Mervyn Mitton

This is the tipstaff for Lord Gardiner - The Lord Chancellor of England. The wording - from the top is : A BARON'S CORONET HIS COAT OF ARMS Rt. Honble. LORD LYNDHURST CHIEF BARON (on the base section) NATHANIEL HAMER APPOINTED 1st. JULY 1833 Nathaniel Hamer was the Steward to Lord Lyndhurst's estates and his name was on Lydhurst's tipstaff in order that he could sit as a local magistrate, in his place.

You're right - of course ! I really only 'threw' the Enfield bit in to see what others would say... When it had the short ejector lever, wasn't that for the Carbine ?

Tony - that's a very nice badge, and excellent condition. I don't think any of mine have a maker's name.

TS - good idea, I'll contribute something. You start .......

As Peter says, there were three bars that could be awarded to this medal - however, it could also be awarded without a bar, if they didn't take part in any of them. He was a Gunner in the Royal Artillery and the medal is worth approx. £200 ($320).

I think it interesting to see how the style of wording has changed over a 47 year period. On the 1891 version all wording is on one side and initials - such as F.D. and Brit. Reg. are used rather than the full words. The 1844 boldly states ' VICTORIA BY THE GRACE OF GOD ' on the Head side and on the reverse Britain's Queen and Def. Fid.(Defendere Fidelis) 'Defender of the Faith' - a title granted by the Pope to Henry 8th.

These two crowns (five shilling pieces) are both British. The 1891 has the 'old' head and the other one her 'young' head. I know very little about coins and couldn't understand why there was no date on the older coin. Only after cleaning could we see a very tiny ' 1844' under the head. The inscription around the edge states that it was in her 8th year as Queen - and as she came to the throne in 1837 this is correct. The Arms are the type introduced in 1835 - so all was rather new. I would be grateful for any other info. collectors on this sub-forum can give - also, an approx. value ? Thankyou.

This was struck in 1965 to mark the break away from Britain by Rhodesia. The head is of the Prime Minister - Ian Smith. They lasted until 1980 when they handed over to Mugabe and it became Zimbabwe.

Hi Brian. What a good idea to give this thread another chance - there was a lot of good info. and the uniforms most interesting. Looking closely at the points you mention, I have to agree that it is probably a Martini Henry (but, could it possibly be a muzzle loading Enfield ?) -unfortunately it doesn't give an accurate date as they continued in use for quite a long period. The Boers between 1899 and 1902 probably had more in use then they had Mausers. I was looking again at the truncheon suspenders - with them in both photos they obviously were a standard pattern. I will show the English version, although it is fully enclosed. Let's hope others will now be able to add.

Stuart - it did come-up before - but, it's so beautiful you should re-post every week.... Re-reading past threads, I see I volunteered myself to write about the 17th in the Zulu War - I'd better do some thinking !

Another lovely addition for your collection. Is the Black Swan painted or, cut-out ? The helmet chain must have been very long with the high hook ?

Hi - Garth. I'm so sorry I forgot to give you an address to enquire about your badge. I think it is well worth the effort and if it can be traced or, verified to an official position , then it will be worth a lot of money. Without any research and in present condition, I would value it at about £250 ($350) - with provenance, very much higher. I know the modern trend is to send emails with photos - however, it is so easy to overlook them. I suggest you either print off on your computer - or, have a photo enlargement. Using wording from this thread - give different opinions and ask for their help and in-put. They will probably take a little time to answer, so be patient. Meanwhile, hold-on to the badge (unless you want to sell it to me.....) THE VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM KENSINGTON LONDON U.K. I would leave the Bombay Museum for the present - they are not the easiest to deal with - unleass you know someone personally. Mervyn

This is the campaign medal for the punitive expedition in 1900. Please give the man's details from around the rim and we can check on him. There is a Bar - rare - 'Defence of Legations' and that is one of the highest value medals you can find.

Out of interest and in relation to the above - this captured Italian Regimental medal came just last Friday. I think all troops - in all campaigns - like to have souvenirs.

Always nice when a quastion on something crops-up - gives us something to think about.... Now that we know it is Italian, I think it's provenance is a little clearer. One of the most succesful - but, least known campaigns in WW2 was the Sth. African attack on Ethiopia. Our troops - 28,000 only - had to motor from Capetown, up through Kenya - collecting troops on the way. The Italians had 250,000 men available, but , and I have read a number of books on this - most did not support Fascism and they retreated. We captured thousands and it was a great problem as to where to take them. Many were sent to Canada and also, Sth. Africa. The point I am leading up to is that many 'souvenirs' were captured and brought back by our troops. We see all kinds of things that were picked-up. Therefore, could this be a pattern for Italian Colonial Cavalry ?

The extension to the grip was to steady the hand when firing - you only used one hand in a duel. To fight a duel was illegal and the participents could be sent to prison - however, the magistrates, mostly, came from the same Class and were , therefore, sympathetic.

Corporal Major- Life Guards Paul - I have a set of W.O's badges for Sth. Africa ready - but, won't post in case you want to keep this for British only - let me know ? If you want to open it up then I think you could make it a definitive ref. thread for Warrant Officers' badges around the World.

Brian - very interesting - makes me wonder when the last duel took place in the UK ? By 1833 it had certainly been banned for some years. Did you by any chance note the maker for the pistols - an expensive purchase when they were made.

Nice to see the information on the Sth. African Specials - helps to build-up an overall picture. Brian - yours is British and as you say , with the broad arrow has to be a Services employment. Gatekeeper or, factory guard - they brought all the old retirees out for service. When is the 'special piece' you mention arriving ?

Thanks for your reply. I am waiting to hear from the museum and will post when they do. We have had postal strikes here and I think the UK as well - so anybodies guess when ?

Paul - interesting thread. We see the Guards ones you mention, from time to time - will let you know next time. I think this one is for a Naval Chief Petty Officer. Darker background than the R.A.F. one and more colour lower down. Has an issue number on the reverse and was in a vacuum packed plastic envelope.

Hi - Ed. Hope all went well? Beautiful condition - but you obviously need Gordon's help... Be interesting to see what he says ?