Brian Wolfe

Hello Everyone,

A while ago I purchased this presentation memento of the Pakistan 45th Bn. Frontier Force Regiment also known as "The Piffers". In the early 1850s some Sikh regiments were designated the "Punjab Irregular Force" giving rise to the nickname "Piffer" which the regiment carries to the present day. The 45 FF was raised by Lt. Col. Muhammad Mohsin, 15 Feb. 1983 at Havelian. The Piffers are one of six infantry regiments in the modern Pakistan Army and the third oldest, after the Punjab and Baloch Regiments.

The presentation piece measures 75 mm, is hollow and made of two pieces of sheet metal held in place by a metal ring. The Frontier Force symbol is on both sides and above the symbol are the words, "Here I Am", in Urdu, (thanks to "Conservator" from SAGONGS for the translation). Below are the words SAF SHIKAN, which, according to the dealer I purchased this item from, reads "Rows Breaker". I'm unclear of what that actually refers to so if anyone can help with that I would appreciate your input.

Cheers

Brian

Here's a view of the bottom of the casing. As I mentioned it is dated 1939. When I do occasionally purchase a new addition to the ordnance section of my collection I like to have the shell casing dated and if it is a date of any significance all the better.

I hope you like my 2 pounder round.

Cheers

Brian

This is a view of the end of the round.

As may be seen there is a hole in the end. Would this have produced a tracer effect when fired? I've seen other 40mm rounds that were flat on the bottom and I've also seen films of the two pounder in action and the shot that was fired was a tracer round.

I would be interested in the membership's opinions.

Brian

Here's a view of the solid steel round.

Hello Everyone,

During another collectables hunting trip I found a couple of nice pieces of ordnance. The one I am posting today is the British 40 mm, or two pound anti-tank round. It was the ultimate in tank killing development in its day, which pretty well ended in 1939. The two pounder was developed in or around 1936 and stayed in service until 1942 when it was replaced by the six pounder. It was actually used through out the war but not as the principle anti-tank round. Armoured cars etc. were fitted with the two punders and stayed in service until the end of the war.

The casing of this particular round is marked 1939, which is an improtant date (in my opinion) as that was when the British were pushed back to Dunkirk and were for the most part evacuated back to England. Many two pounders fell into German hands and were used by them under the designation 4.0 cm Pak 192 (e) or 4.0 cm Pak 153 (b). The "e" and "b" referred to England or Belgium.

The round looks like it has a copper tip in the photo but it is solid steel, that's a lighting problem in my photograph.

I hope you like my latest addition to my collection.

Cheers

Brian

Many thanks, Mike and Bernhard,

You guys are the greatest!

Part of my family came to Canada from Prussia in the 1850's. My Great Grandfather forbid any family members to speak German because of the First World War. Probably due to fear of persecution, though I was told it was due to his patriotic feelings for Canada and the British Empire. Either way our family never spoke German from that time forward, our loss.

Thanks again.

Cheers to you both.

Brian

Here's the body of the letter.

I took a lot less time to have written the original than it's taken me to post it.

Thanks again for any help you can give me.

Cheers

Brian

This is the section with the address and postal mark with 10 Landw. Div. You can see the "60" written on the back. I have not tried to erase it but I am confident it is in pencil.

There is a second stamp the I can make out Brandonburg, the words Brief and II Battaillon. So would this mark the soldiers from the 60th Regiment, 2nd Battalion?

Here is the writing on the front of the photo. It is not very clear but that is what it looks like in real life, it's not the photograghic image that makes it "look" that way.

Here is a closer view of the soldiers.

Hello Everyone,

Here is a photo postcard of a group of German soldiers taken, I believe, in 1916. I liked the way they were sitting above what looks like a brick retaining wall and in front of another brick wall. There is a variety of foot wear and the NCO(?) in the middle looks to have been awarded the EK II. On the back of the post card is marked "60" in pencil, probably by a dealer. I looked at the shoulder straps with a 30X magnifier and "60" can be seen on two straps, sorry, I can't photograph that closely to be able to show this in the post.

I am hoping that someone can help with the translations on the front and back of the postcard. I haven't found any information on the 60th yet but then again I have only had the card for a few days.

Any assistance you can give me would be appreciated.

Cheers

Brian

Very impressive, Rob.

Cheers

Brian

Yes I agree - Army Service Corps. I have several similar photos in my collection.

Many thanks for that conformation.

This has been a puzzel in my wife's family for years, the GMIC memberdhip has been a great help with the family research.

Cheers

Brian

Hi.

This is 4 emission of this order. If you read this post with more attention you will find the describe of all types of this order....

Thanks, I missed that when I went through the post.

Cheers

Brian

Here's the reverse. I noticed others posted on the forum have attachment rivets on the reverse where this one has none. I would guess that mine was made in one piece rather than assembled, though the round portion looks it be affixed to the star. What are the opinions of the members?

Cheers

Brian

Hello Everyone,

Canada Day here and after a "hunting trip" to the antiques mall I brought home a second class Bulgarian Order of 9 September 1944 that I wanted to show. There is something about enamelled medals and orders that intrigues me.

Cheers

Brian

Hello Jens,

Many thanks for that wonderful information.

Cheers

Brian

Thanks fellows.

Looks like I have a few more to go. Oh well, it gives me lots to look forward to.

Thanks again.

Cheers

Brian

Hi Chris,

This is more than a collection it is a work of love.

This is what the hobby should be about.

You are an inspiration.

Thanks for sharing them.

Cheers

Brian

Here is the reverse. There are no munbers or other marking that I can find on the piece.

The order is quite thick and has a good deal of weight to it.

I hope it is an original.

Cheers

Brian

Hello Everyone,

After a day of hunting in the wilds of the local antiques malls I came home with several items one of which is this Romanian Order. Being an old plough-jokey I was drawn to it because of the tractor as much as anything though the blue enamel is quite a nice touch.

Could someone help me with the actual title of this order and the year which it might have been instituted and awarded. I would think that in this "mint" condition it is quite resent.

I have checked the forum and found these but I am a bit unclear as to the actual title. Is it an Order of Labour for Agriculture 2nd Class?

I'm not sure of the value of these but I paid $15.00 Canadian for it, not that what I paid has a bearing on whether I like it or not. I would, however, like to add the other classes if they are within my budget.

Thanks for your help.

Cheers

Brian

Another great group!

I had some Indian medals that just arrived today that I was going to post but I think I'll wait for another day (drooling on my keyboard at the moment).

What is there about India and Pakistan medals that is so alluring?

Thanks agian for posting these.

Cheers

Brian

Great group and what a great project for a court mount.

Thanks for showing them to us.

Cheers

Brian

Oh, to have the time and cash to go to the source (India) for those rare items. Perhaps Pakistan would not be the best place to hunt for medals at the moment, still the temptation would be there.

Great group, Ed.

Cheers

Brian

Great group and excellent research. I should post some of the groups in my collection. I'll add his missing vic to my search list and maybe one day it'll be in your hands.

Cheers

Chris

Yes, please do post your groups and thanks for watching for the missing Vic. I have been watching for the Victory Medal and Memorial Plaque for the past five years. Who knows, perhaps some day...

Cheers

Brian