Mervyn Mitton

Robin - a brilliant find. I would agree with you that this is probably George 4th. and being Spode in good condition, must have a good value. I hadn't realised that they had adopted the insignia of their predecessor. Mervyn

Spasm - a pity no-one watched these two short videos. They both relate to the AirForce in action during WW2. I will bring this back to the top to give members a chance to watch. Mervyn

Polsa - I am sorry that no-one replied to your post of 25/9/14. I suppose that this is subject that few people will be able to help with ? Hopefully, with it back at the top, it may jog someone's memory ? Mervyn

Sorry Jock - we seem to have overlooked answering this post on Naval Battle Dress. I see the date is 1944, so it must have been a practical solution to keep Officers' warm - a lot less bulky then a tunic. Mervyn

Stuka - I can see your interest in these pottery figures. Nicely made and painted - although , to my mind, a little stiff in the figuring. Stanley was commissioned by a New York paper to go and look for Livingstone - although he was never lost. I am a Fellow of the British Royal Geographical Society and the main house, next to the Albert Hall , has Livingstone's hat hung on the staircase - he was sponsored by the RGS. I hope your search is succesful. Mervyn

Mike - very nice - and complete - identifications. Well done. Mervyn

Well, it should be possible to trace the owner from the initials - that is if he was in the RIC. Morton's details appear to be hand engraved - which would seem to agree with the possibility that he was the importer. I hope Peter Mc. will be able to trace this back for you. Are the manufacturer's details on the weapon ? Best wishes Mervyn

Andreas - thankyou for showing your pieces. Beautiful in design and in execution. You can be very proud of them , and they must have considerable value to a collector - even higher if you leave the Groups in them ..... Mervyn

Rumjar - the story makes remarkable reading and having it with the medals must make them quite valuable. I don't recognise some of the ribbons - are they Liverpool Constabulary awards ? I think that Dave's advice on further research is very sound - and certainly worth following-up. We will look forward to further posts. Mervyn

Very nice that the Div. HQ sent out a bulletin showing the reasons for the decoration. Your friend should have these properly mounted in a frame - with, if possible, a photo of the Corporal. This will make it an Heirloom. Mervyn

Thankyou for those photos - clear evidence of swords. They were certainly carried -and used- and were only gradually phased out. However, that was for trench warfare - officers did carry swords in other theatres of operations. Mervyn

Nice piece Stuka - although a little worn with use. In the UK they are often called Apprentice pieces as they were made as a final test of the Apprentice's skill. What age would you put on this ? Has a rather Georgian look - which if original would make it pre-1830 ? Mervyn

Last night's episodes showed the Traffic Police in Luton. This seems to be a place with a lot of violence and a complete lack of respect for the Police. They showed a young PC trying to arrest one young men - with three ohers attacking him. Not one member of the public attempted to assist. This in itself is an offence. Erosion of authority seems to be all over the World - probably TV and "social media". One car chase involved an 18 year old who had stolen a car. The PC who was chasing was Muslim and in the middle of Ramadan - so, he was on a strict fast. He admitted that this caused him to lack energy and he lost the suspect. Surely he should have been on night duty during the period of Ramadan ? Mervyn

More like entry for the armoured Jag. ! You would probably have to show pictures of the Tube......

dksiggs - have you been able to take the photos on the weapon ? If you have problems posting please contact me. Mervyn

Odulf - I can see your concern with the slider - perhaps it was converted from loops ? Was there anything else ? Mervyn

Megan - we haven't had that series yet - perhaps by 2017 ! I am not sure that I approve of all of these reality shows - rather like all of those on the Royal Family - they take away the mystique.. What do you think ? Mervyn

Thankyou Zeb - good info.. Mervyn

Hi Ricardo. Yes, they all appear to be OK and of the WW2 period. They would have been either side of the War. The Army Cyclist Corps is a nice one to have , also the Carnarvonshire Volunteer Regiment. This last appears to have an Edward 7th Crown, so may be for the 1st WW. - on the other hand they may just have retained the earlier Crown from when they were formed. I am sure one of our members will be able to confirm this ? These are fairly standard badges from that period - and mostly made in large numbers - so don't expect great values. However, they are representitive of a lot of units who fought in WW2. Mervyn

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Over the past few months our S.A. TV has started to show two weekly programmes on the activities of the British Police. One is called "Police Interceptors" and the other "Traffic Cops " . I am not sure how old they are - probably about two years. However, you may still be getting them in the UK and in other Countries ? "Interceptors" deals with high speed BMW's attached to most British County Police. The ones I am watching are showing Lincolnshire Police and how they use these vehicles for high profile and in dealing with crime. The other series "Traffic Cops" has similar vehicles and again, moves to different Counties - they are currently in Bedford. There has been no mention of the Metropolitan Police - they may not be involved ? Personally, I think the 'realty' style of the programmes is causing the Police to act for the cameras. However, I think this is something we can all talk about - even our collegues from overseas who haven't seen the programmes. Mainly though, I would like UK current and retired - to tell us what you think of the programmes -- of the vehicles -- of the attitudes generated -- and if you think it is an addiitional deterrent to crime ? Also, do you think it a good idea for any Police Force to expose it's men and methods so publicly. I hope all our members will feel free to comment - and also, tell us about any specific programmes in your Country . Mervyn

Jock - some nice engravings. Should the railway station still exist - these would make a nice gift to show the original. The German advertising one is probably quite early and you should put it on auction. Old advertising signs are collectable. The fox hunting one is quite unusual. It appears to be German - what does the caption say ? The mix is unusual and would appear to date it from either just before WW1 or, the 20's. The question is , are all of the figures German or, does it iclude a group of English making a visit. They will be in the Pinks and the top hat. The hounds are British Fox Hounds - but Germany had a tradition of hunting and would have bought breeding stock. I wonder if we can identify the ones in Uniform or, their hats ? The figure with the yellow hat and sleeve bands has been made the main line of sight - and is probably a General . Again, we have to wonder who ? Mervyn (Try posting this in addition on the German Forums) Their is still great interest in Hunting scenes and with the early style and emphasis on the uniforms it could go for a high price in Germany. Where are your main auction houses ? Mervyn

Try doing what they did in the UK - have some of the larger ones chromed and offer them as paper weights. Mervyn

Dies are now hard to come-by - they are specific by Country - and obviously some Countries will be worth more than others. With Britain the more valuable ones are for Regiments and for the large titled Houses. When I was in the Police I was offered two gareges full of them - every police force and Regiment and the titled houses. I had the money, but not the space to keep them, so passed. I often see them being offered as chromed paper weights - however, unless you are intending large scale modern reproductions they are not easy to do anything with. Stuka - how many do you have in total ? Mervyn

Les - I agree with your point about sites not being touched unless it is necessary. Unfortunately, with modern metal detectors - and the natural greed of people where 'buried treasure' is concerned - it makes it necessary to take defensive action. However, unless there is this great pressure, then archeological sites should be preserved until our technology is at a higher stage. Mervyn