Mervyn Mitton

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

Frank - as Brett says, nice to see the new insignia - and it's links to the U K. Have you taken up modelling? Best wishes Mervyn

A nice gift, Ed. Queensland is not the largest Force and it makes a nice display to have the cufflinks and the pin. I like that the Motto is in English - very few people can read the Latin ones today. Mervyn

No - either they put the manufacturer's marks on - or, if it was a bulk order for the Ministry of Defence they obviously didn't bother. Still a nice sword and worth having the guard attended-to. Best wishes Mervyn

Chris - a brave man and as you say, to hold a medal with that history behind-it is quite amazing. Nice post. Mervyn

Stan - good that you have been able to complete the story - which I find quite amazing. People are often brave and resourceful in time of emergency - unfortunately the details are often lost or overlooked as time progresses. This is a fortunate case where his history aand background have come to the 'top'. Mervyn

From a private collection - or, perhaps he joined a regular unit during the war ?

OK - stop teasing - give us the details....................... Mervyn

The present King Goodwill Zwelethini re-commenced the very old Reed Dance, some 30 years ago. The entrants have to be virgins and take a long reed to present to the King. The ceremony is taken very seriously and older women supervise. When it was re-started 30 years ago, only about 100 girls took part. This year between 30 and 45,000 were present. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_09_2014/post-6209-0-74735100-1410705442.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_09_2014/post-6209-0-47099300-1410705957.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_09_2014/post-6209-0-41878100-1410706172.jpgclick

Sometimes Zulu's in traditional dress and performing old ceremonies are just as culturally interesting as their weaponry. For this reason I have been including some of these in this section. This first set of photos - from the local paper - shows the President's son marrying a Swazi princess. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_09_2014/post-6209-0-89376200-1410704722.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_09_2014/post-6209-0-90485100-1410704860.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_09_2014/post-6209-0-80894400-1410705003.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_09_2014/post-6209-0-37651800-1410705153.jpgclick Probably took two leopards to cover him....

The Daily Mail has US experts saying between 7000 and 13000 pounds. (US$11,200 & 78,000)

pcDogberry - kind comments to both of us - thankyou. I hope sales are going well for him - I was planning to do a review on this Forum. Unfortunately I haven't seen a copy - may I invite you to do such a review. We can place it on the book section - which is below the Lounge - and also on this Forum. Best wishes Mervyn

Ed - it should be in the panel immediately opposite the proofing mark. Perhaps it has been polished off ? Paul - they were very much weapons - even though they had become an officers' mark of rank by 1914. There are many known cases where officers' used their swords in trench battles and in the open. I personally carry a sword stick at all times - even in the wheelchair. A 3 foot blade would make most thugs think twice ! (90cm). Do US officers still carry a sword on ceremonial occasions ? The South African officers' did until the change of Govt. in 1994. Now only the officers' in the Citizen Military Regiments. Mervyn

Dave - when my book came out 30 years ago, I found that I had made one silly error. I asked where a Special's band had originated and said perhaps Middlesex - I had mean't to put the correct, Metropolitan. I had over 20 people pointing out I had made a mistake with this - needless to say it was too late to do anything. I had my Sec. write and Congratulate them for 'spotting' the deliberate mistake. I gave prizes to the first few. Best wishes Mervyn

Ed - it opened as a PDF. Nice to see them side by side. Both sides still have their engravings in good condition. One is the Royal cypher for GvR with the Crown above and sunbeams radiating. The other side is the full Royal Coat of Arms. I can't make out the side for the manufacturer's details - if you can read this just tell me the wording. Neither can I make out serious pitting - certainly it is not around the important areas - the Cyphers. Is it at the base of the blades? Unfortunately, this is quite common. Officers on parade in wet weather will sheathe the sword with the blade still wet. This allows water to drip to the bottom and cause the pitting and rust. Try cleaning it lightly with something like a good chrome cleaner. When I had swords in the shop with this problem I used to have our silver smith lightly buff the area. The darkness never really goes and it is called 'Bruising'. Hope this helps - ask anything else. Best wishes Mervyn

Dave - I unquestiongly accept your explanation for this photo - I don't know if Donald Rumbelow is still active in collecting ? I am sure he found this mistake embarrasing - however, they do happen. I will correct the notes under the photo. I will say that you have good eyesight - much better than mine................... Mervyn

