Mervyn Mitton

Brett - a very nice and interesting Group - but, how strange they wouldn't want his record kept with them ? Bad enough when they erased the names on medals since they thought it was a 'disgrace' to sell family medals. We will look forward to seeing more from your collection. Mervyn

Warpath - the probability is that this is a Clan Badge - and with this size possibly a shoulder pin for the tartan cross shoulder sash. The meaning of the Latin Motto is - " No one provokes me with Impunity". I checked a book of Families and Military units who use Latin Mottoes and quite a number are shown. I will try to list the major ones and you can make a few internet cross checks. Irwin ; Macgeogh ; Bond ; Nettles ; (these will be Clans) Order of St. Andrew of Scotland ; Order of the Thistle ; The Royal Scots (Lothian Regt) ; 1st Vol. Bn. The Black Watch ; 2nd Royal Lanark Militia ; 9th (Glasgow Highland) Bn. Territorials ; 42nd Foot (1st Bn. The Black Watch - Royal Highlanders) ; 78th Lancs. (Manchester) Rifle Vol. Corps. ; 79th Foot - Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders ; 91st Foot (1st. Bn Princess Louise's Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders) Hope this is of some help to you - I still favour a Clan - but you have some distinguished units listed. Mervyn (As the Borderer pointed out the tail of the belt is at the immediate bottom. From the look of the back it appears to be silver - although there is no Hallmark. The front has either been gilded at some time - or, has a gold content. Try gently cleaning it.) The Scottish Lion is known as a Lion Rampant.

Rich - some more good examples - you have an impressive collection. The British have had quite a number of sawback bayonets - mostly dating back to the 19th C. I show above, the rare Artillery Bayonet from the 1870's. Do you have more 'tucked ' away - if so please post them - all add to our knowledge. Mervyn Greg - too late to bribe me - you've already won a prize.

Airwarrior ( please let us have a first name) - you have a really good Constabulary bludgeon - with the decoration I described. Are 1,2,and 3 all of this item ? Even with magnification the details are not too clear - do a drawing and show both sides - you can photograph and then send in the usual way. I look forward to seeing the details on both. Mervyn

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My German is not very good - but, at least I tried with the intro.. German South West Africa was a Colony from the 19th Century and because of problems with the tribes - particularly the Herero - quite a large garrison was in place. South Africa and Britain took the territory in a campaign in 1916 and after 1918 the League of Nations invested Sth. Africa with a Protectorate - which became known as South West Africa. This lasted until a few years ago when the state of Namibia came into being. This interesting - and rare Native Pass was issued to individuals living in various towns and districts. The name on the front is the town name and the number shows the person had paid his tax and was allowed to move around - subject to local laws. The Imperial German Crown shows the official nature of the Pass. .................................................................http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_12_2012/post-6209-0-22863200-1355073388.jpgclick.......................................

Rich - nice to see these examples of the 'Butcher blade'. I am sure you know the current value of the sawback version - quite frightening. I know Chris has some fine examples of sawbacks and it would be nice to add them to this thread. I had hoped we would have had more examples - however, I think it is one of those threads that doesn't get a lot of visitors. Chris - I'm not sure having all three of these threads under one intro. heading attracts attention. What do you think - should we ask Nick if they could be split ? Greg - for such rare items there seem to be several within the Forum. The Swiss one - although longer and impressive - does not have quite the interest the German one . Congrats on a 1st in the Photo Comp. Mervyn

The top one is a 'Bludgeon' - which led to the word to bludgeon someone - or beat them. These were often carried by civilians in the tail pockets of the old swallow tailed coatees. The early police also sometimes carried them - but then, they will have a coat of arms painted on the top. These are particularly rare. Please take close-ups of any decoration on the top. The two parts are joined by two pieces of rope - sometimes longer than on this example. The second truncheon is known as a Baluster style and it was popular in the areas around Manchester. I can see traces of paintwork - see if you can get a clearer shot - or, tell me what it says ? 1829 makes it King George 4th (1820-30) The painted end to this makes it look similar to the staves used in the Church 'Beating the Bounds' annual ceremony. The procession put the staves in the ground to show the Parish boundaries.

Yes - I can only agree with Paul's comments. A sad event - but thanks to those involved the history has been revived. Mervyn

A lovely group Chris - and such a brave gesture to the French. I hope this goes to a museum.

