Farkas

Can’t argue with you there Pete… —-/://—- DPK, I don’t know your reason for a possible Liverpool connection so it may be coincidence but in it’s earliest days there was a strong Liverpool connection with the QNI. tony 🍻

Exactly 🍻

I haven’t a clue what they’re worth yet but I’m going to try and find some similar ones, hopefully, to get an idea. He’s a retired MOD blacksmith and for years he picked them up whenever he saw one. He just enjoyed cleaning them up, there’s no work required on them… if I’m ever getting one now’s the time! I’ve got first dibs but I suspect they are going to be worth a few quid. Any thoughts about them Steve? PS… I like the third one from the left, the one below the one with the ring…

Steve, thanks for taking the time to impart some knowledge… I now know the expression ‘going off half cocked’ was around long before I would have guessed. & you got me googling Arquebus which was a first for me 😊 there is quite a history of evolution which isn’t surprising I know but not something I have considered before. Between yours and these pictures my friend sent me of his flintlocks… he’s selling up and I was already tempted but now I really want one Something fresh & interesting that I now want & need to buy a book about 👍 cheers tony 🍻

How did ya know that Pete? 👏 😁

What an awesome looking thing Steve, well done mate. Nearly 5 foot, I bet that feels heavier than 7.5lbs after pointing it for a while. I know nothing about such things but someone I know just sent me a lovely picture of his flintlock collection he’s parting with so I’m curious… if it’s a musket not a flint lock, doglock or matchlock (2 I’ve not heard of 😊) do they all have different firing mechanisms? Is it all about evolution/different eras or just cost as you mentioned? I just thought muskets were long guns and flint locks were the small versions but that both worked the same. Now I see on yours and recall (from films) there is a smouldering string to ignite the powder and then there was flint on a flintlock but what about the other two you mention? I guess match is a clue but can you teach me the differences 👍 cheers tony

Nice one Pete, thanks. Then traditionally it should have a whistle attached I think… though clearly not as useful as this alternative, 🍻🍻

Thanks Tracy, I was lucky but there was a bit of good karma involved too… I spotted a button listed in n EBay as ‘unknown’ and managed to work out what it was, I messaged the seller and told him what it was. It turned out the seller was a lovely fella called Bob, in his seventies, he told me he was selling off his 50 year collection to fund another hobby and apart from a few he would be listing the military ones in joblots shortly. I kid you not, I scrambled to get funds ready… and bought every one! That was 6 x joblots of 68!! i pissed a few people off apparently but I wasn’t sharing unless I had too! Apart from knowing they were going to be listed, another advantage I had was, it is usual with large joblots, if someone only wants/needs a few items in it, it is unlikely they’ll spend as much as someone who wants many or all of them.., my advantage was I wanted at least 50 or even 60 out of each lot of 68. I’ve got a lot of buttons but I don’t spend much on specific ones unless I want them for a uniform that is missing them. I also love a bargain. However mine are 99% post ww1. Because the best are Victorian, there are so many that are scarce it was a non starter 🤷‍♂️ or so I thought 😊 They truly are 👍👍 I wasn’t intending to but I can’t resist showing you them all 😊 These were the first then these then the artillery lot then these 👇 these got a lot of interest. Next up these 👇 and lastly these 👇 Even better in the flesh and I’ve not even opened them all up yet. Truly an honour to pick up Bobs collection. Also a pleasure to tell him they’re staying together with me not being broken up and sold. Lastly, over the time I chatted with Bob he mentioned his Father was Royal Navy in both wars but sadly he and his family knew nothing of his service… not even one ship he served on. So the cherry on the bun was that I was able to find a load of records for him including these 👇 So all because I messaged him about his unknown button, a series of events unfolded that brought some joy to all involved… That’s good karma in action. cheers tony 🍻

Thanks Tracy 🍻 —-/::/::; Below are the examples of other Artillery units… These 2 are my favourite👇 I believe these MVA (not 100% sure) are Middlesex Volunteer Artillery Then we have… Royal Marine Artillery. New Zealand Forces Artillery. Some later with a Kings crown. N.Z. & Canada South Africa. and last but not least… a little Kent Artillery Volunteers. Hope you like ‘em cheers 🍻 tony

