Mervyn Mitton

dksiggs - welcome to GMIC. This is certainly a different item from the usual guns thay carried. Perhaps it was a special order for a member of the RIC - and Morton's stamped it as the importer ? I would like to see this post continue on our Forum - and not as a PM. This way other members can comment and add their opinions. Peter, I look forward to seeing your opinion. Mervyn

Lovely Artillery Sabretache - 1835 Coat of Arms , however, Crown looks very William 4th. Mike asks if the '2' may be a later fixing - have a look at the leather at the back, see if it looks any different around the holes ? Personally, I am more inclined to think it original - and perhaps indicates a 2nd Battery to a particular assignment. Probably the most common of the Sabretaches as more in use then for a Regimental one. With it's ammo box it must be quite a high price these days. Mervyn

I don't think the pictures of them fighting in Parliament are worth posting - so, a couple more of the military side. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2015/post-6209-0-41347600-1423910548.jpgclick A smart young aircraftsman on duty at Memorial. I think that must be a SA R5 carbine ? http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2015/post-6209-0-87018400-1423910830.jpgclick 25 pounders firing the 21 gun salute. One of the World's most useful guns. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2015/post-6209-0-32473100-1423911005.jpgclick The President still has an 'Official Praise-Singer' - here she is being led-in.

The South African State President's Guard - a unit of some 150 men plus a band - have just reverted to the .303 for ceremonial parades. They found the modern small rifles did not look as effective as the large Lee Enfields. I am showing some pictures taken this week, on the Lounge. I know there was some discussion in the UK about them doing the same thing for parades. I used to carry one - they weigh 9lb 4oz. (about 4.5K's) so they are welcome to them. Mervyn Will show them here - taken from TV so not that clear. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2015/post-6209-0-94484500-1423908579.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2015/post-6209-0-75699000-1423908708.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2015/post-6209-0-86754100-1423908826.jpgclick

Mickey - this is a rare item. The ship shown is the one sunk in 1917 - the silver 'dish' , with the same earlier picture is actually Hallmarked silver for London 1904. This is probably the launch date ? Try a bottle in the dish - if it fits then this is a table bottle holder. Hard to tell size from the picture. There are many collectors of ship memorabilia and with the history of this one you might be surprised. Try the bottle and let's see a picture if it fits. Mervyn

Stuka - I must ask you , as I am intrigued by your new avatar. What is it's history ? Mervyn

Stuka - your first two posts have different information - so, I have left them. I have deleted your note about them. Interestingly with Christofle - whilst it is a French firm - many of it's pieces are made in Brasil. Obviously nice presentation pieces - are you a football fan ? Mervyn

In all honesty - not an impressive piece. I think , if you wait, a better example will come along. Mervyn

bluerinse - I would consider it a modern copy - until proved otherwise. The poor quality and the high demand for this type of risque modelling has to put bad marks against-it. Mervyn

Kev - a lot will depend on the interior and any markings. If it is genuine then to buy the correct shako badge should not be difficult. Mervyn

Rick - the later bombing of German cities - following their earlier devastating attacks on British Cities - was something that was felt necessary at the time to draw a conclusion to the War. However, in most later day assessments we now feel that it was excessive. However, 'Bomber' Harris was at that time following Cabinet orders. Perhaps in the same way that the US used the atomic bombs under the orders of President Truman. Both decisions led to an earlier peace and saved untold lives - including those of the adversaries. The great pity was that it allowed Russia to gain control over much of eastern Europe. A barbaric people who have used their numbers to dominate smaller countries for far too long. This decision to allow them to have so much territory in exchange for Greece, was a serious mistake on Churchill's part. However, to go back to our origninal discussion. We bombed Berlin in the early part of the war for several reasons - one, to show Germany that it too could face severe damage from bombings. Secondly, to take pressure off of eastern Europe. I totally dispute that it was done as a temptation to Hitler to bomb British cities - although that was one of it's results. German High Command had always planned to make peace with Britain and use our Forces to help conquer Russia. When this didn't happen they decided to subdue us and then use our Forces. The Bravery of the RAF stopped this happening - and to quote Churchill - "Never have so many ,owed so much, to so few !" I may not have this quite right , but all of Britain totally agreed with the tribute. To be fair to the German pilots - most of them were following target guides - unfortunately their instruments were not that accurate and we had the blackout. That meant that many bombs were dropped by guesswork - others, overshot docks etc. and hit suburban areas. My earlier blogs on my childhood in London talked about the dradful damage caused by overshoots when they were after the Docks at Greenwich. The blogs may still be on our section- they covered my memories of life as a small boy in London - I was 9 when the war ended against Germany. So, yes I agree that we did have a raid on Berlin to show our capabilities. However, it had no intention of inviting Germany to bomb our cities. That was already part of their "master plan" - and well practised on Europe. Mervyn

Rick - I must take issue with you - in a nice way, of course - over your cynical view of the early part of the War. To say that we bombed the Germans to make them bomb our cities is quite untrue. Had it been true you would have seen some war trials of our own after 1945. There is much talk of the so called excesses of British bombing over Germany in the later parts of the war - however, Europe and particularly Holland and Rotterdam were virtually raised to the ground. Many British Cities had the most terrible damage - and the East End of London had to be restrained from up-rising against the deaths and damage. No, I totally dispute that we caused our cities to be bombed - that was done by a violent and evil enemy - that saw civilians, prisoners and other races as just expendable items. Mervyn

