paul wood

2 Squadrons were part of the 53rd Brigade of the 18th (Indian) Division and served throughout the allied occupation of Iraq. Paul

Thanks for clearing that up. Paul

Its certainly not Turkish, It's a 4th Class badge, Egyptian? Paul

I have handled one many years ago and yes it is the real yellow metal. You also get the Imtiaz Medal in gold normally engraved but allied rulers, the Kaiser and King of Bulgaria amongst them had their names individually die struck. For Ferdinand Of Bulgaria see the King of Bulgaria collection, Sotheby's 7 July 1998, lot 263 gold and silver,naming on the gold is illustrated. All the best, Paul

Unfortunately clairvoyance is not one my specialities any fear of a photo as from your description could be anything from its inception (4th October 1883) to the present day. All the best, Paul

This is a Portuguese Order at typical French made piece which until the latter part of the 19th century most Portuguese Orders were. However it was awarded in Brazil the badges are easily distinguishable by the crown suspensions. Paul

French export mark in use 11 July 1840- 1 April 1879 applied to all silver destined for export. Paul

It's an Officer's breast Cross. Souval is also famous for the restriking of the Azad Hind Decorations. Paul

It's a standard and particulary unpleasant fake (a bit like Jordan's prominent parts). Just comparing it with the earlier one clearly shows the difference. All the best, Paul

It certainly could be awarded to a German. I have not seen one from this period but I have seen Military Merit Crosses awarded to Germans for the Spanish Civil War. Possibly a German detachment based in the German cantonment in Morocco who aided the Spanish in their campaigns afginst the local tribes. Paul

Roeland, Looks Great War period to me similar to the type you see given to allied top brass. All the best, Paul

Dear Christian, What you have is the Cruz del Plata 1875-1931 type. It is basically an other ranks award and was highly prized by the recipients although the quality is (as often with these) diabolical. Not of significant value but interesting. All the best, Paul

Samuel was an ardent Zionist and one of the supporters of the Balfour Declaration as well as the first commissioner of the mandated territory of Palestine. I do not neccessarily think that it was produced in Israel but in Europe for purchase among the diaspora. Seeing in the appointment of Samuel the possibility of the eventual creation of a Jewish homeland in Palestine. Paul

Very interesting, an early representation of the Order of St Janarius which was founded by the Infante Carlo de Borbone who was Duke of Parma and king of the Two Sicilies before succeeding to the Spanish throne in 1759. It was founded in 1738 to commemorate his marriage to Princess Amalia Walburga of Saxony. It received Papal approval in 1741. It was intended to create an order with similar prestige to the Orders of the Golden Fleece, Holy Ghost and the Garter. As a dynastic order it is still awarded to this day by the Duke of Castro, head of the house of Bourbon Paul

Just to let you all know, there is a fake type 3 (small neck badge) Knights Bachelor around. What makes it dangerous is it comes in a fake red Royal Mint box, the box on close examination is slightly substandard I.E. the central gold bolder is slightly off-centre. The inside of the case has a very plausible royal mint stamp the only give away is that it is slightly fainter as to the badge it actually lacks the depth of the original but the two real give aways are firstly the loop is made of thick wire and lastly and most importantly the reverse is not hallmarked (which they all should be). The style of the box looks 1990's Royal Mint at their worst but with less care. It is believed that these pieces come out of the Netherlands. The piece which I encountered certainly did. Caveat Emptor as a few may turn up on E-Bay Paul

The others are a combination of local life saving awards (which you often see with British Royal Humane Society Groups) and societies for people who had performed such act (there seems to have been one for every village with more than 3 people and a cow) but a wonderful photo. Paul

Steve as to value of the unofficial piece. I would suspect it would be more desirable with the official one and assuming the Russian buyers liked the jewellers piece the two could make around ?500 (or even more if a few people decided the wanted the second piece). There is however a fair bit of speculative element but tome it looks absolutely of the time. Paul

Dear Avsar, Some useful information and viewable imageds avaiable. Yesterdays Baldwin's Islamic coin auction held in London www.baldwin.sh had a section of Ottoman material including some nasties. Lots 608, 610, 612 were sabresd Medjidies, all of them had dubious sabres and thankfully the were not sold. 634 was a large gold sultan's medal for Egypt. This was a cast (which is even clear from the image) and was withdrawn. Also 635 (as rare as rocking horse manure) a large silver, this was also wrong and with drawn (I know of one person who took time off work to view it and was deeply dissapointed). Also 684, gilt bronzeTeshrin-i-sani 1338 (war of independence). This was a wrongun and also withdrawn. What is good is that images are available and therefore can be compared (for real sabres compare M&E ANS 2 Oct. 2006. All the best, Paul

South Asian Battles and Medals, I am drooling with anticipation. Shame you won't be at OMSA Paul

Comparing with one I have, cant see anything obviously wrong with it. Paul

Difficult to say the photo is far to shiny and every time I click on the thing to try and get a better image all I get is this damned imageshack website and cheesy adverts. A better shot (less shiny and with better contast and definition) should help. Paul

It is most certainly not a government made piece but is undoubtedly contemporary. I can find no records of it in any of my literature. Paul

Dear Steve, The larger of the two medals is the Patriotic War of 1812 commemorative, second variety with smaller rays and globular suspension (Diakov 358/2), there were two such medals in ANS part 2 one similar to yours made ?160 ($300). The other is an unofficial and privately made piece, from the illustration the design is very unclear owing to the darkness of the piece. I hope the information is of assistance. Paul