Cloud puncher! I like it! A new one to me… 😊 On a Bofors? Showing your age 😁 ///-:///:::// Last thought on the forum… it’s lost traffic compared to before, as someone said to me, we’re not getting any younger and sadly we lost a few friends/members during covid. I can only report though, that every time I log on, I have plenty to keep me interested, I have friends I talk to. The optional patronage was only introduced recently to keep the site advert free and to keep it operating, it is free unless you choose otherwise at some point. Don’t let the time wasters put you off 👍. cheers tony 🍻

Hello Gents, first I must give credit to this post which I found incredibly helpful identifying the following selection of buttons… I was lucky enough to get a great group of various Artillery buttons recently. I’d like to share some pictures of them. First, the Royal Artillery ones. I’m using the dates that the design was in use, I haven’t yet narrowed down the date of individual buttons using the makers marks on the backs. Between 1790 - 1802 the design was still that I’m more familiar with nowadays as that of the ordnance corps. The first 2 and the last small dark one are curved, they are Officer buttons. The remaining 4 are flat and therefore those worn by other ranks. Between 1802 - 1831 the design below was adopted, I’m missing this one… Between 1831 - 1840 the design returned to that of the 3 cannon, this time without the shield and the Crown was added. This design was to return in 1855. Between 1840 - 1855 the addition of a scroll bearing ‘Ubique’ under the cannons made a brief appearance. Between 1855 - 1872 was the last time the design featuring the 3 cannons was used. The Royal Artillery returned to the simpler 1831-40 design though varieties in colour/finish existed now such as a silvered finish (Officer only) and white metal for volunteers. Examples of all 3 types together below. and smaller ones below 1871 saw massive changes to British army buttons and uniform. The dropping of the numbered regiment of foot system, amalgamations & naming of regiments and the use by other ranks of the general service button. From 1872 - Present, The Royal Artillery has used the same single cannon design. The crown changed in 1902 and again in 1952 with the change of the Monarch. I’m not to sure which are silvered and which just white metal but… Amongst the above there is one even I can spot. It’s solid, feels heavy and looks great. The Firmin makers mark on the back dates it to 1884… That’s the Royal Artillery examples done, there are some other types of Artillery in the group, including a few commonwealth and some others. I’ll add those shortly. I hope this kept your interest, I’m glad you got this far 😊 So to those that did… 🍻 tony

Hi both, I think you’re both spot on, some issues I’ve noticed myself. It can be uncomfortable highlighting issues but there’s no progress otherwise, so they need addressing. As you’re both here, so to speak, I’d like to share my thoughts with you. First Steve, your reply was posted 30November, Drew visited 2December, it’s now the 9th… so he saw your considerable replies and off he went, so that’s annoying! & unless he gets back into this chat to correct me…to me that’s someone who joined only to see what ‘we’ made of something dodgey. Something that he hopes to pass off as ‘good’ on ebay or similar. That’s the worst and a somewhat familiar scenario. The other scenario I see is the person who posts gets no reply. When I notice these posts with no reply, some years old, I often wonder why. They are/were sometimes simple to reply to, even if they are questions that can’t be simply answered or ask nothing… there is no reply. When you look at their profile you see they stopped visiting shortly after, which is a shame. My own experience has evolved. When I eventually got a smart phone and truly found the internet, I found the GMIC and browsed without joining. When I joined I had so much ‘stuff’… stuff I wanted to show off, stuff I was proud of, stuff I wanted help with and stuff I thought other people would enjoy. It was a no brainer that it was appropriate to contribute before asking to make withdrawals so to speak but it was hard to do so. One problem was I didn’t know the ‘rules’, I just butted in when I didn’t have anything like the same level of knowledge and what I found interesting to say/show to add was not always welcome. I stopped posting eventually, I felt I wasn’t really adding in any real way, I found twitter and got the interaction I realised I wanted on there. Fast forward a few years and maybe 2 years ago I found myself back. I was banned on twitter for stating facts and sharing my opinion… it turns out that makes me a nazi, who knew eh? 🤷‍♂️ Anyway I came back on here and stayed. *** I’ll finish this later, I just managed to lose a shitload I’d spent ages writing 😡 so gonna leave it there for now… **** tony 🍻 One last thing Steve, I see you were Royal Artillery so if you give me a day I’ll post some pictures of this fine selection I got recently, all old arty, loads of different Victorian and good less common types in there… and some nice pics of these two fellas 1881 pattern volunteers - Captain 1891 pattern regulars - lieutenant tony 🍻

