Mervyn Mitton

Selwyn - I know you have been a member for some time - however, this is your first post and I would like to wish you a warm welcome to GMIC. We will look forward to hearing further from you in time. Mervvyn

Lovely condition. You need to research him to find date of award - could be Edward 7th - George 5th or, George 6th. Contact- spinks.com - who should be able to help with ribbon and a box. Mervyn

The usual requirements are 20 years service - with War service counting double. He does seem to have had a number of breaks of service - and also of changes of unit. Not sure if this would affect the award - worth getting some advice .

Greg - I didn't think any Communist movement still existed in the US - I thought McCarthy purged everything ? South Africa has a very strong black communist party - they are in partnership with the ANC and are presently having some serious 'partnership' fights. The communist movement died in the UK in the period after the war when the last communist MP died. He was only there because his electorate were fond of him. The Labour party suddenly inherited all of the far left MP's and they are still running the place. I remember years ago, talking to a friend in the Met. Special Branch. He said the experts knew that the left wing had given themselves three generations to take over teachers - and through them the schools and universities. I would say that their plans have been fairly succesful. In fact, I would say that at present it is a race to see which group of extremists can destroy the Country first.

I see a lot of swords - however, for me, this is one of the most attractive of the British Dress Swords. Perhaps it is the unique design - perhaps it is the impact of the gold - it just seems to 'jump' out at you. The price to buy one is well over a thousand pounds ($1600) - but it would prove to be the centrepiece for most collections. ps. I see people on Facebook have been following my mistakes this afternoon. I would like to give an invitation to join - gmic.co.uk - the World's leading militaria forum. Mervyn http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2012/post-6209-0-94610100-1336141264.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

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One of the least seen officers' swords is the pattern for the RAF. Possibly because they don't have so many occasions for ceremonial parades ? The RAF were created in1918 from the Royal Flying Corps and the pattern for the sword was established at the same time. Quite different to military swords - it is covered with 22 ct. gold and the bowl guard has a different design for the hole patterns. The guard has in addition to the Royal Cypher, a lovely panel with the RAF Eagle. This one was made by Wilkinsons and is for Queen Elizabeth - therefore within the range of 1952 - 2012. Wilkinson have now been sold and the dies sold to small companies prepared to make their own swords. I am afraid from the examples I have seen that an original one from Wilkinson is the one to look for. I will show a number of different views. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2012/post-6209-0-03766800-1336139726.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

Will - I would have thought West Africa must be a possibility. They are skilled in this basket weaving and the materials grow locally. They are ideal for general crowd control - providing your rioters don't have firearms.

Tunic looks smart with the buttons. You need a Divisional number to go on the outseides of the collar numerals. Mervyn

Thankyou Dave for starting such a good thread. This Forum is starting to get replies - but not the detail we would like to attract. I have heard about US classrings for many years - and have always assumed that they would be something made a little on the 'cheap' side because of numbers. I am obviously quite wrong and would encourage members to post examples. I will make a short entry on one of the side bars to alert people. With the British - older men can often be found wearing Masonic rings and it is traditional for a young man to be given a gold signet ring on his 21 st. Birthday. This is worn on the small finger of the RIGHT hand in order to press it into wax - hence a signet ring. You will see a good example of this on Prince Charles. Dave you have specifically aimed the post for the US class rings - and I think there is a lot of interest for the future. Perhaps - at some point - you would like to make a further post covering World rings of a personal interest ? Mervyn

Paul - to find them you need a good metal detector - and an even better digger. Perhaps your wife will 'volunteer' as she likes gardening ? Mervyn

Peter - a lovely badge with attractive enamelling. Was there a reason you have put it under Canada ? What period does it date from. During WW2 Canada had special units to ferry aircraft across to Britain - however, the group I have has Canadian insignia. Mervyn

Steve - very sorry to hear you have been unwell - trust that things are now sorted ? Is this a general teaser - or, are you starting the short pictorial competition ? I will certainly find a few prizes to make-it interesting. Mervyn

Not everything can be effectively carried out by amateurs. I see a lot of silver in the shop that has been damaged by people trying to rub off worn gilding. The hard rubbing damages patterns in the silver and remains of the gilt always seem to get left behind. Jewellers do not always work in gilt and my advice is to locate a good silversmith.

Brian a very interesting example of why the tipstaff is so important in British history. Only just over 2000 are known to exist and some of them are very valuable. Basically though - they were necessary for the carrier to be able to use his powers from the Crown. I'm sorry Gentlemen - but, would it really take so much time to thank Brian for this long post ? I know how many police and specials we have as members on this Forum and the numbers are not great - all the more reason to support each other. After all - the Police as a working community are closer - in most cases - then the armed forces.

Lee (is that your first name or just the avatar ?) - your posts are welcome on the Forum and we will hope you keep your interest going. You have made some good observations and with regard to the Middle East and Afghanistan our participation is an ongoing mystery. This is actually our fourth foray into Afghanistan - 1840's - 1879/80's - 1919 and 1920's - and we effectively lost all of them . However, we are going off topic - which is the Aden campaign. Mervyn

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These photos will show the two shakoes together. The Cameronians has the Egret plume. During the 19th C and into the early 29th C. there was great demand for these feathers from both the military and from costumiers. They were dyed to many different colours as originally they are white. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_04_2012/post-6209-0-12720700-1335789979.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE