Mervyn Mitton

Odulf - what an interesting item - I have never heard of it before and thankyou for posting. My first thoughts were Viking or, Angle in origin. However, it is not a helmet - even with what were probably two horns. Probably represents a Crown - perhaps a Chief or Princeling. What age is put on the carving - and also, was it done much later ? Mervyn

Norman - when you have the time, please do so. We can always learn from others expertise. When I first opened the shop - 25 years ago, we had endless stamp albums being brought in for valuation and usually hoping to sell. They usually dated from the 20's and 30's and in the absence of TV, computers and cell phones the families had obviously encouraged their children to collect. I think this is why the older generation have a greater general knowledge then modern youngsters - or, am I wrong to think this - opinions please ? The other thing that Norman will probably remember, is that during the years of the old Govt. (pre1994) business people who needed to travel would carry valuable stamps in their wallets. With travel money being very limited, it was a way to carry a form of money - without the Customs really knowing what it was. Even today, I still know people who carry stamps worth up to 10,000 pounds US$16,000. Mervyn ps. They also carried medals and officers' silver badges. All easily sold overseas.

We get blase very quickly. I would have thought 185 years of the Metropolitan Police would have extracted a few comments. They set the example for Forces all around the World - let alone in Britain - and wiithout their being formed Heaven alone knows what would exist today. Mervyn QUESTION FOR TODAY : What form of Policing do you think would have evolved had the Met. not been created ? Consider this on a World basis AND for your own Country.

Well done everone - as Irish Gunner says - a good subject that had heads 'scratching'. Karl, being so complete be careful should you decide to sell. The rank has to be a rare one and I think you might be surprised at the value. Keep it in one of those moth proof hanging bags for suits and uniforms and don't let people keep handling it - at approx. 100 years old it needs to be handled carefully. (Gee - at my age that sounds like me - but not the bag - please !) Keep looking for things and post on GMIC. Mervyn

Norman - nice to see you back - I hope everything is OK ? Stamps have never really featured on the Forum - however, this is certainly the right forum for some posts. I hope you will put on some of your collection . Mervyn

Brian - you've brightened up my morning in a way you will never appreciate ! The maid is dying of a cough - 5 very loud Zulu workmen are attempting to re-mount my big front gate ,after the weight caused the brickwork to crumble , the electricity is off , they keep blowing the fuses and it is bitterly cold , 66oF. and - my Dachsie puppy is under treatment for worms - probably picked-up from the marauding monkeys. So, to put it mildly this was not a good morning - until I read your blog - your sense of irony and an inner sense of humour are superb - keep them coming. Mervyn

Nice to see a follow-up to this very interesting post. Over the years some of our Members have moved-on - however, many will remember your posts. I am very hopeful that one of the research members will be able to take the story forward for you. Mervyn

Stuka (is this your first name ?) - old maps and globes are always interesting but are not rascist or,territorial. These are modern inventions .......... People of the day spoke as they thought and places like Africa were unknown and feared. Until Burton and Speke's expedition in the 1860's the central part of Africa was always shown as - 'unknown' , 'unexplored' etc. Very apt descriptions which are still applicable in many areas today. Early globes are decorative and collectable.. The problem with this one is that it looks as if the paper covering has been eaten - or, dusted away. The second problem that being printed in Flemish will limit the market. Must still be worth about 80 pounds. This is an excellent collecting and discussion field. MEMBERS - PLEASE POST ANYTHING WITH MAPS AND GLOBES. Mervyn

Jock - enamel signs are big business in the US. I've never quite understood the interest - they take-up so much space. Obviously German - but from what period ? This is a new subject for us - do any other members have collections of signs ? Mervyn

Rod - could you have a look at the NSW cap badge and give the Member some further info.? Hope you are keeping well and adding to the collection. Mervyn

K.Bandow (first name ?) - welcome to GMIC. You show a very fine example of an early Royal Field Artillery uniform - the 'T' above RFA is for the Territorial unit he was in - obviously tthis was in the London District. I am sure this will generate a lot of interest and responses from our members. Mervyn The ammunition bandolier for .303 is of the cavalry pattern and was in use during the Boer War.

It was different in Britain - if the aristocracy weren't annoying their subjects, then they were slaughtering anything on 4 legs - or 2 - that moved.

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_09_2014/post-6209-0-17350500-1412007504.jpgclick TODAY IS THE 185 th. ANNIVERSARY OF THE LONDON METROPOLITAN POLICE - THE FIRST PROPERLY SET-UP FORCE IN THE WORLD. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL SERVING MEMBERS - AND FOR ALL OF OUR RETIRED MEMBERS - STAY WITH US - YOUR EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE IS IMPORTANT.

Rick a surprising item - and Steve - a surprising answer. I didn't have a clue. Do you think the small size intended it for a military use - perhaps with horse harness ? These are the sorts of items that make good posts. Mervyn

Stuka f - I have up-dated our panel and included you as an advisor. There is a lot of material to provide answers and guidance for and I think with your knowledge you will be a great help. Thankyou for volunteering. Mervyn

A field of collecting that is followed all around the World where railroads existed. They are also a close link to British Police bulls-eye lanterns. Usually oil was the lighting substance, but certainly many carbide ones were in use. They are often found forgotten in old railway tunnels - so if you live near any - send an aged relative in to look ............... I hope other members will be able to add to your post. Mervyn

Stuka F - lovely buttons. They would either have been for different Hunt Clubs - or, more likely are part of the Coats of Arms of aristocratic hunters. Venery in English is really anything to do with the hunting of deer. Good post. Mervyn

Owen - again, a welcome back on this Forum. The silver candlestick makes a great introduction for you to give a history for General Sir Charles Bowles. He was an interesting person and his exploits make extraordinary reading. The gift would have been - from your dates, a few years after he joined the Queen's Household. Perhaps it was an anniversary - or, perhaps he complained about how dark the Palace was when he went to bed ? Certainly makes a good start to - hopefully - further articles from you. Mervyn

A lovely New South Wales , Australia - cap badge for King Edward 7th. 1901 - 1910. Possibly a lapel badge - depends on the size. The top expert on Australian Police equipment posts on our British Police Forum. Re-post this on that Forum and he will give you the full history. Mervyn

Welcome back Owen. A good gesture to donate the old - and rare - photos. I hope your address ref. will encourage members to visit. Mervyn

Mikehm - fascinating to follow your different posts - and your follow-up research at each point. Real Detective work. Mervyn

Jerry - thankyou for showing these spear heads - very nice examples. The first three are not Zulu and I suspect more from one of the tribes in the East African area - or, perhaps as far West as the Atlantic Coast. These heads would be for both hunting and fighting. Did they come with a provenance ? The single one is very similar to a Zulu head - and the cow's tail binding is also one of the three types they use. My only doubts are that there are no pincer marks showing at the base of the head. These are invariably there - however, it might just be that I have missed them. Looking again I think I can just make out an indentation - so, Zulu. With the head cut from the shaft this could indicate an early period - our troops used to bring back mainly the tops since they were limited to 5 feet in the kitbag. This is not an Iklwa - or fighting spear. Rather, with the longer shaft to the head it is an Isiphapha - or, throwing spear. Part of a warrior's main armament, they often carried two of these - one Iklwa and perhaps an Iwisa , or Knobkerrie. Best wishes Mervyn

Can any member give an answer to Jeff's question on the Air Force List - I don't think they do, probably have to be gazetted ? Mervyn

Named for J.R.Hemmings 1927-28. The medal is 9 ct. gold (.375) and was made in Birmingham. The Anchor is their proof mark. So, a piece with a reasonable value - weigh it and I will give you an approximate price. You have to allow for the enamel. Mervyn

piekenier - sometimes in the early days of joining you have to build-up a number of posts before photos. Have a look at the opening comments. If this doesn't sort out then please contact me. Mervyn