That’s a fine looking example too Christian and the appearance is certainly a dead ringer for mine. Same pleats and folds and the little ribbon hanger sewn to the reverse too 👍 many thanks 🍻 tony

Hello Gents, it’s not often I get something that different but I found this and it’s a first addition for me. It is full size. The stitching is great as i would expect (sexist?😊) , even some little loops to hold the pin in place. I’m pretty chuffed with it 😁 cheers tony editz Gents, can someone tell me if the ribbon looks original or not please? I see looped ends, which is good, but that’s as far as I get.. 👍

Hi Gents, I had another look, it is the same actual medal… the flaws on the ribbon are identical. tony 🍻

I don’t know which unit this Colonel belonged to but I’d be surprised if carrying a bottle opener is regulation 😁 🍻🍻

Coincidentally Gents, I’ve just seen this same one up for sale by someone else now. Buy it now for €770. They’ve tidied it up a bit… Before After The right hand side particularly looks better but seems a shame to mess with it. tony 🍻

I don’t doubt you E, I know better 😊 but how do you know?? It’s wizardry to me 🤷‍♂️. What do you see to differentiate between an acceptable unofficial/private purchase piece and an undesirable one? tony 🍻

Thanks Pete, when I saw there was a reply from you I held my breath… I’m glad they have the thumbs up. That’s something I was pondering over. Below👇 A uniform I have for a Colonel of the RAMC , mess dress (but minus badges and all but the 2 epaulette buttons.) At first he was an officer of the Indian Medical Service, the Colonel would then have become RAMC once promoted to a staff officer (something like that) It seems to date 1910-20’s so he would have been IMS during Victorian era… I tempted to fit it (maybe just the waist coat) with earlier QVC I.M.S. buttons I have.. I’ve managed to assemble quite a nice selection of Indian Medical Service uniforms & pieces. Related set of 2 complete Victorian uniforms with cape, sword belt and crossbelt &pouch A group from 1930’s - a named greatcoat & 3 white mess pieces Also from the 30’s named mess dress tunic. I’ve got buttons. It’s not been so simple trying to source the missing badges but happily it has led me to some nice finds… Cheers Gents tony 🍻

That about sums me up, two of those that I wrote off ‘just because’ right at the beginning 😊 Pete, Thanks for your guidance once again 🍻 cheers tony

Hello Gents, just a little heads up. Ive often looked through the medal rolls etc at the national archives but not paid proper attention to what the page says… I’ve seen the £3.50 charge and assumed that there was a fee whatever. But no, it is FREE & EASILY accessible. To ‘sign up’ you simply give your email address and they then mail you to confirm it. & That’s it 🤷‍♂️ After that it’s free for you to order up to 100 documents per 30 days, they immediately email you a pdf file https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D5867164 Wish I’d realised this sooner 😊 cheers Gents tony 🍻

Hi Gents, I bought these 2 the other day, described as RAMC pair. i noticed this was a bit different though Something else I have to read up on now. cheers tony 🍻

Hello Gents, I’m aiming to get pictures of a few bits of some IMS uniforms I have posted on here but I’m still reading up on what’s what for now. Just sussed something… I knew they were, Queen Victoria,King Edward vii and King George V buttons and I didn’t focus on them yet. I thought they were bad quality designs. Queen Victoria , VRi, with a different crown King Edward Vii , ERVii is ‘ER1’ (normal crown) King George V , GRV is ‘GR1’ (different crown) They are in fact correct, each were the ‘first Kings Edward/George of India’… That was new to me. Cheers tony

The books are good for identification but not for pointing the difference between genuine and fake as you pointed out. I see replies on here that demonstrate the need for an experienced eye. I spent hours looking up some German badge posted on here, it looked nothing like any example I found, the quality was poor and I would have bet it was a copy. Someone else luckily chipped in before me… it was genuine, they knew the maker and all the differences were normal 🤷‍♂️. It’s strange because when I look back at the pictures now I think they look terrible 😊 cheers tony 🍻

I can see why you didn’t part with those 3, Fathers own and friends Airborne… priceless pieces. tony 🍻