Mervyn Mitton

UK Border Agency - what was wrong with the old Immigration Officers ? Also, so many units are now being re-uniformed - makes it hard to tell them from municipal workers. Basically, they have gone from a comfortable cap, that had padding , to a baseball cap that requires an inner plastic dome for protection. I ask you - is that progress ?

Hi Dutypiper. Why do you say it is an officer's of the A & S ? I think you are in the right period - before and after WW2. However the instruction sheet at bottom right incl. the small accessories, are for a Rolls Razor. This looked like a large safety razor - the big difference was that it came with a strop or, strap which could be fitted into the razor for sharpening. They were expensive to buy and are still sought after. The cut throat razor has a history over many years - a gentleman would have a set of 7 - often each one showing a different day. His valet or Batman would then know to use them in the right order to prevent excessive wear. Mervyn

Thankyou for your comments - and you are very welcome to GMIC. Are you serving in Germany ? Should you be able to tell us any more about the Dirk - who exactly wore-it - were there certain ceremonies that it would be worn ? We are always interested in the history of items and sometimes it takes a serving - or retired - person to tell us. Mervyn

One of the more important ceremonies for the Zulus has been the Reed Dance. It was allowed to fall away, but the present King brought it back and each year up to 30,000 girls take part. The purpose is that the girls are showing they are still virgins - they wear traditional dress which leaves their tops bare. We have covered this in past posts - however, the King has just passed a new rule that from next year the girls must wear a sarong style covering which will conceal their breasts. So many tourists are being taken to see the ceremony that it has become quite unruly with men taking photos of the girls. As the King puts it - ' white perverts annoying the girls'. The girls are saying they don't want this as it takes away from the ceremony - personally, with thousands of ill mannered tourists - who think it is being done for their benefit, I think it is a wise move.

Finally , we have these Zulu Warriors. They look to be a war band - all are mature men who have been awarded their Isikoko's (head rings made from their own hair) and have , therefore, been given wives by the King. There is no identification of the Impi. Hollywood has given us the impression that all Zulus are 2 metres tall with great physiques. This is not quite correct - there are big Zulus, but many are quite short and as you can see in the picture quite thin. Meat is a luxury and the common diet is Maize meal made into a porridge - called pap. They also eat another staple of corn on the cob - called Samp. These are incredible pictures - not only can we date the people, but also they give great detail of their dress. I hope further access will be given to the album. ps: looking again at the picture I see there are a number of different shields. The brown and white is the iDondlo Impi - who fought at Rorke's Drift. Altogether about 5 different Impis - this makes the probability of them being being captured and in British hands very high - in fact I think I can see British Bell Tents behind them ?

We have had numerous pictures on this site showing Sangomas of the Zulus. However, I think this picture shows them the best - not people I would want to meet on a dark night..............

This posed picture is actually dated for 1878 - however, it is incorrect in sevaral regards. Firstly, the spear is not Zulu. The only long ones that they used were for hunting dangerous game , and this is not strong enough. The other hand held weapons - Iwisas ,or knobkerries - only the round headed one is Zulu. The other points are that a Zulu warrior would have further sheepskins on the legs. I suppose when this was taken contact with the Zulus was minimal and they dressed him as they thought a warrior would look.

Recently a collection of pictures of Zululand from the 1879 period have been sold. The original owner had been a medical officer in the Zulu War and went onto be the Surgeon General for the Cape. The Daily Mail International have just shown a small part of the albums and I think you will find them of interest. This first one shows Prince Dubalamanzi - with his bodyguards - who you will note are carrying Martini Henry rifles, probably from the battle field of Isandlawana. The Prince was the half brother of the King - Cetywayo. He was quite the hot-head and when the attack on Isandlawana took place he was sent around the Mountain to stop retreating British. He was annoyed not to be in the fighting and took his three Impis across the Buffalo River to attack Rorke's Drift. Cetywayo had specifically given order not to cross the Buffalo. There is a famous Illustrated London full page drawing of him - on this shaggy pony - leading a band of men to attack a British position. Most of them are shown with Martini Henry's

Thankyou Mikehm - very comprehensive , I doubt if much more could be added to their foundation.

