers to a new section within the unit and states 'The cyclist section, only recently formed, is shown in force in this illustration. Major Lloyd, of the Grenadier Guards, who assisted in its formation, appears on the right. The section, which is commanded by Sergeant Hole, is exceptionally smart and well mounted' Best regards Simon

The second photograph is captioned 'Group of all ranks, Inns of Court.'

Ladies and Gentlemen Having recently purchased a number of copies of 'The Navy and Army illustrated' magazines from the Victorian era I came across the following information and photographs of this unit. Dated 16th July 1897 the magazine states 'The Battalion as st present constituted, was raised in 1859-60 and until two years ago was intially recruited from members of the Inns of Court. Now, however the rule has been relaxed amd members of Universities or Public Schools have become eligible for enrolment if approved by the Commitee of selection. The Headquarters are in Lincoln's Inn where there are, a drill hall, a mess, an armoury, a Morris tube gallery and a school of musketry and gymnasium.' I'm assuming that a Morris tube gallery is some form of pipe range for zeroing weapons? Any thoughts anyone? The uniform is described as grey with scarlet facings. The first photo is captioned 'Officers, Inns of Court' and displays a fine array of uniform and headress detail.

Mervyn As far as I remember the SS Canberra was used as a troop ship during the Falklands conflict. The SS Uganda definately was used as a hospital ship during the Falklands and was the ship we sailed down on just after the war. Her callsign was 'Mother hen' and she was painted white with 8 large red crosses on her. She also had a helicopter landing pad stuck on her and I distinctly remember that it was too small for a chinook. The Pilot would hover with his back wheels on the pad and the front ones in the air while everything was offloaded. Fine in calm conditions and a bit of fun when it was rough. A wikipedia search reveals that her compliment of medical personnel during the Falklands was 135 staff including 12 Doctors and 40 members of Queen Alexandra's Royal Navy Nursing Service. Perhaps the badges you illustrate belong to this unit? Best regards Simon

Hlynur The one you show for sale is imho highly priced although looks in excellent order.. Blunderbuss antiques in London used to have piles of cutlasses hanging around but I haven't visited for some time now so don't know what the situation is. Locally to me sword prices seem to be falling, particularly in local auctions. I wonder if Ebay uk's no weapons policy has stopped the dealers from buying them at auction for profit. Best regards Simon

Oh to be in a position to chose between the two!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Trust we'll get to see any new additions please Stuart Best Simon

Stuart Many thanks for that. I think the 'British Made' on the rear of the card made me assume it was taken in the UK, I suppose it may have just been printed here for distribution back in South Africa and so shorts would have been the norm. By the way did you get the Herts Yeomanry helmet? Best regards Simon

Mervyn Thanks for your comments, the image hasn't scanned too well and under a glass the collars do look similar, so possibly SSB. Hadn't even thought about the shorts in an obvious autumn or winter shot! Strange. Best regards Simon

A closer view of the helmets and badges.