Brian Wolfe

Here is the comparison between the two chains mentioned above.

The chain on your left is the older one with the soldered links and the one on the right is the later type with "open" links.

Brian

Hello everyone,

I've managed to obtain a period chain for my Staffordshire Police whistle and wanted to update my post of this item. The chain measures 38cm (15 3/4 inches) in length. It has been nickel plated and the links have been soldered closed. I understand that this is an older variety of chain as later one were not soldered closed, see second photo for comparison.

When possible I like to add such missing parts and this addition makes me quite happy.

Regards

Brian

Very nice set of binoculars. It would be easy to start a collection of optics as they are very interesting. Ok, not to everyone but interesting to those who matter.

Considering the history of the Polish Army in WWII I would think this is a very desirable (and scarce?) item.

I would think Greg's suggestion of $100.00 would be a fair price but that is not based on any great knowledge on my part of their real value.

Regards

Brian

Hi Mervyn, I am certain that this plate is an unenameld one. Staffordshire were the first I think to issue enamelled plates. The early ones were oval in shape and for Staffordshire county and enamelled, then they became Staffordshire and Stoke still oval anf finally Staffordshire police in1974 when they adopted the star shaped plate with the light green colour and currently the darker green colour. I used to help out at the now closed staffs police museum and they didn't have a plain star shaped plate on display. hope this answers your inquiry. Ian

Just because I'll post items from my collection at the drop of a hat here are two early helmet plates mentioned by Ian above.

Regards

Brian

Hi - Brian. The one thing I have learnt on this Forum is that anything and everything with a military background is collected. Some people collect medals - as you do - but as you have shown here, there is also great satisfaction in collecting and restoring less glamorous equipment.

So quickly do items become obsolete that if you showed a modern-day radio operator this set, he would be lost. Congratulations on taking the time and trouble to restore a great old item. (wish I came under that category...)

Thanks for your comments Mervyn.

The other radios in the collection are equally interesting and I will be posting them with descriptions later. I really get excited about these pieces of equipment. Without the Signals Corps the military would be blind. Information and communications is a very powerful tool whether in war, business or just in personal relationships.

There is a Universal Carrier (Bren Gun Carrier) being sold on eBay at the moment and I told Linda it would be a great place to display the WS19. She said I could purchase it only on the condition I could sleep in it. I'm not sure if she was kidding or not but I think I'd better pass on this purchase. Checkout eBay.ca number 300382265332, it's good for another 3 days. Also check out You Tube for a video of this machine in operation by the owner. The link is listed below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=CA&hl=en&v=QoiKoYaLpQo

Sorry I can't import this link, I tried but I seem to be as obsolete as the WS19 when it comes to computer magic.

Regards

Brian

Thanks Ian. I have my suspicions that these were what we used to call "lunch pail specials", meaning stolen from the stanping plant. I think this because the dealer has offered others in the same condition.

I just noticed the new banner on this secition of the forum. Very nice indeed.

Brian

Hi Ian,

I've added your information that this is NOT a 3rd pattern to my Photo Gallery thereby reflecting the correct information.

Once again, thanks so much for your research into this, I do like the information on my Gallery to be accurate.

Regards

Brian

Hello arb,

I do agree with your comments regarding the courtesy of an acknowledgement of the free information provided and the proper gratification for the efforts on the part of the members here at GMIC. Considering the time of year there may be several reasons for the lack of reply on the part of the original poster, who knows?

One of the features that makes this forum what it is today is the free exchange of information between members. I would urge you to continue helping others, ignoring any lack of response from the few. If we start to ration out our knowledge it will only diminish what the GMIC has achieved in the educational area.

Keep up the good work.

Regards

Brian

Thanks for posting these photos and the cap I found them most interesting.

So often we forget those who served in a support role and concentrate only on the pilots and crew.