Great research Mike - well done. Mervyn

This brass cartridge pouch has a small label saying it was used in the Balkans Wars - and that it was for loose powder. This sounds a reasonable explanation and must make it - if the info. is correct - date back to the 17th or 18th centuries. The German War Bands were very active in Europe at that time. I haven't looked Balkans Campaigns up - however, I think it would be worthwhile to do so. Should it be for that period, then it was probably matchlocks in use - this would make this a very collectable item. Mervyn

From the china pin trays - the one with the Queen's head is a 1953 Coronation souvenir - probably by Wedgewood. Mervyn

Greg , excellent that your very complete Polish collection has been brought back to the top. Such a detailed set of uniforms and equipment must be a great source of reference for collectors and you must get many calls for help. Please continue to up-date on this Forum. Best wishes Mervyn

Pat - welcome to GMIC. This would have been better as a post on the British Forum - Medals. More people would see it and there are many of the members who enjoy research. I would suggest you repost - with any pictures - and when you have done this, I will delete this one. Best wishes Mervyn

Nightbreak - wonderful. This truncheon has worried me since I first found trace of it. This was carried by the Beadle or, perhaps the Camp Constable of the Bytown Military Base - the largest British Camp in Canada at that time. For a time scale we must look at the truncheon - clearly marked for King William 4th (1830-37) and carrying his slab sided Crown. This was a Civilian appointment and his job was to maintain order amongst the civilian 'hangers-on' - of whom there were probably a few thousand. The truncheon is very reminiscent of the Special Constables' truncheon in use in Britain at that time. The probability is that it was made in Canada at the time of the appointment - and to my knowledge is the only one of it's kind. This period is only some 20 years after the 1812 War with the USA - so, Britain maintained a large Force in Canada. Thankyou for taking the trouble to track it down - I shall look forward to any other info. you can dig-up. Mervyn

Gerald - the banquet is quite well known and I have seen photos of the surviving members - however, I have never seen this Cross. The inscription of J. E. Mitchell and the word STEWARD would indicate to me, that he was probably an office bearer with-in the Association. I somehow doubt that they would give silver crosses to the staff. However, you never really know about these things. Cannon Lumis wrote the definitive book on the chargers and I have always found it useful. One of my greatest regrets is allowing a collector to persuade me to part with my Charger group. Mervyn

Thankyou for that information Dan - and welcome to GMIC. Mervyn

Stuka - some good early material. Notice how the centre of the boot one is made to look like medals. Your two really collectable ones are the flare pistols. Are the British or German - looking at them, I think the big one is probabaly British - perhaps a Webley ? Certainly a good day out. Mervyn

If you have the chance to buy - do so. The painting looks very interesting and requires some research - particularly the building. Mervyn

Nightbreak - I think you have acquired a very nice - and collectable piece. Just to set the record straight - this is not a long staff. These were usually over 5feet long (150cm) and were carried by constables prior to about 1780. After, shorter staves and then truncheons came into use. What you have here is a ceremonial staff for one of the Scottish towns that had High Constables. These included Edinburgh , Perth, Leith and also, the Palace of Hollyrood House , in Edinburgh. I have found it very difficult to actually see detail on the photos - perhaps have another go - or, a rough drawing ? My feeling is that this could be an old staff for Hollyrood House - which is the Royal Palace when visits to Scotland are made. Mervyn

Never mind - I enjoyed re-reading last year's detailed post - you did us proud with that one. One point I overlooked - the mention of being at arms length to keep the tip of a tipstave from touching the Mayor. With conflicting politics in those early days, the Opposition could lay charges and in so doing, prevent the Mayor and Council from doing their appointed duties. One touch from the tipstaff and the person being arrested got 7 years transportation if he resisted.

A very nice find - as you say will set you up for a long time. Mind you if you keep collecting uniforms........... Mervyn

Probably best left alone as it is in your collection - and a lovely set to have. Seems to have a gold sheen - do you think it is plated or, 9ct? Chris : do you still have your presentation watch - I think it has probably gone-up in value over the last few years - the Boer War seems to have resurrected itself and there is definetly more interest now then in 1999. Perhaps people are looking back from the World War. The one thing we all have is a watch of some sort - Chris and Stuart have shown very good examples - what do you have ? Mervyn

Nice thought Stuart - I tend to rather say more then I should. Brian is the right person - he strikes a nice balance of humour and fact - and as this present blog has shown , the membership does wish to join-in on serious matters of history. Well us present 5 do ! I must mention it on the Lounge and let others have a chance to comment. Mervyn

Brian - would it be possible to show some of the less valuable stones ? Mervyn