paul wood

I agree Richard. A well known firm in Switzerland had some very dodgy stuff (amongst some good pieces) a couple of years ago. Some dealers and and auctioneers will withdraw items if you tell them others would rather not know. If you are thinking of buying an item from auction or a dealer, especially Warlord material, and you are not certain send an image, there are people here only to happy to help and between us we have a very high level of expertise, better than spending a lot of money and having to argue the toss afterwards. Paul

The Rand Rifles wre formed in late 1900 to guard the Johannesburg Area,they were invo;lved in local skirmishes but were not involved in any majoor action hence no battle clasps. Robert Thirwell was discharged from the Rifles on 23 May 1901. A seperate unit The Rand Rifles Mine Guards were specifically tasked to defend the gold mines. I suspect any histories devoted solely to these units would be contemporary local productions. Nice acquisition. Paul

Could it be Early Eritrean War period circa 1962? Paul

Probably a graduates medal, nice acquisition. Paul

Looks even better with a decent photo. Paul

I am sure you are right, being such an unbelievably rare order it had never slipped into my mind, but looking at an image of the order and the case it makes sense. Paul

Most interesting I notice in the Military Calender there is no mention of GJB receiving a gold medal, it could be that there is a mistake in the records and GJB has been put in in error for GJB Not the first itme something like that has happened and certainly not the last. Paul

Well done. You are lucky to have such an unusual surname as Pikesley. The chances are that if any medals come with that surname they are most likely to be related albeit distantly. Alas with surname like Wood I could probably fill two medal cabinets with medals named to Wood and find that none of them are even distantly related (I like to think Sir Evelyn Wood is a relative but alas this is not the case). Nice find. Paul

Bill, I think your second option is most likely, well remembered and spotted. Paul

THE EDINBURGH GAZETTE, MAY 22, 1860. To be Ordinary Members of the Civil Division of the Third Class, or Companions, of the said Most Honourable Order (BATH); viz. Henry Carre Tucker, Esq. Bengal Civil Service, Commissioner of Benares.

Henry Carre Tucker was commissioner at Benares and retired from the post the previous year, I suspect that this was a retirement present from a grateful government. Paul

I have tried looking at it closely but it is really too indistinct. Its a bit like the phsychiatrists ink blob you can make of it whatever you like. Its a shame you can't do good old line drawings on line. Does it have any resemblance to anything animate or inanimate? Sorry I can't be of more help. Paul

I supect that is a foundry or factory mark but not clear enough on image for any positive ID. Paul

JGP was also Lieut. Col. and D. Adj. Gen. Paul

Looks like the standard French marking for Bronze, except the ZE has gone AWOL Paul

RR If you do not have a copy of McDaniel you really ought to as it provides illustrations and number ranges (amongst other things) for all the types). Not cheap but a very good investment. The Comprehensive Guide to Soviet Orders & Medals, Paul D., Jr. McDaniel (Author), Paul J. Schmitt (Author) Paul

The Medals were actually sold by Foreman senior they were included in a Sotheby's Geneva auction in (I think 1994) where the grouping was dispersed. The medal bar was purchased by George Seymour a well known American collector of Imperial German and a thoroughly nice chap. He died around 2005 and the bar was then auctioned with the rest of his collection by Andreas Thies. ( re the photo I am sure the Kaiser's hair wasn't that awful). Paul

Garrards were at Panton Street from 1818-1911 when they moved to Albermale Street. However this cannot be Admiral Thomas Tudor Tucker's piece as it is a CB Civil which was not founded until 1847, Thomas became a CB after 1840 and certainly no later than 1846 when he is listed as a CB. On the reverse of the badge there should be a hallmark (not always very clear on the early Garrard CB Civils)which will date it (I am assuming that the piece is gold when it will date it between 1847 and 1887). Certainly it is a genuine CB however I suggest it may have been awarded to another member of the family. There is another Thomas Tudor Tucker who served with the Bengal Cavalry around the Mutiny and I believe went into businesss on retirement, perhaps it could be him. Hope this helps, Paul

The naming on the Small Army Gold Medal is confusing. A small gold for Roleia and Vimiera was awarded to John Goulston Price Tucker. He is the only Tucker to have received tan Army Gold. If it is him then he is quite a distinguished fugure having been wounded at the assault on Montevideo 1807. He served in South Africa prior to then and was briefly Commandant of Simonstown. If this checks out then this is a very desireable medal worth in excess of £10,000. Hope this is of help. Paul

Is the medal inscribed at all on the rim? gold specimens are known, these were presentation pieces to senior figures and there was a group of gold specimen medalssold by Morton and Eden in October 2003 A Magnificent Presentation Set of Four Specimens of India Medals struck in Gold, without suspension, each medal with frosted finish and set in a gold-rimmed glazed case, comprising: (a) Kelat-i-Ghilzie 1842; (b) Candahar, Ghuznee, Cabul 1842; © Jellalabad 1842, second issue, with flying Victory on reverse; and (d) Meanee-Hyderabad 1843, minor marks on the frame of the last, otherwise all mint state, housed in original fitted display case of issue allowing display of either side of the medals, believed to be unique (4) £10,000-15,000 Provenance: Presented to Field Marshal His Grace the Duke of Wellington, K.G., G.C.B., G.C.H., Commander-in-Chief, 1842-52, and formerly in the Apsley House Collection While they are extremely rare or possibly even unique they do not command the same interest as a normal medal named to a senior figure in the campaign. The set sold for £7,500 Hope this helps, Paul

I agree with Paul can't see any obvious problems. Paul

Our governments have gone crazy they get replaced and those who succeed them are just as crazy. I think Alexander Pope got it right in his couplet from the Rape of the Lock "For forms of power let fools contest, ere what is best administered is best." Paul

In the UK laws tend to be made when they are needed (usually based on legal precedent) if they don't work they fall in to insignificance or are amended to be fit for purpose. That's the one advantage of not having a written constitution things can evolve to meet needs. Paul

Igor Nice it's a Huguenin Freres issue with typical case, quite scarce to get a cased example. You have done well there. Paul

Nice medal he was certainly fully occupied during the Great War. Paul