Hugh

Thanks for that. H

"Baroness Lia van Heemstra" Is this the same family as the actress Audrey Hepburn?

Perhaps I'm missing something, but I don't see Kaffrarian Rifles listed under this bar in either the 4th or 6th edition of British Battles and Medals. Aside from British units, I see 1st NSW Mounted Rifles, Imperial Bushmen, 1st, 2nd, 4th and 6th W. Australian Mounted Infantry, 3rd Tasmanian Contingent and 1st New Zealand Contingent. There's an interesting article on the unit at: https://www.angloboerwar.com/unit-information/south-african-units/348-kaffrarian-rifles H

Is it possible that the absence of orders on the bar is because the individual was awarded a higher level neck order or even Grand Cross, hence it doesn't appear on the bar? H

Wow! That's an impressive call from a very fuzzy photo. H

Some one more knowledgeable may be able to tell something from the sporrans and hose tops. There were some differences among regiments. H

Sorry, can't see any pictures. H

Of course we know of the Hong Kong and Messina plague medals. Seems like a reasonable idea for those who serve in the front lines. Certainly more deserved than some of the medals I got for breathing in the right part of the world. H

I have a couple of books which would provide better detail, but unfortunately they are AWOL. However, from memory: A career Navy enlisted, probably a relatively senior petty officer. Entered service before Pearl Harbor (7 Dec. 1941) At least 16 years, probably 24 years of good conduct. If the latter, he would probably have rated wearing gold rank insignia and service stripes based on his good conduct. (Can't remember how many years for eligibility) No evidence of service in World War I or Korea, nor in the several Caribbean campaigns between the wars. During WW II, served in home waters and in the European theaters. (Europe, Mid East, Africa) No evidence of participation in amphibious landings. No individual decorations Now I need to find those damn books and fill in the missing parts! Hugh

May be a heliograph, a signalling device using reflected sunlight to signal using Morse code. Hugh

I'm certainly no expert, but it looks incomplete to me. You'd think there would be some sort of insignia in the center. Could be a manufacturer's discard or work in progress.

Here's a wild guess, completely unsubstantiated by knowledge or facts: Instead of Military Police (which from your MilPol name I'm guessing your would recognize), perhaps it is Military Post. After all, the horn is a widely recognized symbol for mail/postal entities. Can't wait to hear the replies. H

4. TDV - Italian rank of "Tenente di vasello" = Captain. Indicating Italian naming? Not an expert on Italian ranks, but based on French/Spanish equivalents, I would read this as Navy Lieutenant, equivalent to Army Captain. Is this consistent with Guggenberger's rank at the time of award?

That's quite an eclectic collection. I'd suggest that you start by sorting ribbons into groups to represent one service and a period of time. For example, World War 2, Naval aviator. That could include your Silver Star, Air Medal, Purple Heart, Asia Pacific campaign medal, Korean Defense Service Medal. You might add the Atlantic campaign medal and the UN Korean medal to this group. A Distinguished Flying Cross wouldn't be out of place. If your hypothetical recipient continued to serve for a full career, he might have picked up a Legion of Merit toward the end of his career. There are many foreign awards which would logically fit into these racks: French Croix de Guerre, etc. Since you have already decided on racks of 9, you could fill up empty spaces with these foreigners appropriate to the time and campaign.

I'm a Navy veteran of Viet Nam, but have never seen this one. I question whether it is US Government issue. We've never (?) done anniversary medals, and the box lining doesn't look like Government issue. It's also a bit nicer than our typical campaign medals. Maybe a nice "buy your own" souvenir. H

Can't speak to prescribed length, but my full size medals average about 3", and miniatures are just under 2-1/4" I've worn them for years and no one has complained yet. Hugh

I agree with Mike. Badges like this are typically suspended from the pockets of undress uniforms in the French Army. Suggest you re-post in the French section to see who bites. Hugh

