Mervyn Mitton

Lachlan. Welcome to GMIC. An interesting anecdote - this original thread goes back to the start of the Forum - but, information and stories such as these are always of value. We hope to hear more from you. What are your collecting interests ? Mervyn

BASE OF THE SHAFT - WITH SWOLLEN END. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2012/post-6209-0-61451300-1331734927.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

THE CENTRAL HANDGRIP AREA http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2012/post-6209-0-32206100-1331734766.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

The carved area under the head http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2012/post-6209-0-95037900-1331734628.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

HEAD OF SMALL IWISA http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2012/post-6209-0-37665300-1331734443.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2012/post-6209-0-01431800-1331733548.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE This is a smaller Iwisa - but equally unusual in that nearly every part has carved decoration. 20.5 inches overall (52cm) - it weighs 521 gms. - 1.1/4 pounds. There is a swollen end to the shaft - this was to prevent the hand slipping if covered in blood. The wood is Iron Wood - very heavy and dense.

This shows the end of the shaft - with the fuse wire decoration http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2012/post-6209-0-80813500-1331733376.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

The brass and copper decorative binding around the head - with a band of fuse wire. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2012/post-6209-0-20772600-1331733198.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

CLICK TO ENLARGE Zulus fight with three main weapons - the short stabbing Iklwa ; the longer throwing spear and, the Iwisa , or knobkerrie. They are trained from an early age and a Zulu with a heavy Iwisa is a most dangerous opponent. There can be variations for different purposes - heavy fighting ones - ceremonial , for use in the Kraal and a lighter form for dancing. These two that I am showing today have just come-in and are very unusual for their decoration and for the shape of the head on the larger one. This is bound in decorative style using copper and brass wire (Brass is the darker colour). These wires came from the Portuguese in Delgao Bay in Mocambique. I have never seen the head bound fully in this way and it makes for a very rare item. Overall length is 31.5 inches - 80cm.. The weight is 786 grams. 1.5 pounds The fringe beneath the head and at the bottom - is fuse wire from the gold mines.

Cadogan - this looks to be a very interesting item - however, it is unreadable. Even at 400 mag. it is not clear. Could you please try another photo - or, copy out the wording. Mervyn

James - welcome to GMIC. Mike is an expert in his field and I think a lot of our members' are enjoying his history of this Unit.

Alan - sorry I missed this and strangely, no-one else has answered. All old Indian badges seem to have a premium - I suppose shades of the Raj ? I have a complete uniform - with cross belt - and this same badge is used in larger size for the pouch badge. I would think at least 50 pounds - if not more. Mervyn

Always good to see the artist at work. I think I can persuade Brian to keep you off the 'sacrifice' list...............

INSIDE OF FRONT COVER http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2012/post-6209-0-87313400-1331487897.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

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SILK HANDKERCHIEF - EMBROIDERED BY FRENCH LADIES. DATED 1915 http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2012/post-6209-0-46881900-1331487254.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

NEVER MOUNTED WITH THE GROUP - AND PROBABLY NEVER WORN http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2012/post-6209-0-30759000-1331487097.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

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SOME OF THE BADGES THAT WERE IN THE BOX. DEVONSHIRE REGT.; RHA ; RS (ROYAL SCOTS) ROYAL MILITARY POLICE. THE LOWER CENTRAL ONE IS PROBABLY HIS WIFE WHO SERVED IN A LICENSED CANTEEN. ARTILLERY ; ST. JOHN'S ARM BAND FOR POLICE UNIFORM + HIS RELIGIOUS MEDALS. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2012/post-6209-0-15147500-1331486283.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

'S' BATTERY ROYAL HORSE ARTILLERY http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2012/post-6209-0-50567600-1331486056.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2012/post-6209-0-81819900-1331485776.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2012/post-6209-0-90061200-1331485578.jpgCLICK TO ENLARGE

*********************************************http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2012/post-6209-0-82104800-1331484269.jpg**************************************** I have been lucky in the past few weeks to have several very good groups come-in. This is probably my favourite - although some of the others are also special. They will be posted in due course. One of the nice things with this group were the number of small items that came with-it. I have made several posts with them, on Forums out side of British. There is a badge under Belgium and two original arm bands I asked for confirmation on member's valuations - one of them SS with the original badge. The Group has 5 medals in total - he was in a number of Regiments and Corps - and until his papers are drawn I can't be sure. There is mention of the Royal Scots and this may have been the unit he first joined. He was certainly in the Royal Horse Artillery and stationed in India when he was awarded the Delhi Durbar Medal. He was awarded the Mons Star with Bar for being under fire between August 5th. and November 22 nd. 1914. This is shown for the RHA. His war Medal and Victory are as a Gunner in the Royal Artillery. For the 2nd World War he was awarded the Defence Medal. Between the Wars he was a Mounted Police Officer in the Essex Constabulary and was on duty for the 1937 Coronation Procession. There are some interesting mementos from the Coronation and I will post these on our Police section. There is a badge for the Military Police and it is possible that he served with them - although he only had the Defence Medal. However, this could explain how he had access to genuine German items ?