paul w

Hi Guys,can I have some opinions on this Rifle Brigade Busby on ebay please.It looks like an ORs cap rather then an officers but is it pre WW1?Cheers for your help, Paul

Hi Michel,from the front it looks like a Klein and Quenzer but the hardware,well that looks like the sort of set up Maybauer put on their WW1 u boat badges.Is it a tombac badge?Cheers, Paul

Gents,sorry I havent replied earlier but I've been on my hols.Thank you very much for all the contributions to this thread,its been very informative and will help me personally in my search for an ORs HSH.I've decided against this particular helmet as it appears that while the helmet and fittings are original,they're not necessarily to each other.The interior of the helmet is also quite damaged and while it would probably clean up quite well I think I'll wait for one in better condition.Out of interest the seller told me that the helmet was bought with a tunic from the Suffolk Regt. and that the original owner had purchased the helmet and replaced the helmet plate centre with that of the Suffolk Regt in order to complete the group.Thanks once again for your help, Paul

Guys,thanks very much for the opinions.Mervyn,you're not the first person to wonder about the police helmet angle.Out of interest,were the interiors of home service helmets and police issue helmets the same and does anyone have any pics to compare?Thanks again, Paul

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Guys,I'm in the process of purchasing this 1878 pattern cloth Home Service Helmet.As you can see the inside of the helmet has seen better days but I believe the outside will clean up nicely.Can I have some opinions please on the originality of this piece as I am very much a beginner when it comes to these items,thanks for any help you can give, Paul

I tried getting that book on Amazon Leigh but there were none available so I'll keep an eye out,cheers, Paul

Thanks Martin and Norm,Petz and Lorentz was the maker as I now recall.I've seen one other u boat badge with the same hardware setup a few years ago but I guess they're pretty rare.Cheers, Paul

Thanks very much for the reply Graham,I'll take a look on Amazon for 'The thin red line',sounds like it could be what I'm looking for,cheers, Paul

Guys,I'm looking for information regarding the Full dress and walking out uniforms of British line regiments (other ranks) during the period 1895-1914.This would include tunics,helmets,types of belt and buckles,bayonets and bayonet frogs.Any information,images and reference books you can suggest would be appreciated,cheers, Paul

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Cheers for clarifying that Gordon.While we're on the subject,theres a u boat badge in tombac with the 'shield'shaped chest,looks very much like the zinc L/56 but the hardware on the back consists of a flat protruding hinge and catch with a flat pointed pin that kind of hooks over the hinge block .Thomas Huss has one on his site at the moment.I'm sure this type of badge has been discussed before and a possible maker suggested but I cant find the thread and cant remember the name of the maker,any ideas,thanks, Paul

Thanks for the comments on this badge guys.You've also answered a question I had in mind regarding this maker,that is,how come the maker marked zinc L//18s were so different to the tombac design particularly as there are zinc badges around with the same design, so Zimmermann or Schickle maybe?I have to disagree with Martin on the eagle,I think its quite a nice design,I like the 'grim'look to it.Another noteworthy feature is the weight,its a very light badge and you can actually feel the difference in hand when comparing it to another maker such as Souval or Karnath,cheers, Paul

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Hi Guys,I have a B H Meyer u boat badge in tombac and always regarded that as the example of that maker in my collection but when I saw this little beaut I couldnt resist,cheers, Paul

Well you learn something new every day,I've never seen a badge quite like this with the amount of pitting and all but I stand corrected,good find,cheers, Paul

Thanks guys,it should be with me very soon,cheers, Paul

Now I'm no expert but this badge looks like its been cast to me,there are holes all over the place,regards, Paul