Mervyn Mitton

This is an open topic and all will be very welcome to make suggestions. This is a Martini Henry bayonet - as used in the Zulu War of 1879, through to the Boer War 1899-1902 (mainly by the Boers). This has a blade 16.3/4" (43cm) which is considerably shorter than the standard blade. The scabbard appears to be original with the correct furniture - however, the possibility exists that both blade and scabbard have been shortened. The question , of course, is if this would have been because of a breakage, or, if they were using a shortened version to fight with ?

Tony - greatly enjoyed this post - we tend to forget just how big the operations were in the Middle East and just how many men were involved. Have no idea about my 'namesake' you turned-up - the name is rare , so he must be a distant, distant relative (like Rick !!) I sold a few years ago the swagger sticks for the various police forces that we set-up in the that area - an amazing number.

SOUTH AFRICAN ?

SOUTH AFRICAN

SOUTH AFRICAN ?

U.S.

U.S. ARMY

U.S. NAVY

UNITED STATES

BRITISH NAVY

SOUTH AFRICAN

SOUTH AFRICAN

Spoke recently to Keenan - 'Desert Rat' - who wanted to look at patches. We have quite a number in boxes and have sorted a few out to post. I apololgise that some are U.S., but more interesting if they stay together. Perhaps members can help identify them - I obviously know some of them - but Countries seem confused. SOME RHODESIAN UDI PERIOD

A couple more South African RSM badges. These are the detachable arm type - are these common in other Forces ? The top has an elastic section which slips over the shirt epaulette. Not sure which unit used the purply one.

Found these in a box the other day, and am showing for interest. They must date back to just prior to Independence. If anyone has details perhaps thay will add to thread.

Hello - Brian. Congratulations on your ascendency ! I like the way you have mounted this whistle - shows it off very effectively. These old whistles were well made and just kept getting re-issued - my own was Victorian. Prior to the 1880's the method of alarm was for a constable to carry a rattle. Tests were carried out in the early 1880's and it was found that a whistle could be heard three times as far as a rattle. The change over was gradual and the early whistles were of the pea type - however it was found there was confusion with other whistles and Hudson's brought-in the air type. For a Chief Constable to have his Force name stamped-on, cost extra money - so many of them are un-named. A good one like this - about £30 - but I have heard of them fetching higher prices. Out of interest is that roughly what you paid ? Next time ask me first - I literally have several cupboards filled with this old Police paraphanalia.

TS, I would say you were correct in calling them Tribal Courts. I don't think this is for India - rather West Africa. When I lived in Sierra Leone they had Native Courts on old buildings and therefore , I think you will find Nigeria and Ghana had them as well. Within the Colonies a lot of autonomy was left with the Chiefs and with our usual 'sensitivity' this is how we would have labelled them. I would say this has been cut from an armband - possibly by a European to take home as a souvenir. (always the possibiluity East Africa could have had similar Courts ?)

Justin - if you have any trouble obtaining British issue un-named Stars, I can help with most of them. Air Crew Europs - as Ulsterman has said, is an expensive one and great care has to be taken to check it out. When you buy one make sure there is a guarantee of authenticity.

Adding to this little story about rare groups being found - some years ago a chap came into the shop from Rhodesia. He told us about how he had a bought a Company and when they had taken over - on top of a cupboard in the Director's office, they found a tin with a group of about ten medals. One of them was a VC from WW1 - the Father of the man who had sold the Company. He tracked the family down to return them - which showed great integrity, as at that point he had become the owner.

I can help you with an un-named WW2 1939/45 Star.

I would have thought that this was one of the newer tietacks that so many associations within Forces are producing for charity. Why don't you drop them a line and ask ? I'm always surprised that so few have appeared since Leigh started this thread.

Darrell - you're a sly one ! Lovely medal to such a good unit and finishes the ones you wanted - now, you really have to face-up to reality. Do you start to collect to a specific action or, regiment ? Perhaps different combinations of the bars ? You've built-up a very valuable collection. Mervyn