Mervyn Mitton

O.....K , Will. If we knew where Napanee was you could expect a 'visit' from the station heavy ! Seriously though, I don't think this affects the comments about if it is a rank or, a manufacturer. The important question is - are we talking about the Peterborough in the UK - or, is there another one in Canada ? The style is very Victorian and it looks to be oak - do you have oaks in Canada ? Strangely enough, this is a good talking point for a subject Brian raised on another sub-forum. It concerned the maintaining and integrity of old items so that they did not become distorted over time. Please don't think I'm being critical - that isn't what GMIC is about - but it does clearly show what Brian was concerned about. Should your newly made plaque ever go on sale without the provenance of it's history, then everyone would assume it was a retirement gift. So, we must now reconsider with the new info. ? Mervyn

Paul - you are very fortunate to have acquired a collection of this size - and without a big cash outlay. The bullion badges are always sought after and when you have the different styles for the Air Corps, then you start to 'talk' money. I can't give you prices for Canadian items - however, our Sth. African Police air and helicopter badges are selling for about US $80-100. I will look forward to seeing the uniforms - do any go back to the NWMP - then you will have a valuable item ? Good to see these - the Canadian members will be interested.

I see that it mentions King George - so, may have been for the Coronation in 1911 ?

This is an exceptionally rare little item and I have never seen one prior to this. Based on a trench periscope of the type used at the Siege of Mafeking during the Boer War - they have called this a Hyposcope. I expect periscopes , of some type, must have been in use for many years prior to this date of 1900 - however, the idea of making them small was to be put to good use in the trenches during World War 1 (1914-18). This is not the type used at Mafeking - which would have been bigger and have been made in the local workshops. This is a tin type with silk screened lettering and would have been sold to the crowds at the Coronation Procession of King Edward 7th. in 1902. They still make and sell these at State occasions in London - but nowdays, they are of cardboard. The principle - of course - is two mirrors on opposing sides which reflect the image from the top to the bottom and in the process give added height to the viewer to see over the heads of crowds. Although a little worn from age, it is still a rare and interesting piece and over 108 years old. Remeber if it is a little small - Hugh's advice - Ctrl and + to enlarge. Ctrl and - to reduce.

When I first saw the helmet I was wondering which Country it was for. With the bulbous shape I was surprised to see it was British. I would think a private purchase and obviously for the old bi-planes - so, 1920's or 30's. Christies are the top hat makers in the UK and apart from officer's hats - also supplied to civilians. A nice old item and with the original goggles quite valuable - I would think in the region of £200 (360$) - perhaps more - they are collectible. Thankyou Tomas - like Simon I was getting bored with nothing new under Aviation.

Yes - not a word we use today - pre and post are more usual. Still Brian - you didn't have to support Mike quite so quickly....... You're also (again ! ) right about Fred Flintstone - one of my favourite cartoons - along with Tom and Jerry ! He and Barney used to wear those fur hats with horns.

Brian - old age and 'loss' of memory is nothing to be ashamed of - now, who did you say you were ? Simon, I did say in reply to Leigh that it may well be for one of the multitude of small Forces that Canada has. The truncheon has the look and style of a Victorian one - and yes - they did make individual stamps for truncheons. All part of the mentality that numbered the early police. Perhaps Brian - and any one else in Canada could try a few enquiries. p.s. Did you know that the old - plain - wooden truncheons are selling now for between £25 and £40 ( $40/60

Good subject - the past disappears so quickly and who will remember all of this in twenty years time. The slogan for the Society for the Preservation of Militaria - who are now S.A.'s only militaria club - is - 'Preserving the Past for the Future'. That's our 'job' as well.... I have a question on the chevrons - didn't the Medics also have a red background ? I have a collector looking for corporals chevrons to medics - if anyone can help ? A suggestion - we all know it's not possible to show pictures of every item of equipment - but with the shop stock to help - how about we add to this thread and try to show as many badges and uniforms as possible ? I would think in order for it not to be confusing that we should have separate threads or, postings for each set of units equipment and badges. What do you all think - it would have to be a joint effort from all of us - but when it was finished there would be a comprehensive listing - and of items that don't always make it into ref. book like Col. Dudley Wall's or, Colin Owens. ** Have just seen your post Chris - great minds think alike ! I didn't realise this was started in 2007 - is David still a member, I don't recall seeing posts ?

Wonderful - we all look forward to something new. We will all help you where we can - and that includes you, Shanghaigirl... With photographs - if you can email them to me I will upload - I did this for someone the other day on Zulu Spears. You could also send by post. Best wishes Mervyn

Leigh - I'm still more in favour of it being his name and job. Perhaps they all had their truncheons stamped for identity ? The word Saddler is very specific - and would have been an important job - perhaps it was a rank ? We are thinking RCMP - but perhaps it was one of the Provincial or Town Forces ? I wonder if there are any records of this name as a manufacturer ? The other thing to remember is that there are precedents for naming truncheons - many British ones had name, rank and number. What do you think ?

