Mike McLellan

Amazing page out of history, and amazing award to highlight the story. Thanks for educating us. Mike

Holy cow! That is a beautiful hat. Really, really cool. Mike

Wow! What a chest full of heavy metal. Your colleague friend is a national treasure and we are all in his debt. (sorry to change the subject, but seriously, Wow!). Mike

I suppose death shouldn’t be a laughing matter, but still... The incongruities of war.

Beautiful pot. Is it in your collection? I had assumed, perhaps incorrectly, that the tobacco jar was in Wasp’s collection. Retirement gifts might be an unusual focus for collecting, but they’re part of the history, and quite beautiful in their own way.

As a neutral disinterested third party, I’d like to see the medal and tobacco jar in the same display case. 😇

A bit blurry, but the winged knife looks like the insignia of the Special Air Services of the British Army. But, you already knew that.

What? Me? Incorrect?? Well, that’s the first time that’s ever happened. How humiliating. I’ll try to do better. Mike.

I’m sure you’ve already considered this, but the Efficiency Medal was for non-commissioned officers. That might narrow the field just a bit. I’m still hung up on that number. It certainly identifies some person, group, or thing. Mike.

Very nice display. The ribbons look new. Super. Mike.

Wow, Cazack. That’s a pretty impressive collection. I don’t know if I believe your claim that it only took a “couple of months” to accumulate that many terrific badges. It would take me longer than that just to neatly print the descriptions on your mounting boards. Very cool, indeed. Mike.

The label looks much older than the tunic, as though it was salvaged from an earlier jacket. I’ll reserve judgement on the other “red flags” that you mentioned, although the eagle looks suspicious. I hope a more knowledgeable set of eyes will say I’m wrong. Mike.

It’s much too tempting to assume that RBR stands for Royal Something Regiment. After we eliminate the obvious Berkshire, Borders, Bermuda, etc , there are very few to zero in upon, even among the amalgamated regiments. I would almost wager that it was not a Royal regiment, but rather a privately sponsored entity with or without official endorsement. I think that it’s also safe to say that it is now defunct but still within the grasp of a zealous historian. Good luck! Mike.

The inclusion of the order of Medjidieh makes this one beautiful trifecta of the Crimean War. The box, regardless of outward appearance, is icing on the cake. Stunning. I’d love to hear more about Capt. Stuart. Mike

Haven’t a clue, but very, very nice. Mike.