Mervyn Mitton

Thomas - my reply had crossed with Richie's , so I hadn't seen his translation. Well done that you have found the history - funnily enough I had wondered about Argentina - there used to be close ties with S.A. pre-1994.

I made enquiries whilst we were in Egypt - I used to visit Sudan and Egypt quite frequently and I was told that it was normal practise for a ceremonial flywhisk to be carried as a status symbol. In East Africa, Chiefs still do carry one. Certainly, I was assured that this has the military connection. However, we all know how things can take on exagerated status - so prove me wrong ??? Sorry - that sounds rude and it wasn't meant to be - I can only say that I can't prove it either way.

I bought this fly whisk - years ago - in the Bazaar in Cairo. I have no reason not to believe that it was part of the regalia for a Sirdar - a rank in the Egyptian Army roughly equivalent to a major. This would have been in the Victorian period - poss. 1870's -80's when we were involved in Egypt. If any member has different info. I would be pleased to hear ? The shaft is ivory and the hair would have been bleached donkey tail.

Thomas - does it have the fittings to go on a bayonet ? Looking at it I would have said more a bowie knife in the tradition of the gauchos - who fastened it around the thigh from the bottom hole. The inscription seems to be the maker's name - where are the Spanish speakers ?

Cecil Rhodes - Barney Barnato and Oppenheimer - the three 'big' names who benefited from the gold and diamonds, were living at the right time. Their exploits - if they happened today - would probably make headlines in every paper. They were total exploiters.

I know this a little 'off' topic - but, did the Germans wear this pattern of helmet ? Very similar to the Merryweather pattern of UK ?

Darrell - have you ever read any accounts of the 1st. Boer War in 1881 ? Particularly the battle of Laing's Nek ? That was famous for changing a number of practices from the past, which the Victorian generals' would not give-up. Your comments re. old fashioned thinking are , therefore 'on the button' ! I will do a resume of the War if I can find some good illustrations - we were defeated in every battle and our general was killed - so, being British - we left him buried in a field and did not issue a medal !!! I tried to have him ( Maj.Gen. Colley ) taken back to UK and for him to be buried in Westminster Abbey - he was a famous man in his day - but, as always, they turned it down. This battle must not be confused with the Battle of Laing's Nek in the second Boer War - and for which a battle clasp was issued.

Thomas - it is interesting how much greater the curves are in your yataghan, when compared with Theodor's. However, interestingly, they both have the rubberised non-slip grip we were using on swords and bayonets of that period. Does that mean Theodor's has British origins ? Although they were often given to Sgts., Durban Light Infantry were gven them in the Boer War - I suppose a case of using up old stock on the Colonials. The guard on the armoured train carrying Winston Churchill , which the Boers captured at Frere in Natal, had DLI included in the compliment - so, a few are around. I saw a very nice example at my talk to Rotary, Durban North, last evening and I think it will be coming-in.

That's why this forum is special - everyone weighs in with ideas.. Peter , do you belong to a black powder club, or, own one to fire privately? I would be a little nervous of the strength of the barrel ? Before I was in the chair, I took the Society to ranges to practise with our guns - we all had them here, before the regs. changed. Anyway, I thought I should fire the 12 gauge to see if I could - two people stood behind me and just managed to hold me as I went past - so, what is the recoil like on a Brown Bess ?? Helen - make little notes all over your desk - truncheons/Zulu - truncheons/Zulu !!!!!

Nice example of a Metropolitan Police night helmet plate. This has the cypher of King George 6th. - 1936 - 52, however, I think they were mainly for use in WW2 with the blackout and fear of reflections. They are not a common badge.

Belt buckle - about the only thing I can add to this enjoyable series. There is also a swagger stick - will put it on tomorrow and perhaps you can tell me if it's an officers or, NCO's ?

