Mervyn Mitton

Could it be a British or, U.S. aircraft cannon shell ? The projection from the back could be for tracer ? Our fighters certainly strafed those beaches - trying to explode mines. 20mm ? I agree about not touching it - when I lived in Poole in Dorset there was a nearby beach that US Marines had used as a training ground in WW2 - visitors would go for walks on the lovely sands and often picked-up shiny pebbles as souvenirs. Unfortunately it was often lumps of phosphorus and it only 'gleams' when wet. When it dried in their pockets or, bags it spontaneously burst into flames - and it cannot be extinguished. My motto - get others to pick these things-up........

Nice example of the dress sword , Peter. I found the photograph particularly interesting - one can see clearly the para-military backgrounf of the Force - they were smarter then most of the Regts. of the time. British Police sword patterns of the same period were totally different.

Peter - this is my example of the Lovell's - I was fortunate to buy it with the bayonet - which is far rarer than the carbine. Will probably send it to auction soon - it only sits in the flat study. The interesting thing with this carbine, is that following it's success with the RIC - it was also adopted for the Australian Police - and very unlikely with their proximity to the US - the first Canadian Mounted Police in 1873.

Bob - I don't think I've ever seen such a graphic and self explanatory badge as that for unexploded bombs !

A rare item - we rarely see any items from even the Boer War - they deteriorate so quickly. Issue khaki helmets sell for over £400.

He may have been attached to another unit for a while and appeared on their roll for awards - as well as his own unit. This was quite common for the QSA in the Boer War - where they moved around a lot. He certainly isn't entitled to two ribbons and it is totally mis-placed on the bar.

Nearly 3 months since our last post on Australia ! That will never do - we have too much to talk about. This little item came-in with a box of badges and I find it not only interesting - but, also very poignant. His name was Larkin and it looks like Benoni - which is in Sth. Africa ? - might follow that. There is also some scratching under his name , which I can't make out. This is a 'sweetheart' brooch - the question being, was the enamelled badge made specially for this - or, is it a mess dress collar ? Could be WW1 or, WW2 - what happened to him - did he survive - always things that I think about when I see these pieces. Every Country has them - see if we can find anything more about Pte (?) Larkin. Mervyn

Mike - the peeling of this chrome will affect the blade, and could continue to eventually leave quite a big area. Could you take a photo of the entire bayonet and then perhaps I can identify it for you and give you an indication on market value. Then you will know how much discount you can give.

Peter, I was only saying about our 1879 ball. I don't think we have reached a conclusion yet - for the gun , the bronze of the ball or, for age ? I wonder if Helen would have any examples in the Pitt-Rivers Museum ? Have you ever seen a bronze cast ball ? The one thought I did have was that bronze would be heavier then iron - could it 'possibly' have anything to do with a siege weapon - to beak down masonry ?

Peter - that period had so many disturbences - however, the date 1868 makes it almost certain to be the Irish troubles of that year. There are too many in existence.

Stuart - is your 9th Lancers a new acquisition - certainly a superb piece. I always wonder though, why they had to use that awful patent leather solution ? Even on this outstanding example you can still see a little bubbling on the peak. Is it possible to remove this and repaint with a more modern finish ? Is there a story with the Queen and swans ? All swans in Britain are in the ownership of the Queen and each year are counted in a ceremony called - ' swan upping '. I would have thought on this helmet they were from Aust. black swans ?

Ibrahim - I must say I greatly enjoyed studying these superb examples. The heavily blued and gilded workmanship on the blades has long been a German speciality. I also liked the daggers and WW2 swords set out so well. You must have had a very pleasant trip. Thankyou for putting these photos on - we don't see nearly enough from different museums. Mervyn

Peter - a few years ago we had a 68lb carronade shell brought-in. Dredged up from the Tugela River and from the Guard ship for the landings in the 1879 Zulu War. This had the lug on the side - to be replaced before fire. Two holes were in the top to screw it an and out with a special tool. People are always fascinated with old shell casings and it could have well been recovered from a far distant point - even brought back from overseas ?

Thankyou, Ian. The Crown has the shaped sides similar to QV - you know the dates better then I do. This means that it was most probably made to be sold as a paper weight - if it is part of the original die I will be surprised - they are usually destroyed or, put in a museum. Mervyn

These are the two remaining sets in these groups. The top one is to Pte. T.E.HUSBAND 5th SAI - Kaffrarian Rifles. Brother to W.J.M.Husband. The lower one is World War 2 - J.C.Hurfors - probably the son of T.G.Hurford. 39/45 Star; Africa Star; War Medal;Africa Medal.

This is the four flap, laminated cardboard case for the Memorial Plaque. Very often they are separated from the plaque.

This is always a rare and interesting group - being a Killed in Action. He was Colour Sergeant W.J.M.HUSBAND - 5th S.A. Infantry - KAFFRARIAN RIFLES. The Star will be for South West Africa War and Victory - East Africa or, France - we are still researching. MERITORIOUS MEDAL - Sgt. W.J.M.HUSBAND MEMORIAL PLAQUE - WILLIAM JAMES MILLER HUSBAND

This first group is the most varied - and covers four separate campaigns. He was a Corporal at his highest rank - and varied from Trooper to Private - depending on the unit. I will list the medals - starting from the right and will then show the reverse. RHODESIA 1896 - he was part of a special force of 850 men, raised in S.A. and sent to assist settlers in the 1896 rebellion in Rhodesia. CAPE OF GOOD HOPE G.S.M. He served with the Kimberley Rifles in Bechuanaland 1896/7. QUEEN'S SOUTH AFRICA MEDAL - three bars Defence of Kimberley; OFS;TVL. Kimberley Volunteer Regt. KING'S SOUTH AFRICA MEDAL. 1901 and 1902 Bars. 1914 -19 & VICTORY MEDAL C.C.C & 3rd South African Horse. (CCC was probably the Cape Cyclist Corps - only about 60 men) MAYOR's SIEGE MEDAL - late issue hall marked 1904. Issued for being in Defence of Kimberley.

This unusual board has medals to both Grandfathers and one of their brothers and a son. Starting in 1896 , they go through to the 2nd. World War. I will show each group separately, however, they all served in the famous Sth. African Regiment - The Kaffrarian Rifles - based in East London in the Eastern Cape. The white 'padding' on the death plaque is to prevent rubbing on the bronze.

Tony - welcome to GMIC. Shangahai Girl does not seem to have been 'on' since early January. Hopefully, she will return - meanwhile, we hope that you will put your photographs and items on the thread - they will be of great interest. Mervyn