Brian Wolfe

Hello Mervyn,

Perhaps the French like the symmetry of having the cigarette in the middle of the face, they're an artistic lot (no offence meant). As to the attitude of the fellow in the photo I think I would be sweating profusely. Smoking kills but then the company you keep can shorten your life somewhat as well.

Hello Tomas,

Thanks for adding the photo, I've never seen the way the larger bombs were loaded into planes of the First World War. I wonder how accurate they were, though I am guessing that they were dropped at a relitively low altitude as compaired with the bombers of the Second World War.

My late father was a member of Bomber Command (W.A.G.) and took dozens and dozens of photos of the interiors of the Wellington, Halifax and Lancaster Bombers in which he flew. He was not a "camera nut" after the war but during it he was a fanatic. There were photos of the loading of the bombs as well as bombs mounted in the planes. These photos showed all aspects of the interior and exterior of the planes and he told me that the airmen were not really supposed to do this but being young and bold he took the photos anyway. In his later years an unscrupulous so-called antiques dealer bought almost everything he had at an extremely low price. My father suffered from alzheimer's near the end and this was why he sold many of his items. I did hunt the fellow down but could not retrieve the photos or other items, though I offered to purchase them, as they were heading to an undisclosed collector. I will confess that I held no remorse for the dealer when he died suddenly shortly after our encounter, one less snake in the world suits me just fine.

Regards

Brian

Hello Simon,

I would like to add my appreciation for such a good post.

Many of us will never have the opportunity to vist many of these great musuems and view their displays and a pictoral tour is the closest we'll come. Like Bernhard many of first encountered the history of the Zulu Wars through movies such as "Zulu" and "Zulu Dawn". Another good documentry is on DVD titled "Zulu Wars" and is a three part series(one one DVD) put out by "Good Times DVD". I don't mean to suggest that the Zulu conflict was the only significant contribution to the Empire of the S.W.B. as they have a long and proud history.

Thanks again for posting these images.

You've made my Saturday morning.

Regards

Brian

This is a set of binoculars that was manufactured in France around 1908 and were possibly used during WWI. The person I purchased them from did not offer any information as to their use until after I had made the purchase so I have no reason to disbelieve him as it was not a sales pitch.

Regardless of the validity of the story the style is of the type used during the War though it would have been a private purchase. The leather on the tubes is missing but I liked the way they have an even colouration as many with the leather missing are not very nice to look at with bits of the glue remaining here and there.

Regards

Brian

Here's a close view of the acceptance mark.

Hi Mervyn,

I've always liked optical devices and if I were starting to collect all over again I'd probably...oh, what the heck, I'd be collecting EVERYTHING! Still these items are of great interest and well worth adding to any collection.

I've included the only two in my collection.

Up first is British WWII and has the Government mark.

Regards

Brian

Hi Mervyn,

A very nice example, thanks for posting it.

Hmm...one of those would make a great birthday gift...gotta go now...must "play up" to my wife.

Regards

Brian

Problem solved.

Will post results later.

Brian

Hello Everyone,

I had a question regarding this photo which has just been solved so I'm deleting the text.

I'll post the results later.

Thanks

Brian

Thanks for your comments demir and Tony.

Yes Terry these are very addictive, I'm beginning to think they are the crack cocaine of medal collecting.

That's one of the pit falls of the GMIC, you look at other collections, read the material and the next thing you are collecting them. Oh, but what a lovely addiction it is.

Thanks agian of all of your opinions and coments.

Regards

Brian

it's an authentic piece; my opinion is that it was improperly cleaned at some point (probably a very long time ago), and as a result the thin finish was removed. i have a very similar example in which the plating is 80% gone...but i think the plating on mine just wore off or faded out over time

Many thanks Eric.

As you may have guessed I have been holding my breath on this one since it arrived earlier today.

Thanks again.

Brian

This is the damage to the enamel at the tip of the star's point. It is very small and not all that noticable.

You are probably saying to yourself, "If he read all of the material on the forum then why the heck wouldn't he have purchased a text-book example?"

That's me, I like specimens that are out of the ordinary and I can add the text-book-type specimen later.

I just hope this time it is not out of the realm of the authentic.

Thanks again for your comments.

Regards (with fingers crossed)

Brian

Here is the view of the back. The pin has broken off but the manufacturer's mark is clear. Even the break looks to be an old one. The white bits on the lower left quadrant are a couple of small white threats that I didn't notice at the time I took the photo.

Hello Everyone,

I've wanted to add a Turkish War Star to my collection for a long time and I've read all of the material on the forum. I found it very interesting and soon gained the confidence to make my first purchase. The star I purchased was made by BB&Co but there is no sign of it ever having been nickel plated. Nothing, not even in the smallest crevasse either on the front or on the back. The seller assures me that it is original and it has the look of antiquity but the absence of the plating has me wondering why. At first I thought it was due to wear and polishing over the years but now I have it in hand I can see no signs of the nickeling having ever been there. I'm not dissatisfied in the least as I really like the look of the dark red enamelling with the deep patina of the bronze. I can always add a plated example at a later date.