Royal Victorian Order, GCVO (Honorary), serial 861 with sash badge, sash and star, in case of issue (Collingwood, Ltd), superb condition along with award letter from Sir Edward Ford, KCVO, CB dated 19 July, 1966 and form requesting biographic data from the recipient to be returned to the Registrar of the Royal Victorian Order. Following research notes thanks to James Hoard: H.H. Prince Hussein bin Nasser Bey, GCVO (19.7.1966).b. at Taif, Arabia, 30th November 1902 (sixth son of H.H. Prince Nasser bin Ali Pasha, by his second wife, PerendisKhanum), educ. Istanbul Law Coll. Entered Iraq govt service, Private Sec to King Faisal I 1929-1935, attaché Iraqi legation at Ankara 1935-1938, Assist Chief of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 1938-1942, Assist Chief of the Royal Household 1944-1946, Consul-Gen. at Jerusalem and chargé d’Affaires at Amman 1946-1948, transf to Jordanian Foreign Service 1948, Envoy Ext & Minister Plenipotentiary to Turkey 1949-1950, Minister Paris 1950-1951, Jordanian Ambassador to Spain 1953-1961, Lord Chamberlain 1961-1963, 1964-1967, and 1967-1974, Minister of the Royal Court 1963-1964, Prime Minister 1963-1964 and 1967, Senator of the Kingdom of Jordan 1963-1964, 1969-1974. Granted the personal title of Prince (Amir) with the style of His Highness by King Abdullah I of Jordan. Rcvd: GC of the Orders of the Renaissance (special class), Independence, and Star of Jordan, Isabel the Catholic (12.12.1961) and Civil Merit (3.6.1955) of Spain, Christ of Portugal, Merit of the Republic of Italy (31.8.1963), George I of Greece, Defender of the Realm of Malaysia (SMN) (24.4.1965), Star of China, and the Cedars of Lebanon, the Orders of the Two Rivers 1st class of Iraq, Humayun 1st class of Iran, etc. m. at Amman, 1943, H.R.H. Princess Maqbula (b. at Mecca, 6th February 1921; d. at Amman, 1stJanuary 2001), third daughter of H.M. Abdullah I, King of Jordan, GCMG, GBE, by his second wife, H.H. Princess Suzdil. He d. at Amman, Jordan, 1st May 1982. Some pictures: UK 00 - GCVO Documents.pdf

I've also posted this on the OMSA forum, but this seems to be more active. I have three Purple Hearts and would like help identifying the recipients: 1. Purple Heart, slot brooch, numbered left side – 161632 2. Purple Heart, slot brooch numbered right side – 594631 Purple Heart, wrap brooch numbered right side 460733 I also have other Purple Hearts, unnumbered, but assume they can not be identified. I’ll be grateful for any help. Hugh Tulloch

So by inference, sounds like a medal for Korean volunteers into the Japanese army during the colonial period? Or maybe an award for Chinese volunteers during the Korean war? I think maybe I'd roll the dice and bet on the latter. The piece looks more Chinese than Japanese to me. Comments? H

Border Security Police?

My nephew was in a similar position. We contacted the relative, and he offered to sell them for a fair replacement price. She declined and that was the end of it, but I know that both my nephew and I never felt right about it. We tried to recontact her to return them at no cost, but couldn't reach her. I also was contacted by another relative (different soldier) and sold the medal at a fair replacement price. I showed him a couple of comparable medals on offer and he chose one to send me. I think we were both quite satisfied with the trade. It would be generous to return them at no cost, but remember, the veteran or next of kin may have sold these medals into the market in the first place. A little hard to know what's fair. H

Bit of a puzzler. The fuzziness of the image doesn't help. The most likely would seem to be the Flotten-Kriegsabzeichen (High Seas Fleet insignia), but it lacks the eagle/swastika on top, so that's out. Through a process of elimination, the only thing left is the Bandenkampfabzeichen (Partisan insignia), which seems extremely unlikely for a naval officer of this seniority. I'm looking forward to input from one of our experts to set me straight. H

To state the obvious (to British collectors) - the crown appears to be from Victoria's reign, and the three feathers belong to the Prince of Wales. Couldn't connect the scroll with II to any regiment with Prince of Wales. So much from the dilettante. Now let's hear from the experts.

Here's an advanced peek at my forthcoming birthday / Christmas present - an officer's dirk from the Seaforth (78th Highlanders - Ross-shire Buffs) - c. 1881 - 1914. I'm looking for some advice on how / whether to get rid of the rust on the blade (pictures to follow). I'm delighted to get this piece, since the 78th were my family's regiment before they got on the SS California for Boston in the early 1880's. It was outrageously expensive, but worth it to me. A note of caution: Apparently some shippers are having trouble importing edged weapons into the US these days. There was a bit of fumbling back and forth getting it over here from the UK and US Customs took a nick in spite of the declaration as an antique. Selfish bastards. Best, Hugh Now, what do I do about this rust? I've tried baking soda, vinegar and lemon juice (separately). It would take the rest of my admittedly short life expectancy to get it cleaned off with any of those. H