Mervyn Mitton

Bob - I think Les was quite right to point out that the Russian Unit is probably not a Police one - however, they were all basically serving as peace keepers and performing police duties of keeping good order and separating the opposing forces. My enamel shoulder patch for Namibia falls under the same criteria - in all probability the Danes were troops. I hope someone who was there at the time will pick-up on this and be able to say what they did ? Certainly, I think you have put this in the right place for discussion. Mervyn

DEALING NOW WITH WEAPONRY CARRIED BY OFFICERS'. It must be remembered that in this period an officer was usually responsible for kitting himself out - at his cost. However, dress and weaponry regulations had to be followed. There were two main percussion revolvers available - the TRANTER and the ADAMS. Both were designed by Tranter. They fired a large slug - about .45 and had to be handloaded into the five chambers. The revolver had a special loading tool built-in one side. Detonation was by a percussion cap - and all five nipples required one as the gun fired each shot separately - unlike the older pepperbox. Loading was quite a long task and probably carried out by his servant (or, Batman). This meant that in battle you couldn't re-load very quickly. The officer would also carry the 1845 pattern Infantry officers' sword. Additionally, many officer's liked to carry a sword stick - this was ready for very quick action. I will deal with the swords in the next post.

Thankyou Les and Stuart. Yes, I probably do have a copy of this fine ref. book - I also find Dudley Wall's books on the different units, invaluable. However, with the volume of material that comes-in I don't have time to check every detail. This uniform had the various items that I listed - and that it is how it will be sold. Now, that I know the Summer uniform didn't use the canvas puttees they must have just been packed together - ah ! but were they ? These men were operating in very dense bush and thorn trees and bushes are prevalent all over Sthn. Africa. Perhaps he preferred the canvas ones to protect his legs from thorns - and , particularly snakes ? I know I would. Patch - what do you think ? ( Les - on a personal note - are you O.K. ? I will post some more hats soon.)

Andrew - I hope we can find a date for this Unit ? Looking at the Crown I would say 1840'/50's. King William 1V th used this pattern with the angular corners. The early part of Victoria's reign continued with it - however, eventually the angles became rounded - as can be seen on the large plate above.

Servicepub - do you mean Stuart ? You may have Nola hunt you down............

Andrew - I'm delighted to see you posting. I hope you will keep supporting us - your knowledge is valuable to all of our members. Here are the two Cape Prisons helmet plates - Queen Victoria Crown and Edward 7th. After that they became part of the S.A. Prisons Service. I have always understood that these plates were reserved for the main prison on Robben Island. For non Sth. Africans this is off the coast of Capetown and is forever in World memory for where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. There were of course other prisons in the Cape and I wonder if we can establish that these were only for Robben Island. I have had another problem with Windows 7 and will put the pictures on separately.

Thanks, Bob. I had no idea Russian Forces were in Bosnia. From the badge does that mean they were a para unit ?

Sorry - double post. Windows 7 seems to close if an email message pops-up. Then you are left with a double window - has anyone else experienced this ?

Thankyou Patch (first Name?) and welcome to GMIC. You are obviously exBSAP and it will be great if you give us some first hand experiences and also more details on dress. People often forget that a Forum such as GMIC is laying down a groundwork for future generations. Will collectors in 50 years time know that ankle webbing was not worn with the Summer uniform ? Doesn't seem important and yet we can go back 100/150 years and know exactly the dress code. Future generations will remember today's soldiers only wearing those awful camo sets. Mervyn

Stuart - I see that I said Somerset in my first reply. I've now corrected it to Devonshire. They are all so close to each other it is easy to confuse - something I do well these days......

Lorenzo - is it still an operational base ? Your picture on 642 - I think it's showing mouth to mouth rescusitation - but are we certain ??

Stuart - thankyou for the correct date - Charles died in 1673 and I thought it was closer. I'm pretty sure that it it was his daughter that the Princess Royal refers to. George 3rd. only came to the throne in 1760. Cavendish was the family name of the Earl and later Duke. For comparison this is my 7th - much more elaborate plate.

Lorenzo - please post them on either 'What do you drive ?' or. Group Photos - both on the Lounge. Mervyn

Sara - I don't think Ed Heynes comes to the Forum very often. I will ask Brian Wolfe to contact you with his contact details. Best wishes and welcome to the Forum.

Hi - Kev , welcome to GMIC. Yes, 7th Dragoon Guards - The Princess Royal's Own. They were formed - I think in 1673 after the death of King Charles 2nd. His Daughter was fleeing to York - pursued by James 2nd's troops as he wanted to detain her. The Earl of Devonshire came to her assistance. When Queen Mary and King William ascended the Throne - our only joint Monarchs - one of their first Acts was to create The Earl a Duke and allowed him to have his own Regiment of cavalry - the 7th. Dragoons. They are of course heavy cavalry and the officers wear gold plated helmets to be seen in the heavy dust of battle. I will let one of our expert helmet collectors give you the details on your helmet - however, I have an earlier version in the shop which is on sale for about stg. 1500 pounds.

Hi - Lorenzo , pleased to see you are well and not letting work get-in the way of collecting.......... Actually, we have missed you - seems to have been very quiet ! Your lantern is /or, was - a railway signalling lamp and originally would have had green and red glass that could be turned for signalling. That does not mean that the military may have used it for signalling danger to convoys. Haven't you found anything Police for our World Police sub-Forum ? Best wishes Mervyn p.s. - how about a picture of your tank for our 'What do you drive ?' section on the Lounge ?

Darrell - I would agree with your price for outside of the UK. Perhaps in London - about stg. 350-400 with box.

Great - let's see a picture of them - they sound interesting.

Alf - I have never seen this Cape of Goodhope Convict Police badge - it must be very rare. I have the two later - and larger plates and will post them soon. However, perhaps someone can add to our knowledge on this one ? The Orange River Colony prisons was introduced following the Boer War - lasted for just a few years. Will do some research and add to your thread. I think Prisons is a good - but, neglected subject. In the absence of it's own sub-Forum, we could do some posts either under Brit. Police - or, Worldwide.

Dan - firstly, my congratulations on your marriage and the birth of your son. I can understand your collection taking third place ! Now, I have a question on this first 'sweetheart' brooch you show. Is it one ? Firstly, it is for a Belgian town - Ypres. I would have said that it was perhaps a town badge - later converted and given as a keepsake - however, it doesn't follow the usual pattern of showing a miltary background badge. Did you mount it on the green baize and wood background ? What do you think - and in no way do my comments detract from what is an attractive piece. Mervyn