Regards

Brian

Hi Brian, I am sure that this plate is one that was either never enamelled or one that it has come off. I have never seen a Staffs bobby wearing one. Happy new year Ian

Thanks Ian. I have my suspicions that these were what we used to call "lunch pail specials", meaning stolen from the stanping plant. I think this because the dealer has offered others in the same condition.

I just noticed the new banner on this secition of the forum. Very nice indeed.

Brian

Here is a photo of the three types in the small drawer I store them in. The one to the viewer's left is the first type and has a green emaleled centre. The second type (to the bottom right) has a darker enamel centre with the knot being a gold colour, the first pattern has a silver coloured knot. The third type, if I am correct in my assumption is at the top of the photo.

They all look to have been made with the same die stamps with the dimensions being the same and the differences being in the attachment devices and enamle work, or lack of enamel.

I also wonder if the top example could have been "liberated" from the factory before the enamel process was undertaken.

Your thoughts on this are, as always, welcome.

Regards

Brian

Hello Everyone,

I was surprised when I saw this Staffordshire Police helmet plate for sale as it was not listed in my reference material at all. My reference is far from complete and not up todate so I guess I should expect to see "new" items coming along from time to time. This would be the third type with the Queen Elizabeth II crown. I am guessing this is the current issue as the earlier types both had enamel work around the Staffs knot (see second photo for comparison). The lack of enamel would make this a less expensive alternative which also makes me think it is a later type. If any of the members can shed light on this it would be greatly appreciated.

The measuremants are 9.2cm wide and 11.7cm tall which is the same size as the two earlier types. The plate is held in place by three sets of prongs, one of which can be seen in the photo at the 8:00 o'clock position.

Regards

Brian

Nice display, very impressive. In Centurions the selector boxes to the left of the WS 19 (as you look at it) had a position for ITT (Infantry-Tank Telephone). This was a handset attached to the back of the tank in an armoured steel box that had a flap on the bottom. You dropped the flap pulled on the handset which was attached to a retractable cord-reel and after pressing the buzzer could communicate with the crew if they were closed down. We also used it for forward observation. The tank would be completely hidden behind a hill , in a gully, wadi, whatever and a member of the crew, usually the driver would run the handset out to a position where he could spot targets. The targets would be soft-skinned vehicles, buildings etc, that you would engage with HE. The observer would call the shots and then make any necessary corrections. Those on the receiveing end would have no clue where they were coming from.

Thanks Dave. Mine has no ITT position but I've seen the handset on the Centurion at an Armoured Vehicle display a couple of years ago. Also thanks for the additional information, it's this sort of participation that makes the GMIC a great forum to belong to.

Regards

Brian

This is my communication collection.

The unit under the WS19 and to the viewer's left is a Fullerphone (also written as "Fuller Phone"). This is a field phone and was developed during WWI. I will not get into the history of these units in this post but will open another separate post later to discuss them in detail (Zzzzzz). The Fullerphone could be part of the field telephone system along with the WS19.

To the viewer's right is the Field Telephone "L" which could also be connected to the WS19. These were used during WWII and later, possibly into the Korean War ear, but don't quote me on that. If any of the members have this information please add it to this post.

On the bottom left is a Forward Observation Telephone as would be used in the anti aircraft batteries along the English coast. I don't have a photo of one in use but I've seen them in photos and on documentries. The microphone is chest mounted, a hands-free device (so much for hands-free communications being something modern). I cannot see whay this unit could not tie into the WS19 as well but I'm not sure it would have been.

To the bottom right is a Canadian Signals Corps stachel with the third head set/microphone for the WS19, the other two being plugged into the radio on the top of the display.

There is a shallow drawer in this display unit which will be used for manuals and various odds and ends relating to the Signas Corps as they come my way.

I hope you like my small communications collection.

Regards

Brian.

I have completed my WS19 MKII with the exception of the grill work that protects the front of the radio and the canvas cover. Those I will continue to search for. The display shows the WS19 MkII as it would be set up and ready for service. The unit on the top (middle) of the radio is the remote control unit that turns the WS19 from just a wireless comunications divice into a base for a field phone network. The calls come and go through wires but the signal to HQ etc. remains wireless.