A big difference - it is always a good thing when an expert collector shows an original with a copy. Mervyn

Hefty fine - that would be about 50 Pounds today - US$80.

Mick - good that Odulf was able to help you. Welcome to GMIC , I hope we see you regularly. Mervyn

Thankyou Pat - I just couldn't place where it was. I have never visited Canada - which is a pity as I have obviously missed a lot. People have always told me that Vancouver is a lovely city and I did once think of moving there. Not a possibility these days. Mervyn

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Modern communications are a way of life for us in 2012 - however, think back 196 years and it was really very different. For news to reach England from France or, Belgium, required despatch riders to gallop to the Coast and then embark on a ship to cross the Channel. From there other riders had the intense journey to London. There is little wonder therefore, when gossip and speculation took over and filled the papers. The Morning Post was an important London newspaper - and at 6 1/d pence was an expensive luxury. Only Clubs and well to do Households could afford a newspaper - and it must also be remembered that the majority of the people were illiterate. Thhis was in the days when Town Cryers still shouted important news at street corners. Note the red stamp in the right corner - this was a Govt. Duty mark. More often then not - they got it wrong - and this is such an article. Still interesting and just part of our history. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_12_2012/post-6209-0-29722100-1354549274.jpgclick

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I recently showed two old newspapers on the US Forum - one of them from 1776 - the year the US declared Independence. Papers of this age are rare and give an insight into how the public of the time viewed events. This paper is again British and was published in 1816. Most of the news is of the King's Court and also a multitude of adverts for curealls for boils etc. However, there is one article that will interest our Members on this Forum - it concerns Napoleon's home on St. Helena and how it was set-up. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_12_2012/post-6209-0-15201300-1354548228.jpgclick

Niceto have all of thatconfirmed Pat. Now please satisfy my interest - where is Kelowna ?

Scott - welcome to GMIC and we will look forward to seeing more posts from you. We don't encourage links to sales sites - however, on a comparitively rare subject like this all info. is helpful. Many thanks. Mervyn

I think I may have told this story before - however in the "light' of Craig's comments I will do a brief resume. I was on night duty and walking with a young constable who was still on 'probation' - under two years service. They were required to have a certain number of arrests to show they were working and he saw a drunk staggering along. Well, I knew him by sight - a very burly steel worker - and best left alone, but my young companion decided to arrest him for being drunk and disorderley - a perfectly reasonable response . He took hold of his right arm and made the arrest - which immediately turned the scene into a riot. I had to take the prisoner's left arm to help but, he was shaking us like a terrier does a rat. I thought - 'if this man gets his right arm free I will be in hospital ' - so I hit him over the head with my three cell Everready torch - which was made of rubber. It bent just like a banana ................ Eventually, we ran him into a hoarding to subdue him and get him into the Van. He apologised to the young PC the next morning at Court. So much for a quiet patrol before going in for midnight refreshments. The end of the story - I complained to Everready about the quality of their torches and they sent me a new one ! This is an excellent post by Brian and has lots of mileage - I know he has a lot to show us. Add to the post if you have anything of interest in this field.

Pat - since the medal only has date and Province bars it means he didn't take part in any major engagements. However, he saw a lot of service and it is a nice medal to a good unit. He may very well have been on detached duty for a while to earn the Transvaal bar - what does his record say ? Mervyn

As always Brian - a very interesting article. Certainly sets the scene for a history of old lanterns. I wilkl do my best to support you with a few illustrations.

The other major bravery award - again only given by the King - is the Izuku necklace. This is made from the thorn tree and is rare. Unfortunately many copies have been made which is confusing - they are worth a great deal of money. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_11_2012/post-6209-0-13423800-1354116269.jpgclick

This very rare picture shows the Grandson of the Zulu originally awarded this Bravery arm band. It is the one shown above. He is an Induna - or, local chief and his dress shows that he is an important person in his World. In his left hand he is holding a staff of office. He is also wearing spotted cat skin - probably civet - which is reserved for senior people. The younger men are probably his sons. All are wearing the leopard or, civet headring. Whilst the picture is obviously posed - never-the-less it clearly shows the appearance of a senior chief - and this will not have changed much over the past 150 years. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_11_2012/post-6209-0-91124700-1354114987.jpgclick