Mervyn Mitton

I think one of our Helmet experts needs to comment. I can make a line of writing out around the Royal Cypher 'VR', however, it is not clear. The questions that I would ask would be 1. why is the silver of the skull so rubbed and matt. 2. was it previously silver plated - or, even finished in gold plate. I think that it may well be confirmed as an original - but, let's wait for other opinions. Mervyn

Jeff - that's good info. on the Wartime acceptance of awards. Must make it a little easier for everyone reseaarching froom this period. Well done Mervyn

Who did you say the 'idiot' in the red trousers was - the Mayor ! He should be ashamed of himself. Nice Bentley..... Bristol is famous for two things which made it the rich City it has become. Firstly, it was a centre for the slave trade. The ships involved sailed - well, a lot of them did - from Bristol to West Africa. Their cargoes of trade goods would then be sold. Slaves were then put on board and the ship sailed for the West Indies or, the Americas. Slaves were offloaded and general cargo loaded for return to Bristol and for sale in Britain. The triangular route kept the ships - and their owners - profitable. The second thing that Bristol made it's reputation on was the manufacture of brass. The tipstaves for the City and the area around had long brass tops and usually a brass ball . Sometimes it would be an acorn if it was for a harbour master. Steve, next time you visit the museum I would appreciate a photo of the wording on the brass tipstave and also a few close-ups of the others. Include the detail tags and then we will have the history. Good visit. Mervyn

Well - that was one good post that brought replies. Anyone else have something of interest ? Mervyn

THE REVERSE http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2014/post-6209-0-26570400-1414060335.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2014/post-6209-0-72180200-1414060449.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2014/post-6209-0-55626700-1414060559.jpgclick

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2014/post-6209-0-90185500-1414059627.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2014/post-6209-0-52915600-1414059832.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2014/post-6209-0-97076200-1414059943.jpgclick This is a Master's or, Past Master's Jewel. Scottish Chapter and made in 9ct. gold. Full details of the holder are shown on the reverse - which follows. Dates from 1929 - he served in the Royal Horse Artillery in WW1. The place named is in the vicinity of Glasgow.

Nice early date - and you have his name - and probably, his team. Worth finding out a little about him ? Mervyn

What period would this be ? Strange how you have a Belgian cap - but, with British wording ...... Mervyn

It appearss to be narrower then the the pattern of today. However, I feel that it is probably for the 20th C. Mervyn

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2014/post-6209-0-01915400-1413982481.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2014/post-6209-0-53725800-1413982652.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2014/post-6209-0-40094300-1413982806.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_10_2014/post-6209-0-31121100-1413982926.jpgclick An interesting WW2 pair to a Constable of the Glasgow Police. The Defence Medal was issued for War Service and his Long Service and Good Conduct for either 25 years or, 30 years of unblemished service. Probably 30 years - they usually did this for a higher pension - perhaps Robin can help us with this ? Glasgow was always a very rough area and it is a fact that their truncheons were always heavier then anywhere else in Britain.............

School Cadet Corps and OTC's are very collectable fields - and not always easy to obtain. Keep looking for them and then you could mount and sell them as a collection ? Hope your studies are coming along well - time is always a problem, however, it is good when you can keep in touch. Mervyn

I will check to see if Xtender is still a member. Welcome to GMIC - do you have a particular interest in Gibson ? Mervyn

Jerry - how long have you been collecting. Not only impressive but full of information for other collectors. Mervyn (we have added a RECOMMENDED to the title.)

A most sought after medal , and thankyou for taking the time to post the newspaper report. Formal style of those days, but most interesting to 'feel' the pride these man had with their new medals. Mervyn

Interesting how they continued in use for so many years. When they were first used it was by the Austrians and the it became known as the Austrian Side Cap.