Peter - that is a great honour - so you will be one of 6000 re-creating part of the manoevres and fighting on Waterloo. That is really something for the family archives. You must try and get as many photos as possible for a good article taking us through the reconstruction. Also, all of the other parts, accomodation, meals,general scenes of the battlefields and of visiting dignitaries. You can make a great story for GMIC. Also, you might point out to any French re-enactors that we won the Battle. They have never believed they lost at Waterloo. One final point - we can supply you wiith leaflets and some bigger posters. Distribute as many as possible and pin the posters to tents at night. We should get a lot of new members for GMIC. Great news - congratulations. Mervyn

Zorg - the various research expeditions sound of great interest and I think will prove valuable in establishing a number of points regarding the Battle . I am sure they will find a lot of buried equipment - although we can be quite sure the scavengers have been over the upper surfaces - and with metal detectors, probably quite deep. We must watch for news of what they are finding. Thankyou for letting us know. Mervyn

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2015/post-6209-0-79198100-1423566354.jpgclick lot 206. c1880 'c' spring Brougham. 25/30,000 pounds http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2015/post-6209-0-94490800-1423566569.jpgclick lot 204. c1900 Private Omnibus

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2015/post-6209-0-03663700-1423565259.jpgclick My favourite - Lot 228 c1905 German Hearse. 5 - 8,000 pounds. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2015/post-6209-0-30106500-1423565672.jpgclick Lot 106. A Coachman's ceremonial uniform

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2015/post-6209-0-37848700-1423481036.jpgclick 18th C. Sedan Chair. Poles were on each corner. 4-6000. 18th Century sled, with curved sides. 7 - 10,000

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2015/post-6209-0-07441200-1423480129.jpgclick Child's Pram. c 1890 100 - 200 pounds http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2015/post-6209-0-99916300-1423480283.jpgclick Collection of 11 hand made models. 150-200 pounds

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2015/post-6209-0-63675400-1423479489.jpgclick Well made model of a stagecoach in metal and wood. 150/200 http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2015/post-6209-0-64663400-1423479756.jpgclick c1880 American Racing Sulky . 3/5000 pounds

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2015/post-6209-0-05466300-1423478721.jpgclick British Hansom Cab circa 1890. 2/2500 pounds Lot 87. A statuette of the Emperor Napoleon. unsigned. 200/300 pounds

Early in March, Bonhams - one of the top London Auctioneers will be having a sale of early coaching items. This will include uniforms, accessories such as lamps, whips, harness - and, some of the finest coaches that I have seen outside of museums. They feature most of the different types of coaches - and include a Royal Victorian Open Carriage. Look them-up on line or, send for a catalogue. This is almost sure to become a collector's item in the future. I have attempted to capture about 14 images and have kept the brief details shown by Bonhams. Bear with me if I have to split them - this is a lot of work and the MD slows me up. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2015/post-6209-0-85883700-1423476698.jpgclick (Lot 221 Bonhams . Oxford. 7/3/15.) c1835 Royal Travelling Landau, Used by William 4th. 200/300,000 http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_02_2015/post-6209-0-92112900-1423476942.jpg Royal Landau after the wedding of Prince William & Princess Katherine.

Lovely uniform and your photos show well the progression of changes. I hadn't realised that you are a fairly new member - welcome to GMIC. I hope that we will see further posts from you. Mervyn

Megan - thankyou for this post. I find it strange that for a humanitarian service as the volunteers have performed , that the award is not under that heading - or, more fittingly - an Award from the Red Cross. British medals have always been awarded very sparingly - now Cameron just keeps handing them out. This comment in no way detracts from the Bravery of these various people - just that I don't see it as an award from one Country - they were drawn from many different places. Mervyn

1854 was the change to this pattern Infantry Officer's sword. This was when they removed the folding side to the guard and yours will be this later period. I am afraid that this has been badly interfered with - the original 'VR' cypher , which was surrounded with the emblems of UK countries - daffodil, thistle etc. has been removed and the badge of the NSW regiment inserted. I suspect that this is a later change and not made in Victorian times. The sword had probably become distressed by being left and it has been chromed. Original swords were, of course, nickel plated. Chrome can be removed and it would be better if the original nickel was polished. Apart from these points the sword seems to be in fair condition and is certainly worth restoration. Keep it cleaned with a light gun oil. Out of interest the pattern was originally changed in 1845. Unfortunately, there is no way of proving a link to the original NSW Regt. - unless under the chroming there are markings or, names. The first time Australia sent troops overseas was to the Egyptian campaign which dates from 1882. I am not sure - without looking up refs. - which units were sent - however, it is nice to have your information. Interestingly, when I served my National Service back in 1953 we were trained by 1st Aust. Regt. - the Country only had two at that time - 1st and 2nd. After training I was attached to the Sydney 17th Light Anti-Aircraft Bn. - on Bofors. Mervyn

Flails are a rare weapon in the catalogue of items used by law enforcement over the past hundreds of years. They were usually carried by Governors of prisons - who might want to conceal a weapon - but, have it readily available in need. Being wood and metal the leverage action would be strong and it must have been a very dangerous deterrent. The Bludgeon was carried by both civilians and early Constables - even later and dating to the regular police in the 1850's. I had several where they had been painted and the words Police printed on. Again you have a lever action which increases the swing and the blow. Bludgeons were also used by criminals and gave rise to the expression - " to bludgeon" - or, cause severe injuries. The word is still in use today. Both of these weapons were intended to be carried in the pocket in the rear of the short tailed frock coat worn in the 1800's period. Mervyn