Mervyn Mitton

The possibility has to be that it is a French Fireman's helmet. Not dis-similar to the British patterns of the Victorian era. Try looking for it under a heading - French Military and civilian helmets of 19th Century. You might be lucky. Mervyn

Greg - I wasn't aware that the security services were complaining about the short notice. I mentioned it because it didn't seem fair that police who don't know London should be called so quickly. With regard to the armed forces - the more the better. We must be a big target for certain groups...... DM - good comments on the CGC - but perhaps they were deliberately trying to have a clean look ? I can't say that I dislike it. I fully agree with you that the Elizabeth Cross is a very attractive award. Mervyn

Chris - you have a QSA with 5 bars - some of which will be 'Battle' Bars. You have the Grandsons 2nd WW - Killed in Action and , finally you have a GSM with Malaya Bar. The value has to be somewhere in the region of at least 350 Pounds. Pay the offering price - which is fair - I'm sure you will make your profit. Mervyn

Good one Mike.......... With 8 days to go, they have just announced that the Security Company hired to do most of the general security has been unable to fulfill it's contract. Now, Police are having to be called-in from Forces all over the UK. The question you have to ask - why were civilian security being considered in the first place ? Bit like South Africa. Our Police Stations are guarded by companies.....................

Paul, this sounds a very interesting project and I am sure our Members will be able to assist. I will leave it to my fellow Regional Administrator - Brian Wolfe to contact you. He lives in Canada and started the original post. With best wishes. Mervyn

Hi Jean-Paul. I have deleted the second post - this one had more replies. Interesting comments on awards for previous battle - but, just how many possible recipients are still alive ? The Government have more pressing problems with the state of the Country. Talking of which - why is the typ in your post so small ? Best wishes Mervyn

Chris - do a 'before and after' set of photos. Mervyn

They were always decorated at the time. There were no warrant cards or ID's so, everything that the Constable needed to establish his authority is on the truncheon - or, staff.

-------------------------------------------------http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2012/post-6209-0-54000200-1342543018.jpgclick to enlarge--------------------------------------- This picture shows three Staffs of Office. Top : Carried by Ushers of the Duke of Norfolk - Heriditary Grand Marshall of England - in Westminster Abbey at the Coronation of King Edward 7th. 1902. MIDDLE : Official Staff of Office - King William 4th. (1830-37) There are name details. LOWER : This is an official staff for one of the three Scottish orders of High Constables. Edinburgh, Perth and Leith. This one is for Perth. Held in Processions - or, on duty - the Royal Arms are at top and those of Perth at the base. Societies of High Constables were civilian and usually well-to-do shopkeepers - or, gentlemen. They were formed in the days when Policing was very poor.

Top of head (for some reason it is showing sideways) http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2012/post-6209-0-49378800-1342542865.jpgclick to enlarge

------------------------------------------------------------http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2012/post-6209-0-82916200-1342542009.jpgclick to enlarge---------------------------------------- Many Police Forces in Victorian times often had patrol sergeants and Inspectors carrying a walking stick. This could be tapped on the pavement - or, old tram lines - to call constables in for updates. Senior officers rarely carried a full stick - however, this is a fine example from the City of Glasgow. The Crown is for King Edward 7th (1901-1910) and the top shows the rank of Superintendent. Rare.

After nearly 50 years of collecting Police related historical items the last main part of the collection has just been sent off to a major collector. He is a good friend and I am happy to know that they have gone to a good home where they will be looked after and further researched - still quite a sad moment in my life. I still have many pieces - swords, uniform, lamps, whistles etc. to dispose of - some of them can go on our For Sale section. Meanwhie here are a few pictures and I will add further ones over time. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2012/post-6209-0-86685100-1342541454.jpgclick to enlarge From the left - an early numbered baluster style truncheon for the English County of Dorset. With number. Middle : Parker Field truncheon for the City of Oxford. With Divisional number Right : Victorian Special Constables truncheon - Number 51. A little wear.

Brian - I think this is a very fair recomendation. Peter is a Member of the Forum and Stuart a retired Member. They are experts in their field and this referral could help our members. Although I must say Helmets have been quiet for a while - does anyone have something interesting to post ?

Hi Tony. Three nice pieces, I particularly liked the pocket telescope. Probably an officer's private purchase. You have to wonder if it saw service ? Have you seen the new member posting under Web Sites to introduce his new site on old watches. Perhaps you can get him to join-in ? Mervyn

Under our Forum for non-members - Guest Valuations and Identifications - we have a lapel badge. If anyone can assist the owner we will be grateful. Mervyn

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2012/post-6209-0-95049500-1342451988.jpgclick to enlarge

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2012/post-6209-0-62856300-1342451846.jpgclick to enlarge

The following thee pages are the original write-up that accompanied the photos. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2012/post-6209-0-61681800-1342451662.jpgclick to enlarge

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2012/post-6209-0-04831200-1342450210.jpgclick to enlarge This picture shows the older 'home made' artillery used by the Boers against the British during the First Boer War of 1881. This is the first time I have found mention of these guns. This earlier campaign was against the Boers in order to release our troops trapped in Pretoria. We were badly prepared for it and had insufficient troops available. We fought three battles in the area outside of Newcastle - about 150 miles from Durban. We were deafeated in all three - the last being at Majuba Hill where our commanding general - Sir George Colley was killed .For years after people wore lapel badges saying - 'Remember Majuba'. The British can be a little strange at times - we do not commemorate defeats. No medals were issued and the General is buried in a field at the bottom of Majuba Hill. I campaigned for some years to have him returned to London for burial at Westminster Abbey - no one was at all interested.

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2012/post-6209-0-39003900-1342449400.jpgclick to enlarge

During our recent flood a number of Boer War Prints had slight damage to the mounts. After drying they had to be re-set in new cardboard frames. This original print from the Illustrated London News of 1900 shows a patrol of Brabant's Horse having a rest. A black and white 1/2 page, we have an artist in the UK who watercolours them to give the correct impression. However, the surprise came when it was dismounted and we found that the reverse page had an article on the famous Creusot heavy artillery that the Boers had imported from France . Even more surprising were the pictures of the home made guns used against the British in the 1st. Boer War of 1881. This is the Brabant's Horse illustration. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2012/post-6209-0-26643600-1342449195.jpgclick to enlarge

Capetown Highlanders - Feather Bonnet worn by the Band. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2012/post-6209-0-26847900-1342444917.jpgclick to enlarge

Razo54. I think you are being a little confrontational here. There would seem to be a family matter involved over the selling of his uniform items - however, in no way were our members to be aware of this. Perhaps if you respond some members may be wiling to part with some of the pieces that belonged to your late Father. Mervyn

Brian - nice that you have the document to go with the award - so often they become separated. I agree that the design is tasteful - however, the new British version is also attractive and distinguished. Mervyn

Tony - welcome to GMIC. Some useful reference material and I hope it will help Mike. You mention the re-enactment group - perhaps they would allow you to post a few pictures on this thread ? Mervyn