There must be a ceramics museum - drop them a picture and see what they say. Personally, if I were you, I would be searching them out and buying every one I could find. Curiosities like these have a habit of becoming very valuable. Nice post - thankyou. Mervyn

Mike - an incredible find - and a valuable one from the historical and the financial sides. Belfast was one of the later formal engagements - I thought Strathcona's had returned to Canada before Belfast ? I remember you telling me once before that they actually left later then I was thinking. For it's age I don't think the condition is bad - no more then you would expect for it's age and service. I'm sure it will have a prominent place in your collection. Mervyn

The pattern that Dave describes was also for the Metropolitan Police. The detachable collar was something that should have been banned under the international cruelty act. Try putting it together on Early Turn - with parade at 5.45a.m. The Met in about 1968/9 then changed to a drip-dry shirt with collar attached - same light blue. This lasted until about 1970 when we changed to white shirts with attached collars. This caused a bit of an outcry as white had been reserved for Inspectors and above. Never the less the change went through and we looked much smarter. Many - indeed most - of the Counties did not change and still wear the blue shirts. Blue or white we had epaulettes and twin front pockets with flaps - the left one having a sewn section on the right for pens. Although Dave mentions braces - and the trousers had the correct buttons I think most of us wore a belt. You couldn't take your tunic off - the braces lookes so untidy. 1949 was the first change to open collars and gradually restrictions were eased. Shirt sleeve Order was allowed to us in about 1968 , but the sleeves had to be rolled-up to an exact height. We used to use pieces of cardboard to measure. White shirts with SHORT ssleeves were issued from about 1971. I hope I remember these dates correctly. Mervyn

With the possibility of Turkey becoming involved + the other participants and combatants , I think the possibility must exist for a United Nations Award. This of course would be additional to individual Countries awards. Unfortunately, I think this battle is just getting underway - my news today said the IS were gaining ground and were very much in control of the situation. Death - theirs and innocent civilians - seems to mean very little to them. Every leader is saying the same thing - you cannot win a ground battle without troops on the ground , however, after early Iraq and Afghanistan no one seems at all anxious to commit troops. The Suez Canal and the oil lines cover large areas of land - let the IS make a breakthrough and we will see the probability of a World War. The last time the Canal was blocked was back in the early 1960's when Nasser sank ships. The blockade cut the West off from food and oil and since everything had to come via the Cape there were shortages. Think of this in terms of today's needs ? The Port of Capetown is quite large - but could never cope with the volume of shipping that would descend on it. Even in the 60's I can remember the pictures of hundreds of ships waiting to be bunkered. We should be taking action now - whilst we control where the fighting takes place. Not wait until it is on the shores of Europe. Mervyn

Strangely enough I like these very much. Naive style but, certain charm and humour in their appearance. Stuka, would these sell on market stalls or, in showrooms. What would be a rough valuation ? It would be nice if we could enlarge on this series - does anyone else have any examples ? Mervyn

War hammers were quite rare in use - the preferred weapon was the one with the axe. The most respected horsemen of the the 13/14th Centuries were the Polish - it was they who managed to turn the Turkish army back at the gates of Vienna. The period that war hammers were used was in the early medieval days - as Brian says they could inflict great damage on armoured knights. They were not really a British weapon - more in use in the middle European area. This one was made for wall decoration and probably is Victorian period. Mervyn

Well done - obviously a great work of research which will be of immense help to members - and indeed to collectors around the World. I like the fact that not only will the illustrations identify the Service Caps - they will also identify the correct badge. We have no objections to our own members giving details for direct sales - please either ask for an IM or, give your email. Mervyn You might also like to give a cross ref. on the Canadian Forum at bottom of this section.

Kevin - welcome to GMIC. That was a great response from our members and I hope it is of help to you. Mervyn

I know the feeling. Anyway I'm pleased everything is OK. The member's post is the 4 th one under this. Mervyn

That's an interesting point - I wonder if it was an early experimental one ? Have you actually spoken to anyone at the Imp. War Museum? Mervyn