Mervyn Mitton

SUNDAY 2nd. August 2015 This post ran into some problems during the changeover. Over the next week I will add some new material - please ignore the dates in the title.

Mike - a nice collection - with some interesting badges. Your two rarest are probably the ones with the silvered numerals in the centre of the plates. Nice to see you have one of the old police box keys with the whistle -- that was the same as mine. Keep collecting the older ones get rarer all the time. Mervyn

Adhple - welcome to GMIC. Thank you most sincerely for the extra info. on Poole - most welcome. What is your connection with Poole ? Mervyn

Mike - you had forgotten to press the + sign on the lower picture that appears. This prints it. Mervyn

Mike - there has to be a possibility that this is one of the very early pattern - where the handle folded flat. In the 1st WW the Police themselves used these rattles to warn of Zeppelin and gas attacks. The army used them for the same purpose in the trenches and I expect this was requisitioned and overstamped with the Broad Arrow of the Board of Ordinance. Both are rare pieces and amazing to find them in Alaska. I watch a TV series each week on building log huts in Alaska. However, unless I'm guaranteed gold in my garden I shall stay in the warm. Mervyn

Zeb - you're a 'busy' young chap - I think I'll just wait and watch on Tv........... Mervyn

Robin - a lovely addition to any collection. Mervyn

Bernard - as Paul says ' a nice contemporary medal'. you must remember that mess dress and mins. were not worn by ordinary ranks. However, they were worn at some of the special reunions in later years. Mervyn

'Eameat' . Welcome to GMIC and our thanks to you - and your Father - for adding the video footage. A fantastic event - and one that will be remembered for years to come. Mervyn

Sorry for the delay - I forgot all about it..... The same pattern of Tipstaff - but with 17 ebony hand rings was used for showing authority by the Tipstaff. For extra cost there was a version with ivory rings - this was intended for senior officers and magistrates. They are quite rare and you should keep it in your collection. The three sets of castles are the arms for Newcastle on Tyne and this tipstaff would have been the Chief Constable or, his Deputy. Mervyn

Police have very good catering and 'bathroom' breaks built into the schedule . Refreshment vans have always been available to public events when I was on duty. Some little distance back - on this section is interesting cover on Queen Victoria's chaotic funeral. She had lived for so long, that no-one alive had ever taken part in a Sovereign's funeral. Mervyn

Mike - you have two genuine and original rattles. The larger one - that would have had a turning knob, was carried from 1661 and was part of the original equipment for King Charles 2nd's reformed Night Watch. They did of course, have their origins in being bird scarers. They were in use until the 1870"s The smaller version is early Police - carried in the tail coat pocket of the frock coat - worn after 1829. Although this one is probably County and post 1838. Please let me know what the carved initials are . The inset lead weights show it's origins. Early police preferred to hit prisoners with the weighted end - and when the were withdrawn in the 1880's for whistles there was a lot of arguement. Mervyn

This of course was the Commemorative Review to celebrate 25th Jubilee of King George 5th. in 1935. Not a common photo and definetly one for the archives. I do wonder if Scotland Yard have a copy. To get so many Police on parade was a major undertaking and has happened very infrequently. Mervyn

Hi Mike - welcome to GMIC. Your rear image didn't print - please have another 'go'. Mervyn

Colonial Colonel - welcome to GMIC . We shall look forward to your participation. Mervyn

This is a composite of some sort - and I have reservations that it is genuine. The rest of the 'furniture ' is in the correct brass - but, the staybrite............. Apart from anything else , isn't it showing a Kings Crown - why out of period ? Mervyn

Jerry - nice to see you back on the Forum after being MIA. Hope all is well ? Mervyn

I would start by writing to the Imperial War Museum - their address will be on the net. You must include a photo. Also you could write to Christie's Auction House in London. Let us know how you get-on. Mervyn

Michael - I can't remember if we welcomed you to GMIC - but you are very welcome. I've always found the shear number of shooting and athletic medallions quite confusing - gold and silver they never seemed to stop producing them. Some are indeed very collectable and I would put this one for heavy ships' guns right at the top. What you are showing , of course is the standard medallion given to crews - I wonder what the main trophy would have looked like - and where it is today ? Mervyn

Sarah - welcome to GMIC. Yes, he could have been recruited as a Boy Soldier.. Go back on this Forum and you will find Leigh Kitchen did an interesting post on the subject. This was an honourable career for a young man - hopefully, one of our researchers will be able to help you with some details of his career. Mervyn

Hi Peter - welcome to GMIC. There has to be a possibility that they are British Artillery ceremonial stirrups - there is a 'flaming grenade' at the top. However, many Countries also used this and they are 'flash' enough to be Italian. Did you buy them in Israel ? If I'm wrong I'm sure another member will tell us. Mervyn

Paul - I would still think there is a link with the Suakin campaign - maybe they set-up a branch to act as an old comrades assoc. ? Mervyn

Mike - glad you spotted this as Italian - my mind was on the British connection. Tim, your Grandfather probably took this from a POW - these gilt badges were very collectible. Mervyn

Hippy - the definitive book on British Army swords is by Brian Robson and has the title Swords of the British Army . Your sword is shown with both hilts intact and far from being a load of 'old rubbish' it turns out to be the 2nd rarest pattern sword in the British Army. With full acknowledgements to Mr. Robson I am showing his picture and short write-up. Despite it's condition your sword is obviously quite rare as an example. Before doing anything to it, take advice. The write-up that goes in the book with the picture : If this is the 2nd rarest pattern , then the rarest is the Mountain Artillery sword. I have had several in the shop, but they are certainly rare - and valuable. For reference I thought I would also show Mr Robson's photo and write-up.

Interesting points , Brian. Although you could have really confused us by adding metric weights. However, I will totally agree with you on Elephants - one of my favourite creatures - but a Cow can weigh over 3 tons and a big bull , up to 6 tons. I have always, therefore, tried to avoid being stood on by one of them ......... You certainly keep us thinking with your variety of subjects. Mervyn