Mervyn Mitton

Thanks Steve. I wouldn't personally be interested - although these will probably be contempory with the 1879 period. Under the Cites treaty you cannot move prohibited animal parts around the World - and Leopards are high on the list. These should really be in a Museum. Mervyn

The Albert Medal became the George Cross and members of the Order were asked to exchange medals. Perhaps there will be some reports in the papers for 1914 ? Are you lucky enough to own these medals , or is it for research ? Mervyn

Mike - a lovely piece - is it Doulton ? I can't quite read the panel - is it Boer War ? We will look forward to seeing all of your other purchases. Mervyn

Toolkit - welcome to GMIC. A great collection and I like the way you have posted a number of pictures on each thread. I am sure other members will be able to help with identifications - but, a good start with Peter. You will find Shams very helpful. I was a little worried with the picture on your Avatar - in case it was a self portrait........... What made you pick a Drill ? Mervyn

David - a very rare grouping - would it be possible to show pictures of the ribbon bar and the medals , with his Award ? Mervyn

David - not sure who you are , however, I expect we have met ? Firstly, welcome to GMIC - with your obvious knowledge we will look forward to seeing some of your collection - and indeed - having further serious questions posed to our Membership. I think that your questions are well thought out - if a little too clinical for everyday business. Dealing firstly with the Medal Year Book. Used properly it is a guide that indicates prices for the UK market - this in turn ensures that there is a guide, since Britain is the leading market point with it's auctions of world-wide material. However, at the end of the day - it is a willing buyer, willing seller agreement that will bring an exchange. The valuations they give are not infallible - but, rather a starting point when establishing an asking - or, offering price. With a World recession, medals - particularly the more common ones, have probably decreased in some instances. The main thing is that a seller should have some idea of the price they are looking for ? You mention dealers - obviously they will expect to make a profit - there is no point in them remaining in business if they don't and holding large stock is very expensive. The alternative for selling is auctions - in SA 18% commission + 14% vat - and no guarantee of getting your hoped for price. The third choice is to sell privately. This is fine if the person selling has knowledge - however, even within Societies the un-knowledgeable can be taken advantage of - as for the many internet sales rooms, most items seem not to sell - they are repeated week after week and prices for most things are not high. Most dealers no longer have shops and tend to do their sales by these internet auctions - some make a living - and some buyers get bargains - but, not my choice. Mervyn I will be interested to see further comments from our Members. Mervyn

GOOD ! Now I've got your finger and palm prints...................... Good lifeline though. Where did the little ship come from ? Mervyn

Bob - quite amazing - you're up to 9 pages ! I still find them interesting - whoever first invented patches certainly started a whole industry. Actually, that is a good research question - where did cloth badges and patches start ? Mervyn

Ice - welcome to GMIC. I'm afraid I can't help you with the lists you need , however, there has to be record of all Commandos' and their locations. I will ask some retired SADF friends - and meanwhile , perhaps one of our members in SA will be able to help. I suggest a personal IM to member - Arthur R , he maybe will have ideas. Mervyn

Steve - see if you can get a few picttures - tell him you need to do research. Clothing from the 1879 period is rare and any uniforms to the 24th worth a lot - particularly if the owner had a spear in him.................... Look inside clothing for names and ident. marks. Mervyn (Sere if he is willing to split them ?)

Timo - sounds like an excellent ref. work. Should members not be able to help - look up Abe Books - that should show who has copies. Mervyn

Tony - thankyou for those suggestions to DJT. We do prefer questions to be answered 'in-house' - let's hope one of our Scottish experts will be able to assist. I see that you are a fairly new member - did we welcome you to GMIC ? Mervyn

Rory - welcome to GMIC. I know that you have great knowledge on medals and we will look forward to hearing more about Tee and his history. We will also hope to see some good general postings. Mervyn

MilitariaMason - welcome to GMIC. I hope that some of the contributors on this post will be able to assist with your question ? Mervyn

Hi - Harry. Some nice pieces - in fact I think you are seeing more then I do. The small shield. With the binding, I would say a good possibility of it being a dancing shield - or, for a boy. However, the way the hide has aged on the reverse I would think fairly old. Possibly mid 20th. C. The larger shield is an Umbumlulu. We will be able to take a guess as to which Impi from the single colour. I will have a look for you. The older binding 11 strips at the top - 10 at the bottom. A lovely find and apart from the hair coming off in places, in good condition. The mice and cockroaches used to eat the hair and fats when they were stored in the thatch of the reed roofs. Now - your Iklwa. This is the first time that I have seen one with the whole body bound in wire. The broken areas and also, where the wood is showing , is just damage and age. I would say that the area from the shaft is original and then the colour changes. I think there was damage and the owner had the entire shaft rebound. This brass and copper wire came from the Portuguese in Mocambique - probably it was originally made to hang pictures. The head has the correct tong marks and beating techniques of the Zulus. I would say you have come across a rare item and despite the damage, a valuable one. None of these were made after 1879 as they had no access to Delgoa Bay. They may of course, have had wire in stock - but, the British were very strict after the Zulu War. Well done. Mervyn

Could it be a case of - ' Grandson like Grandfather ' ? No - never - not our Spasm.....................

DJT - I think your ident. will have to come from the tartan or, the trews. I can't make out much detail with badges. I'm sure one of our Scottish collectors will be able to help ? Mervyn

Jennifer - welcome to GMIC and I hope that you will remain an active member. Best wishes Mervyn

Peter - thankyou for giving us this info. - a little knowledge about other members is always a good thing. Many of our members have had books published on their interests and it will be good to learn a little more about yours. If any members have read-it they will be very welcome to write a review in the new books section. However, you will also be welcome to give an outline and sources that can supply a copy for prospective buyers. Mervyn

I think many members will be interested Brett. I hope you can find-it. Mervyn

Very full and interesting set - nice to see that it has been kept together. Mervyn

Thankyou Jean-Paul - some interesting Awards. Not very often to see an award for the VC - and I also saw an MC. Thankyou for keeping us up-to-date. Mervyn

Peter - I should have made it clear that it it was the shared date - 1839. We are pleased to see your contributions - you have obviously made a study of the subject. Are you British origin or, American ? We have a lot of members on this Forum from the US - I think the interest is a two way one, I have always had an interest in early US police. I had a retired Sheriff from a big area near Atlanta in the shop recently - he has promised an article on his experiences. Do tell us a little about yourself - do you actually collect Police items - or, it the interest ? Best wishes Mervyn

Always exciting to open old boxes - not knowing what you will find inside. However, it's not often that you find medals of this quality. Mervyn

I wonder if any members will be able to help David with this request ? Mervyn