It has taken me two years to get to this point and I am very happy to finally have it mounted for display. It will probably take an equal amount of time to find the grill. Actually there are two grills one for each component of the main radio.

In the second photo is my communications collection, most of which would form the network of field telephones which would tie into the WS19 MkII.

There is just something about these less than glamourous collection of valves (tubes) and wires that attracts me. I'd love to fire her up but I fear that is exactly what I would accomplish....a fire!

Thanks to all who have added to my knowledge of the Wireless Set No. 19 Mark II and to those who have tolerated this two year long post.

Regards

Brian

Like Dan I can't resist a case when I find one for a medal. It took me well over a year to find the correct cases for my Special Constabulary Long Service Good Conduct Medal type collection but it was well worth the effort.

That is a very nice cased group Iver. Thanks for sharing it on this New Years Eve.

Happy New Year!

Regards

Brian

Great link, thanks for sharing it with us.

I keep telling my wife that some day I want a tank sitting in the side yard before I die.

She keeps telling me that if I do it WILL be the last thing I collect before I die.

Regards

Brian

Thanks for the additional information Jean-Paul.

It is an interesting area of study and to be able to restore this radio to operational condition would be great.

Regards

Brian

I've just started on the finished display for the WS19 MKII and here is the aerial guard painted and mounted on the display. The radio is in place but is still to be hooked up and I just added a remote unit which allows the WS19 MKII to be used as a telephone exchange connected to the main base, or HQ, by wireless. I've also added a field telephone type L and a Fuller (field) Phone to the collection which I hope will both be connected to the WS19 MKII in the finshed display.

Anyway, here is the next step in this project.

Regards

Brian

Hello Everyone,

There have been some questions posed before regarding the prefix on the regimental numbers on South African medals of WWII but I would like to go over this again since we have a good number of members from that country.

In my collection I have the following prefixes which are listed below with what I believe they are indicating. I would appreciate any comments as to whether I am correct or not. I will be posting this area of my collection at a later date.

N = Native. The madal I have is named to a fellow I believe to be a member of the Zulu Nation.

C = Cape Corps. This indicates a person of "mixed" colour or would it perhaps also be to non-blacks such as Indians?

F = Female.

W = Women's Auxiliary Army Service. The "F" and "W" prefix identifications were provided by the sellers of these medals.

No prefix = Indicates a white person.

I hope that I have not strayed outside the bounds of political correctness in any of the abouve terminology.

Your help is, as always, greatly appreciated.

Regards

Brian

Outstanding item Mervyn.

I never thougt of these as providing any protection from a sword cut but it makes sence.

Where except here at GMIC can we see such a variety of treasures?

Thanks for taking the time to share this find with us.

Regards

Brian

Hi Rusfront,

I've never seen the WWI era pole tops before, they must be quite scrace. I say "scarce" not because I've never seen one as I am no expert but I would think there would be less of them than the TR items.

Thanks for posting them and I hope other members who might have these tucked away in their collecion rooms will add to this interesting post.

Regards

Brian

Hi Russ,

Nice group of spears, the fishing spears, as identified by Mervyn, would fit well with your main collecting theme. My fising gear is only as old as me...oh wait...that could make them antiques!

Thanks for taking the time to post the spears and your fine collection of fishing gear as well.

Regards

Brian

That's interesting about Afganistan, I've never heard that.

As a side note however,I do remember reading that at one time the Guards were required to grow walrus moustaches and because some were too young to grow a proper moustache they glued hose hair under the nose. If this is true I would guess this was only when on specal guard duty at the palace. I don't know if this is true but that's what I have read. As to your question I can't help there, so I've probably only managed to get the post off topic, sorry.

Regards

Brian

While I don't collect the medals of Japan these two could make me change my mind.

A couple of very nice items thanks for sharing them with us.

Regards

Brian

Not off topic at all. Thanks for adding this very interesting post.

Regards

Brian