Hi. I would say that the one I show is the original nickel blade. A little corrosion around the guard - happens with getting wet and not cleaning - 'bad batman !' I don't think chrome existed as far back as the 1880's - however many firms used silver plating as the officers liked the gleam. Looking at yours Will, it appears that at the end the plate has worn off - common with putting wet swords back into the scabbard without wiping. The base metal would not be brass - so, the gold appearance could be from it being dipped in gold to disguise the damage. I am only surmising on this - I would like to hear Jonathan's opinion - and also Mr. Wilkinson-Latham, whose book on swords you should buy. Jonathan - would you ask him (RWL that is ) if the Crown remained the same throughout the life of this pattern of Rifles sword ? Mervyn

The word I find strange in their title is - Antedeluvian. It literally means - 'after the flood' ?

Hard to know where to post this set of Royal Antedeluvian Order of Buffaloes set of insignia. I know that they were loosely based on the Masons and seem to have also used similar insignia. Most of the larger badges are hallmarked silver - gilt. Any help on the Ranks - and perhaps a guide to value - would be gratefully received. (To enlarge - Ctrl and + to decrease - Ctrl and - )

Kevin - thankyou for that info.. You wouldn't have contact details for him ? I hate ebay (even though the shop has a reg. address - 'Africa 1') I like the look of his book cover - but need to have 'words' about truncheon. I'm sure he wouldn't have used it if it wasn't Scottish - however, the portcullis was always Westminster in London. Some of his badges I have never seen .

This has been a very interesting thread - about an area and Unit that seems to have been overlooked for it's early history. We have another new member 'Shanghaigirl' who has been posting on some of the early trading settlements along the China Coast - 1314 - do you have any info. on these settlements - it would be great if we could enlarge background on this area ? Nick - the reason I said 'you were very fortunate for the info.' is that many people ask for help on GMIC - and more often then not, someone can help - but, not always and yours was a difficult question. Don't disappear on us now - even if you don't collect it is nice to 'chat' with informed people.

If it is the manufacturer, then why is there a presentation plaque ? Contact the RCMP Museum - they could look up the roll.

Neville - under the previous post I took the opportunity to say Welcome to GMIC - we are getting a lot of Sth. Africans joining now and should be ready for a coup by the end of the year ...... There is a very good thread on WO's Class 1 and 2 under British and Commonwealth. I think they would probably be interested in some of your collection. Mervyn

Leigh - how quickly we forget all of these incidents and events. I - for one - am grateful that you take the time to post them. Like most police of that time , we were all involved in some way. Even you - in 'distant' Cambridge ! (I can imagine you on night duty - going round taking these posters off for your collection... Tynesideirish didn't agree that these are going to be valuable - perhaps the recession has put a hold on things at present - however, give it a few years for things to settle down in Ireland and these will be very sought after for collections.

Hi - Noor. A nice QSA and the Manchester's are always a sought after unit. A few points that might be of interest with the bars. There are three types - Province Bars - which show in which Provinces (or, States) the man served-in. Date Bars - Showing in which years the man served after the Death of Queen Victoria. Finally - and the most important, Battle Bars. These show the engagements that he fought in -they were strictly controlled and only the War Department could decide if an action warranted a bar - or, clasp. All clasps are worn in the order of his service and they start at the bottom and work up-wards. You have one good Battle clasp on this medal - Wittebergen (White Mountain). Whilst not a big battle , it was important - part of the advance from Johannesburg to the North East. Look it up on Google.

Kevin - I would also like to say welcome to GMIC. I have never heard of this book - when was it published and do you know if it is still available ?

Neville - welcome to GMIC. That's a very interesting award you have posted and certainly seems to be rare. I have some friends who were based at Salisbury Island in Durban - will ask them if they have ever seen one. Norman will have to re-write his book now ??

Thanks, Jonathan. Could well be a Wyatt's - looks the same as your example. The frog makes it difficult to see if there is a name and I don't like forcing the leather - like me ' rather set after so many years'. I didn't know that the service scabbard was so early. I had always been under the impression that they were Boer War period. I bought a very nice South African Police - officers' sword - from a friend in Capetown. After 1964 Britain stopped supplying swords to S.A. and they turned to Solingen in Germany. Not a patch on the British ones - although the Police were much better then the Army ones. I will post it in a week or so, hopefully someone else will put something-on ? We haven't even had any good bayonets for ages.

Jonathan , you are -for sure - our man to 'go to' for information. Thank you very much for taking the trouble to identify the firm and for the dates. Since he is wearing the sword in the painting it could be pre-1892 or, for the period up to 1899 - explains why he isn't wearing the medals. Your research for your swords, is in far more detail - but for us - it is good to know this much about him. Do you have anything new in the horizon ? Mervyn