paul wood

Looks almost as though it's been excavated. Paul

Certainly checks out but the naming on the rim is all important. Paul

looks like a genuine but badly damaged 5th Class. Paul

Looks OK to me. Paul

Can't see any problem there. Paul

Sounds good to me. Paul

Peter, Anything half decent Australian medalwise has to get an export license. If it is considered to be of national importance then the Australian government will refuse to let it out of the country. VCs GCs and other major gallantry will not get a license. I would have thought this group would be unlikely to get one. Canada has similar rules. Paul

Medal appears to be OK but it's the naming which is important and without seeing that cannot be sure as to the correctness of the piece. Paul

I presume it didn't remain that long after 1956. Paul

Very nice Mervyn, how did that escape from Arundel? The actual title is Earl Marshal, he is responsible for organising the Royal beanos, coronations weddings and funerals. Paul

Kev, In Resch "Die Munzen von Siebenburgen" it is rendered as Brasso, I accept that it is actually Brasov. Paul

Nick I was suggesting that modern medal cabinets are very expensive and of indifferent quality, unlike 18th/19th century craftsmanship. Paul

Sergio, the best cabinets for medals are the 18th-19th century collectors cabinets which were often used for gems,cameos,mineralogical specimens etc. The one I have, which is early 19th century glass fronted, cost me £150, I already have about 500 British India related campaign medals in there and there is room for at leat the same amount again. Not ony do they hold a good ammount they look much more attractive than the modern formica crap. Paul

I thought Brasso (the stuff in tins not the place in Transylvania) was the stuff you needed for cleaning brass, I assume they still sell it. Paul

I assume that the enamel is white not light blue, therefore it is the Prussian Johanitter Order, A Prussian protestant equivalent of the Order of Malta. Our Imperial German colleagues will be able to give you chapter and verse on the type, degree and date. Paul

Interesting Chris. I have E-mailed the City of London Police Museum (yesterday) and as soon as I have any info I will post. I suspect they were given out at his retirement beano, bronze to the basic guests, bronze-gilt to more important, maybe there was a silver, silver-gilt and gold the latter for Child. This is pure speculation and I hope the C of L will be able to give firmer information. Paul

It appears if you were to collect all the awards of the Russian Federation you would need several medal cabinets (and rising). Paul

Looks like a certain US medal dealer's made a few dollars. Paul

As someone who has a collection of WWI and Afghanistan 1919 medals to the Nepalese Contingent I find these rank badges absolutely fantastic I am extremely envious. Paul

I wouldn't guarantee the authenticity of those shoulderboards I'm sure I've seen them somewhere before without the uniform. Paul

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_11_2013/post-3085-0-82789800-1383920871.jpgHe was also colonel in chief of the British 1st Dragoon Guards note the badge has the Imperial Austrian Arms. Paul

Ondrej, Most interesting, while I except that the Communist version is much rarer, non-Czech collectors tend to prefer the crowned variety. In my opinion it is one of the most beautifully made post WWI orders. Paul

White elephants understandably. I only have compassion for the pink elephants who follow me around. Paul

I suspect it is not a poppy but an orchid of some kind they were the in thing in those days. Paul

Sorry misinterpretation of Patrikiev's translation