There is little damage to the enamel and what there is exists at the very tip of one of the star's tips.

I would like your opinions on this star. If it turns out to be a fake I believe the seller will refund my money. This is where you usually read that if an item is a fake it dosen't matter as it didn't cost much anyway. Well... I can't say that, as I paid at least market price, but don't let that stop you from stating your opinions.

I have another one on the way but of Turkish manufacture, I'll post it when it arrives.

Thanks for your comments, as always they are appreciated.

Regards

Brian

Great photo and a super addition to your collection.

Thanks for posting it.

Regards

Brian

Hi Chris,

These are some nice specimens, thanks for posting them.

I too have always loved the Pickelhaube but I will probably have to be content to only have one on my wish-list.

Just too pricey for my budget.

Regards

Brian

Hello

Better try and be a ethnic weapons expert for a while,,,or so I pretend to be.

This is a Turkish Kilij (from Turkish kılıç, literally "a sword")

Similar to a shashir in many ways but mainly idnetifiable by this form of pistol grip, with bulbous pommel, Blade lengths vary a lot, usually curved, though I did own one, which was almost straight.

Welcome to the Forum Andy.

Thanks for add to the information on Mervyn's sword.

If you have edged weapons in your collection I hope you will post them.

Regards

Brian

It is sad how quickly our history is forgotten. Your Specials section filled a void and was much needed - to my mind that is because people who become Specials have an interest in the subject and follow the history. Regulars seem to often have narrower interests - my posts on subjects such as these incredibly rare engravings will probably be lucky to have 40 people look at them.

That's probably true but 40 of the best of the best members. Ha ha

Oh yes...lets not forget "best" and the most humble.

I suspose there is room to argue, but it is my opinion (and remember how humble I think I am), that the period from which these engravings come has so much history to offer the historian and collector/researcher. The formation of the first police force, the British Empire in general and great literature like Dickens' works as just a few examples. That era even produced the most recognizable serial killer, Jack the Ripper. I wouldn't call that a high point but it is a world renown case. That was in H Division if I recall and please correct me if I am wrong.

Regards

Brian

I agree that it will probably continue to be awarded to others as time passes. The wording "In The Service Of Humanity" would suggest that it is not specific to the act of saving Jews during the Second World War. Given the age of these first recipients it was probably good that they were the first to receive it.

Regards

Brian

Merv, I'm confused as to the Canadians "cutting" corners. Sterling silver, as you say, is 92.5% silver(.925) and 7.5% another metal, usually copper. This is to strengthen the material as 99.9% Fine Silver would be too soft to be practical, it would wear down in no time. The medal couldn't be worn in a row as the overlap would destroy it. Before the 1880s, I think it was, Sterling was defined as .980 or so, if you have any silver medals before that date take care of them.

Hi Dave,

Speaking about silver content...

My father was a coin collector and some of the medallions in his collection were actually .999 silver, very soft and he treated them "with kidd gloves" so-to-speak. I couldn't imagine trying to keep overlapped medals with an extremely high silver content in good condition, especially if they were worn very often. It's a conserver's night mare!

Regards

Brian

This is a very entertaining and informative post Mervyn.

I'm not sure if the other members have such items in their collections or not but given the age of the material these must be quite rare.

We tend to forget the beginnings of the modern police force.

The other day I had occasion to utter the expression, "Bob's your uncle" and then, of course I had to explain the meaning and origins of the expression.

I could not resist explaining the origins of "Bobby" and "Peeler", though the person I was talking with was too young and uninformed to have known or even heard of a Peeler. Here's the kicker, she asked my if I knew what a Beetle was, this she knew!

Ok, she read it in a Dickens novel.

Regards

Brian

Your collection blows me away SCollector!

Please keep them coming.

Regards

Brian

Here's a cigarette card that arrived today that might be of some interest. The write up on the back of the card in the photo was a scan made by my less than adequate scanner. I hope it shows up well enough.

Regards

Brian

Brian

No dig intended - I just didn't want Para38 not to post because English is tough for him. As you say, the translator programmes are 'awkward' at best and my French is more a source of embarassment, not pride, in this bilingual country.

BTW, I drove past, but not into, Woolsey Barracks a week ago. It is the site of the RCRs' museum and maybe the 1st Hussars as well and still has quite a collection of the big green trucks outside - so still a Reserve Force facility.

Peter

That's good to know, the next time I am on vacation and in London I'll stop by. It's only about an hour's drive from here, 1/2 hour if my wife drives!

Regards

Brian

Hello Dieter3,

Finaly someone who understands the importance of NOT touching artifacts with their bare hands!

So many collectors want people to think they are conservers with their own private museums while they continue to treat documents like they were yesterday's flyers found on the door step and their medals like they were pocket change.

Bless you my good man bless you.

Cheers

Brian

I've been following your post since it started in Dec.'09 and I must say that your collection is most impressive.

Thanks for sharing it with us, very enjoyable.

Regards

Brian