Mervyn Mitton

A very lucky find - well done. Mervyn

Burden yes - but I often hear comments that they wished we were still running things.......... Stuka - that rust preparation is quite remarkable - the difference to the globe is enormous. I wonder if it can be bought in other countries ? Mervyn

Tony - your feelings on this drum are exactly how I felt when I first saw the picture. It is always easy to write things off as fakes - however, there are items that can go forward 300 years and survive. I pointed out the high probability that it might be a 'prop' , but, I also said it was worthy of further research. Now that we know that it is a piece from a reputable dealer - and has a high price attached, I feel that the probablity of it being of age is being substantiated. The first Jacobite rebellion was - I think - in 1702. This led to a period of upheaval and risings - and therefore it is highly probable that this could be from that period when irregular troops were being raised. With regard to construction, I have seen this style in other early drums - and as you say the making of the shape was not easy. The drum may not be for Atholl at all - there were plenty of other Scottish nobility. The fact that the ornament looks like the Scottish Crown - now held in Edinburgh Castle - would also seem appropriate for this period. JF42 mentions the full arms of Atholl - on a ceremonial drum - yes, they would be expected. For a rough drum made to lead men in an uprising, I doubt if the skilled artists would even be available. I think the motto has always to be - Keep an open mind. I hope members will continue to give their opinions on this piece ? Mervyn

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2015/post-6209-0-43651800-1420543761.jpgclick Ian Shepherd's wife - Ann - often sends me cuttings from the Manchester Evening News and at present they are running a 'Diary of Events'. These are from 1914 and show that wives - with husbands in the Forces, were behaving badly and getting drunk. http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2015/post-6209-0-35931700-1420544039.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2015/post-6209-0-41532500-1420544190.jpgclick http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2015/post-6209-0-54937400-1420544311.jpgclick

This is a recognised award and he would have worn-it. Firstly it is a long service first aid medal for 15 years service - with 20 year bar for additional service. The paperwork did not make it clear - but, this was the Long Service medal they were talking about. The markings are BRITISH RAILWAYS 15 YEARS FIRST AID EFFICIENCY. Mervyn

Certainly not British - most probably Indian. May have been part of a farewell gift. Spasm seems to have the closest to the initials. Bluerinse - what a strange avatar ? - welcome to GMIC. Your Avatar picture should be interesting ? Mervyn

Timo - always the problem - civil wars and Nationalist up-risings always split families and friendships. You are finding some interesting things about this man. Mervyn

The membership are not obligated to reply to anyone. I should have made it clear that I was talking about the Moderators - who do have a reponsibility to see that questions are answered to the best of our ability. Mervyn

Ryan - I've just realised who you are. I hope you are well and settled nicely - drop me an IM when you have time. Don't know why I mentioned the race letters - I have had enough of these in the shop to know they are un-named. I will delete from my original post. Best wishes for 2015. Mervyn

Blunderbuss Antiques are a reputable firm and have been around for many years. I think many of the comments here are rather moralistic - some years ago, I fell out with Kev over this issue of obtaining information. I gave the matter further thought , and realised that his posts often allow Members to see items that might not be known to them - and, also allow our membership to comment on both the item and it's historical aspect. I would say that Kev is welcome to post these items - our choice is whether we answer them - or, not. One final point - Kev is a Goldmember - and that in itself is enough to see that his questions are answered and that he is treated with respect.

rdarby - thankyou for taking the trouble to add to this old post. Collectors will be pleased to have this extra reference. Mervyn

Peter - that is exactly where their value lies. People like to buy two drums - have glass cut to cover the top and use them as coffee or, end tables. Quality ones are not that common and members of the Regt. concerned like to buy them. They can fetch over a 1000 pounds. Bob's 17th Lancers Side Drum has been very well made and beautifully painted. However, should you ever come to sell-it, there is a serious problem with the heraldry. All of the Battle Honours for the Regiment have been shown - right to the present. However, the Royal Cypher is for either King George 3rd. or. George 4th.. Lancer Regiments were formed after the cavalry fiascos at Waterloo and most Regiments date from 1816. From the best I can see, the Royal Arms appear to be the 1835 pattern. Despite these errors, it is still a lovely display piece. When I can find the pictures I will show a side drum for the Royal Irish Regt. - this was made for Geeorge 5th. Coronation in 1910 and the Regt itself was disbanded in the changes of 1922. Mervyn

Perseverance won the day ! From the origins of the post in 2004 - to a final identification of the ribbon in January 2015. Well done Gordon - I hope you still have the medal ? Have a good 2015 Mervyn

Jock - I/we have no problem what-so-ever with comments on articles. Should they be adverse to our point of view, that is not a problem - I actually said that I would not be surprised if someone disagreed. With regard to our comments - they are given in good faith - however, GMIC takes no responsibility for them - and neither does the person posting. They are comments and the decision as to whether he acts on them is his alone. Having said that , Kev posts some very interesting items and personally, I am quite happy to help in any way. Don't most of our Members sell-on to keep money for other items - I know you do Jock and again, you show items we can research and comment-on. Back to the Drum - The Dukes of Atholl were the only Scottish Nobility given a Royal Warrant to raise their own Army in supporrt of the Crown. Despite this, at the period we are talking about they were a pretty rough bunch. The Drum has a certain look from the period and the paintwork and Arms are as they would have been at that time. I have said the drum is worthy of research - and as already said - that is Kev's decision, not mine. However, 60 years of experience is just saying to me - don't discard without a little research. Mervyn

Medals316 - pleased that you are happy with our explanations. We would certainly like to see the selection of photos you mention - I have been assuming that he was a Flight Sergeant - and therefore , was probably a pilot in the Battle of Britain ? Are you able to confirm his rank and what he was doing - the alternative, was perhaps that he was a Navigator ? At the top of the Forum our Chairman has included a short tutorial on adding photos - should you have any problems please call on us for help. Mervyn

Kev has IM'd to say the description he has been given is that it is for the Duke of Atholl and dates to around 1720. I would agree with that, The Dukes of Atholl had permission to raise troops from the Crown. The headpiece could be either a Duke's Coronet - or, the Crown of Scotland to show allegiance. Paintwork would indicate age and the style of the woodwork. Certainly worth a 'spirited' attempt to purchase.