You can never have too much information - apart from the personal knowledge, it adds to the value. The extra info. I promised is being copied and will be sent by post on Monday. Mervyn

Chris - one of the great difficulties our troops had was to ever get close to the Boers. They used their superior marksmanship to great advantage - they would take up a shielded position and fire on our advancing men - however, out of sight behind them, a number of their men held all of their horses and by the time our men reached the position all that was usually left was a cloud of dust. So, a night charge was an effective way of catching them un-prepared but, obviously must have been a terrible experience for everyone concerned. One of the worst incidents, where our superiority in close quarter fighting was apparent, was the 2nd battle of the War - the Battle of Elandslaagte. We were retreating fom Dundee and our 'victory' at Talana - when the Boers attacked the railway sidings at Elandslaagte , which were roughly mid-way between Dundee and Ladysmith, where we were retreating to. The Boers were caught in the open by our forces - which included a number of units. The cavalry had detachments from the 5th. Lancers; the 5th Dragoon Guards; Imperial Light Horse and - I think - Natal Mounted Rifles. They charged using both sword and lances - nine feet long (app.3metres) - the Boers made a run for it and a lot were lanced during the chase. Many Boers never forgave the British for this and it caused great enmity over the years - the famous saying they had , was - 'white men do do not do things like that to other white men' !! The reason the battles took place at Talana and Elandslaagte were for the coal. They were trying to cut us off from supplies - which in those days were vital for the railways and all our shipping. (An Eland is the largest African antelope - weighs over one ton - and laagte , means a confined area - usually surrounded with cut down thorn bushes - so, I suppose at some time it had been one to hold captured animals.)

The attached set of Australian badges has me a little puzzled. Apart from the left collar - which has the rounded crown, more usually associated with George 5th. - and therefore, prob. WW1 - all of the others have the sharper edged crown from late Victoria and Edward 7th. Could these be Boer War ? Any help would be appreciated. The other question - did our Aussie contingents in the Boer War wear unit badges, or, the standard half sun badge ?

On17th April, I posted pictures of a set of WW1 binoculars. This set is from early in WW2 and was issued to a captain in British Signals. When War commenced in 1939, despite all the talk and apparent preparations, the facts are, that we were short of every type of equipment. We had to purchase from whichever Country had required items available. This pair of field glasses are American Bausch & Lombe - a very good make. You will see that the broad arrow - to show military ownership was stamped onto the frame, and the case became standard issue webbing. What was particularly interesting, was that his issue pocket watch - also stamped with the broad arrow - was a Rolex.

We all like edged weapons on this sub-forum, but, perhaps we forget sometimes the 'horror' of actually having to fight with one ? This famous Illustrated London News double page is from the Boer War (1899-1902) and shows the 19th. Hussars in a night charge. They are using the standard cavalry sword of that period. These old prints are now hard to find - Lydenburg is in the Eastern Transvaal (now Gauteng)

That is a good point - but, wouldn't the recoil from such a heavy weapon be too much for a camel ? Do you still have access to the photo - would be interesting to see ?

B.S.A.P. - officers' cap badge -for those of the 'female persuasion' ...

A couple more B.S.A.P. badges to finish off Rhodesia. This is the officers' bullion pattern

ROYAL WARWICKSHIRE REGIMENT - Officers' fire-gilt helmet Plate for the blue helmet. We can date it fairly accurately to between 1881 and 1901. The Cardew reforms of 1881 took numbering away from Regts. and Queen Victoria died in 1901. This would mean that this badge could have been worn in both the Egyptian Campaigns(1882-7) - and the 2nd. Boer War(1899-1902) - I think the Regt. was involved in both (?) I am hoping that this picture will lead to a new thread on this famous County regiment - I wonder if Leigh has any of those great postcards ?

Dear Helen - I think the lack of response, shows that you are a little out of our knowledge range with this beautiful rapier. The extreme quality and suppleness of the steel can be seen in the picture with the blade resting. Had you just shown it, I would have hazarded a guess for it to be Spanish or, Italian - there just seems to be a difference from the French. For me - at least - it will have to remain a mystery. I am hoping - when you have time - that you will show some of the truncheons - and also Zulu - from the collection ? By-the-way, did you ever establish if it was Pitt-Rivers who excavated at Dorchester ?