Mervyn Mitton

I recently re-found this small set of 'portable' silver plated containers - one for water, the other a 'shot' for alcohol. They belonged to my Grandfather who used them in the Boer War - or, possibly India. Most officers and NCO's carried items like this in the early days - when you were in the bush how else did you drink ? I will post a few more views and thenone of my Grandfather

I think we will find that it is the actual bark of the tree it was cut from. Still intended to have the same purpose - stopping it being pulled from you. The top is obviously wood , now that it is closer. When you have time it will be great to see more items in the collection. Mervyn

This is a 19th century Indo/Persian belt dagger - known as a KARD - however, I expect it has other names . The areas of main use were Northern India,Pakistan, Persia and prob. into Afghanistan. This example is unusual in that the original scabbard is present - leather, with an interesting top piece which has been pierced to show the red cloth underneath. The gold at the end of the sheath is pure beaten gold and when new it must have gleamed. Obviously for a person of some importance, the brass fittings on the hilt and guard would have been gilded - now, mostly worn off. Overall it is 18.5 inches (45cm) and the blade - which is finely engraved is 11 in. (28cm) Would be nice to see some examples from other members.

I hadn't thought of that - any money your'e probably right. I'll try to find out if there is a trade directory for Grahamstown. Meanwhile, I will be grateful if anyone can help with model - also, does anyone know a current value ?

This picture is taken from the 1900 volume - 'With the Flag to Pretoria' - it shows the famous Gordon Highlanders wearing a kilt cover. I have never seen this before - does anyone know when the custom started - and, apart from stopping the kilt to be an aiming mark (ouch !!) , was there any other reason for this?

One for our Canadian friends...

Taken from the 1900 - 'With the Flag to Pretoria' - this interesting picture shows the Orange Free State Artillery at the start of the Boer War (1899-1902). They styled themselves on the German uniform of the time and when - rarely - these picklehaubes come-up at auction, they can fetch ?2000 ($3500)

Stuart - your helmets are magnificent - I am going to print off the 7th. O/R's for reference. I wonder if members realise the current value of rare helmets like these. I would put these three at between ?5 - 6000. ($ 10/11000). On the photograph - what is the round emblem on his left sleeve - doesn't look like a machine gun ? The cavalry .303 bandolier is also a good example - they wore this pattern in the Boer War. How many helmets do you have in your collection - were they all sourced in Aust.? With the 5th. Helmet , it is interesting that the 'sunburst' around the badge is only in outline - how are other Dragoon helmets shown? Our Edward 7th. is the cypher of the King. One question - I notice that your plumes are replacement nylon - our two in the shop window have faded, do you have an address for replacements ? Mervyn

We have many hardwoods in Sthn. Africa - one of the most popular for knobkerries is Ironwood, as it is so hard and doesn't break. A knobkerry is one of the most dangerous and common weapons here and Zulus learn stick fighting from as young as 5 ! Which Museum are you ? I used to have quite a lot to do, years ago, with the Ashmolean - they helped me with research on truncheons and tipstaffs. Museums do some funny things at times - Chris' point about showing sheathed swords, is a valid one - but from the staff point of view it keeps them clean !!

Hi,Chris - You beat me to the last picture !! I keep saying to everyone ,how great the store of knowledge is on this forum. The museum knew nothing and really weren't interested in looking. Yet you have found the probable origins of this man, and all from the 'darkest' depths of Canada I don't know what a Tranter would have cost in those days, but a lot ,so,he must have been a man of some means. The best one we ever had brought in was recovered - many years ago - from a skirmish site from the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 - it had obviously been dropped at the time and lay under a rock for over 120 years - and was still in fair condition. The weight always surprises me - must be at least 4 lbs. (2 K's)

I am hoping that some of the experts in this sub-forum, will be able to identify which model of Tranter this is, and also a date? I only bought it this morning so, it has yet to be cleaned. I think most of the bluing is under the grime and there is some fine decorative engraving. Unusually, there is an owner's name engraved along the top - JOHN HAYTON GRAHAM'S TOWN - strangely, the word Graham's Town is shown with an apostrophe and as separate words. Grahamstown is the capital of the eastern Cape and was formed by the 1820 settlers - in (wait for it !) 1820. I spoke to the museum this morning and his name isn't familiar - however, this was the centre for the 7th, 8th, and 9th. Kaffrarian Wars. I found some info. on the web - but it doesn't help date it to a model or, year. Will show a number of photos and will be most grateful for any help.

Helen - there are some rare and valuable ones here. Will start with the one top left. The small end grip is either ivory or, bone. The fittings look to be brass. I would like to see a close-up of the sheath - you say plaster covering, however, I think it is more probable to be either a fish skin (ray?) or, a tree bark. Whatever the covering , it's purpose is to stop an enemy grabbing to pull out of your grip. The second one is very similar to my own ( see under swords) and will date to the early part of the 19th. C. The grip ia Scottish staghorn and the joint part has been carved as a shell. The purose of the cord is to wrap it around your wrist - and again, stop someone pulling it from you. The Namibian one is a typical style for most of Southern Africa - and it is, of course, a dagger stick. To make the long aperture for a sword blade is difficult and requires special machinery. The shaped head is based on a knobkerry - or, fighting stick. The Pakistani one is probably 20th.C. and is a very neat design - the curved grip was either to sit on - like a 'shooting stick' or, was intended to brace on the arm or shoulder. Very neat how the ferrule takes out to make a small dagger for the left hand. Any more ?

Leigh - have never heard of as modern truncheon with a firearm built-in. There is one in my book , with a brass eagle grip - now worth about ?5000, but,it's early Victorian. Have you a photo or, ref. ? Helen, will look for your swordsticks post. Mervyn

I have a feeling that many on this forum have a greater interest in later planes ? However, this is an interesting picture from 'With the Flag to Pretoria' - publ. in 1900. The balloons were tethered and proved useful for observation on the flat plains of Sth. Africa, during the Boer War (1899-1900). The Royal Naval Air Service had their first dirigible in 1907 - she was named Nulli Secundus (second to none)

Stuart - what a cracking helmet and plate ! You should have put it sep. - it may not get noticed. When you see how the plate stands out with the backing, you can understand why so many badges have open spaces. The plate are available - all of my things are. Will IM. (says he proudly - I've just discovered how to send them !!!)