paul wood

Marvellous what information on at first what seems to be a relitavely humble Brtish War Medal. a superb acquisition be interesting if one could find out his career post FO courier (I doubt if he would h ave been in Germany in 1941 and still in the post. Fascinating). Paul

Harry thanks for that, Alas sad individual that I am I will certainly read the book as I have a few medals in my collection to the Burma Military Police. Paul

It has a lot of similarities to the Spanish order of the Yoke and Arrows (which bore the Falange badge) I suspect it is connected with the falange, possibly he served in Spain at some time during his career. Paul

The auctioneers who would, if one were to come on the market, most likely handle it would be either Theis or Zeige. As far as I am aware the only German WWI Fieldmarshals batons to appear are Prussian. Surely the army at that level would be under central German control and presumably any post 1871 Fieldmarshal would be nominated by the Kaiser. I suspect that Bavarian Fiedmarshal's batons only exist prior to unification. I certainly have never seen one come up for sale. I expect that is why there have been no replies because no one on this forum has seen one. I'm not sure whether there is a military musuem in Munich, maybe they might be able to help. Paul

Thanks for that, I tried to organise that but my computer was not in the mood for doing it. Paul

Thank you Demir, Most informative as ever. Paul

Demir, very interesting, were there any other varieties of packages for the official piece? Paul

Ed Haynes late of this forum is really the main man on Afghani material, I suspect even he might find it challenging. Paul

A bit of challenge for Owain as the language the medal is written is Pashtu rather than Arabic, the script is similar but otherwise its a bit like comparing English and Romanian. Paul

Mervyn, It's the post 1927 head. I supect it's the sort of thing you can pick up in the jewellery shops in Saudi today. Paul

Interestingly the medal bears the toughra of Sher Ali (1863-66. 1868-79), who was ousted by the British in 1879 and died on the way to exile in Russian Turkestan. As far as I am aware this is the earliest Afghanistani medal that I know of. Information on Afghani medals, especially the earlier pieces is virtually non-existent and there is no research lines available. It is possible that a member of this forum may be able to provide a translation, although it is not he easiest of languages to translate. It is quite possible that this medal was soldiers booty from the 2nd Afghan War. Whatever most interesting, The tiger's head blow the legend is reminiscent of the design on the Afghan stamps of the period. If you PM me I will give you my E-mail address and if you can send me an image I may be able to get some help from other sources. Paul

There is an interesting 18th century case of a forger who sent his son with a jug to the ale house to purchase beer, he gave his son a few of his recently made halfpennies to facilitate the purchase. When the boy handed the money over the landlord remarked that they were rather warm. The boy replied " of course they are my dad just made them." it shows how your children can get you into trouble. Paul

Thank you Chris as an Indian Loony this article is of of particular interest (as well as the Muscat and the Baluchistan articles). Paul

In 1124 the coinage of England was so adulterated that Henry I ordered the moneyers of England to lose their right hand and be emasculated, the order was carried out (probably with some gusto) by Roger of Salisbury Paul

Mervyn I doubt if the they are Zulu huts on the Scottish agriicultural medal more like crofts or grain stores. The Edward VIII medal was struck in bronze and lead, the maker is unrecorded, as you are aware coronation medals fro Edward VIII are much more plentiful than those for George VI, as he never got crowned people bought thenm up in large numbers and treasured them. Paul

Its Afghanistani and is dated AH 1293 (1876). I would suspect it is connected with annexation of Baluchistan by the British. A most interesting medal and certainly a steal at a couple of quid. Paul

Would the medaille Militaire have been awarded during a visit to France when he was a serving Swedish Naval Officer. Paul

I love the green enamel on the Third Classes, one of the most attractive pieces amongst the Bulgarian series. Paul

Via the Russsian ambasasador in Belgrade who's name escapes me but who had tremendous influence within Serb government circles and later managed to drop dead during the Sarajevo crisis. The diplomatic service (although everyone knew everyone elses cyphers) was very rapid and quite efficient. One has to also realise that at the beginning of 1913 Russia while favouring Serbia against Bulgaria had not decided to give up on Bulgaria totally which she had eighteen months later. Paul

He survived as Emir unti 1920 when the Red Army captured Bukhara. He fled to Afghanistan where he remained in exile until his death in 1944 Paul

The main reason that the Balkan wars did not escalate to global conflict was the fact that the Russians refused to back the Serbs carte blanche over Durazzo as a result the Serbs backed down. By the time of the Sarajevo incident the Russian government had lost its more moderating influences and were prepared to fully prepared to mobilize against Austria (and subsequently Germany), had this not been the case it is quite likely that the Serbs would have reluctantly accepted the Austro-Hungarian ultimatum (even clause 6). Bolstered by Russian support the Serb govermment under Pasic felt more confident that they could enter a major conflict, which although would initially mean abandoning Belgrade, would eventually pan out to their advantage and therefore would achieve the goal of the Serb nationalist movement of a greater unified Serbia. Paul

Doesn't look Serb to me, interestingly the monogtam seems to be surrounded by a Garter, could it be a British Lady in Waiting badge? Paul

Taken from the Strand Magazine (1899) When he was staying in Paris a little while ago, the papers noticed that he wore the ribbon of the Legion of Honour, and another, which was declared to belong to some Swedish decoration. As a matter of fact, this latter token of distinction was attached to the medal of the French Humane Society, and was earned by His Majesty thirty-three years ago, when he only enjoyed the title of Crown Prince. He happened to be walking on the Carnice Road just as a runaway carriage and pair dashed towards him, when, with great presence of mind, the young Prince ran at once to the horses’ heads, and succeeded in stopping them before any serious consequences ensued. There you have it. Paul

Marvellous. The Emir of Bukhara has been a long time favourite, he certainly looks the epitome of decadence. I had not realised the technique employed. Thanks for sharing. Paul

Could it be the Merit Medal of the Order of the Crown. Paul