Brian - another succinct and insightful chapter on Churchill. This part is perhaps, the most important of his WW2 activities , as it covers the Narvik Battle and the events to the Dunkirk Retreat. Sir Alan Brooke was Churchill's senior aide throughout the War and his memoirs make interesting reading. By his account Churchill was more than strong willed - and often threw tantrums when crossed. However, despite reservations, he was undoubtedly the 'man for the job' and you show this very well in your account. These were dark days for Britain and I lived in London as a small boy aged 5 years. Even at that age the concern of older people was very obvious. I must congratulate you on keeping the pace and the information in the story on a continuing level - I am now waiting for part 3. Mervyn

Irish Gunner - your Blog is an insightful look at the present state of collecting in 2014. I think you are being unduly generous when you say that our Collectors on GMIC are the ones doing research. Yes - of course - the serious ones would not dream of just adding to their collections without doing the necessary research. The younger ones, and the quick visit ones are just as guilty of wanting to own items - but to take things no further then a name. From having the top collectors' shop in SA, I can tell you that very few of the under 18's could tell you when the second World War took place - or, who was involved. From when you joined I have admired your dedication and have enjoyed your articles. This present blog helps to focus on problems in collecting - as you see them. Should our Chat Room re-open , perhaps some classes on your chosen subjects would be appropriate ? Well done Mervyn

Zeb - best wishes for 2015. I hope it will be a productive one for you. Drop me an IM at some time and let me know how you're collecting it is getting along. Mervyn

Very unusual drum - it has the Scottish Crown and the Thistle emblems. The question is - was it made for a play as a prop, or is it a genuine item. Bonnie Prince Charlie - the pretender to the Throne and son of the exiled King James 2nd - Brother of Charles 2nd. - started his insurrection in Scotland in the 1740's. He reached the outskirts of Manchester in 1745 and was then turned back. Should this be genuine then it has to date back to around the 1745's - he was defeated at the Battle of Culloden Moor. The British destroyed all items such as this one - so, if genuine it would have been kept in hiding. For once I am tempted to believe that this could be a genuine and historical item - the fact that it was hand carried and not slung over one shoulder somehow , seems important. We all make assumptions on 'gut' feelings - and I will not be at all surprised to be told that I am talking rubbish and it is a fake. However, if it was mine I would be making all sorts of enquiries - particularly at Edinburgh Castle. The whole appearance is one of age - with the paint and Heraldry. Mervyn

Looking at it I would say possibly part of a bronze group - or, the figure on top of a bronze vase. You can see the attachment points on the feet. The sack of Peking brought many items to the West - the better and larger ones were usually stolen by officers and the smaller, broken off items , often by the troops who had to carry them back in their kit bags. This was a joint effort by many Countries whose Diplomatic Missions had been besieged by the Chinese. For those in the Siege of the Legations the medal issued has now become one of the most expensive to buy. Worth having it looked at by an expert, many of the furnishings of the Palace were old. Mervyn

At one time in the shop we had the Queen Victoria tin with chocolate untouched and in it's original straw. The back of the tin was scratched with the message that it had been delivered to the Adjutant - a Captain - in Mafeking and during the Siege. Presumably they must have managed tins for all of the British Combatants ? Mervyn

Hi - Jerry -a Happy 2015 to you. Interesting group and as always it's the paperwork that give it background. He was lucky that he wasn't shot - malingering was not looked on lightly at that time. Mervyn

Medals316 - Thankyou for your post and welcome to GMIC. Your Uncle's medal group is an important one as only some 6000 DFM's were issued for the WW2 period. Strangely the value shown for the Battle of Britain clasp is not that far short as for the DFM. You will understand that at a distance of 24 years - and not being present yourself, that it is going to be quite difficult to find out the circumstances of the mounting back in 1990. There is no reason for a tailor's copy of the clasp to have been used and your question regarding renewals does not apply as you say they were mounted for the first time for a special event. I cannot imagine Spinks not mounting these properly - however, what does occur to me is that in the original issue all parts come separately. This would include the clasp. Perhaps the original had been lost over the years and with a high value to be paid, your Uncle may have been advised to have a less expensive tailor's copy. This is speculation and unless Spink's have maintained their records from that period you may not ever know for sure. The dealer you consulted has advised that a copy clasp will not detract from the value - so, you are really left with two choices. One keep the group as it was worn - or, if it really worries you - purchase an original issue through a reputable firm. Personally, I think you have a lovely group and I would keep it as worn. Please post a photo of the Group, including the reverse and we can then enjoy it with you. Get a local expert to help you draw his Service record , also his Gazette entry. Try to find a good photo of him in uniform and keep all of this with his personal details - incl. birth and death dates. Best wishes for 2015 Mervyn

An interesting video annd one that gives a good background to the SAS. Thankyou Chris. Best wishes for 2015. Mervyn