Ed - a nice present. There are a few problems - but,nothing that can't be put right , should you wish to go to the trouble. It is a Victorian 1890's pattern officer's dress sword. They were worn at all times when in conflict and for parades etc.. Originally it would have had two scabbards - one being the dress pattern and heavily nickled. There were two suspension rings and it hung from the cross belt at an angle - or, to put it correctly - at the trail. The other scabbard was covered in pigskin and hung straight down the left side from a special leather 'frog' which hung from the Sam Browne cross belt. This was the general purpose scabbard. The blade seems in good condition and the etching is clear. Don't heavily polish this - the blade was originally acid etched and you will rub this off. The cypher on both sides is for GvR - Georgius 5th Rex . This shows that it almost certainly dates to WW1 when with the great influx of men and new officers there was a requirement for swords. You only show one side - the little patch under the guard is called the Forte and yours is showing the proof mark for when the blade was tested. Many people think that this is the Star of David and that the sword is a Jewish one - not so. Turn the blade over and take a photo of the factories name and mark. The big problem is that the guard - probably when the nickle flaked off - has been stripped and badly re-painted in silver paint. Also, the metal bands that ran around the grip are missing. Any competent silver smith should be able to strip the silver paint and re-nickle. Chroming - which he will probably try to talk you into should be avoided - if possible. It looks very garish. Apart from that you have a nice sword. Give the scabbard a good polish with either a hide cleaner or, a quality furniture polish. Mervyn

I promised Simon that I would add some C of L early ref. pictures. These are from an excellent book on the City of London Policing history - covering events from the earliest days. I knew Donald Rumbelow when he was the Curator of the City Police Museum - he was a noted expert on "Jack the Ripper". Since there are few books with this depth of knowledge , I am happy to give details. Published 1974. Donald Rumbelow. I SPY BLUE. ISBN 0 85997 011 6 http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_09_2014/post-6209-0-52430700-1410431523.jpgclick

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_09_2014/post-6209-0-05054200-1410430295.jpgclick This early picture of a City of London Constable shows the new pattern of Helmet, started by the Metropolitan Police. The brim is up-turned. When these were discontinued the C of L adopted adopted the style with a cox comb. The City adopted this helmet in 1865 - but the picture is later as it shows the shortened tunic. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_09_2014/post-6209-0-38352200-1410430793.jpgclick 201a Bishopsgate in 1867. It was the original Watchhouse and later it became Bishopsgate Police Station. With the number of Police upstairs and standing outside, I wonder if it was still acting as a rest area ?

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_09_2014/post-6209-0-44750900-1410429837.jpgclick City of London Police Constable Parsons. 1850 http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_09_2014/post-6209-0-53333300-1410430076.jpgclick This is shown in Rumbelow's book as a City of London Constable prior to 1865. However, one of our distinguished members has spotted that it is in fact an early Liverpool Borough Police Constable. The book was published in 1974, so, I am sure the mistake has been pointed out to him before.

English , Welsh and Scottish Police have worn identification numerals for many years , I wwonder how many of you knew the time scale for their change ?

Zeb - I will go into some of the background of the exhibition in a week or so. Some members with a Police background may find it interesting. I think all of us who took part in it's creation were surprised to find that in a 150 years (at that time) history, that it was the first time the Met. had ever had an exhibition for the public. Mervyn

Impressive collection, Simon. Must be a lot of work carrying it all around and then having to set-up. Ask in some of the Department Stores to see if they have old display dummies you could buy. They would make it easier and catch the public attention. Mervyn Odulf - like your new Avatar - as they say in the comedies - Hello Sailor !

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_09_2014/post-6209-0-02262200-1410108241.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_09_2014/post-6209-0-97021000-1410108387.jpgclick The early Metropolitan Police wore a blue frock coat with swallowtails. The Officer's number was embroidered on either side of the collar, which stood-up the side of the neck. The numbering system had commenced with the first constables who had marched out of New Scotland Yard in 1829. London was beset with riots in the mid 19th Century and in 1855 a very serious one took place at Hyde Park (central London) When everything had settled a number of complaints were made concerning excessive force by the Police. A Commission of enquiry was set-up but could not make much justification for the claims - however, it was established that the embroidered numbers on the tunics were blocking a clear view of the number. They were ordered to be discontinued and from that date they were plain metal numerals made from a type of coin metal. They are always chromed today as shown in the pair for the last of the Met's ceremonial uniforms. They were discontinued in 1971.