Mervyn Mitton

The following spear pictures are posted on behalf of Member - Keith Nell. They are a little dark - I have shaped them and tried to lighten as much as possible. Keith will continue with descriptions.

Hi - Helen. Hope marriage is still agreeing with you ? The item is Zulu - it is a fighting stick - NOT an Iwisa or, Knobkerry. Fighting sticks are not usually as well carved as this - however, I don't dispute her dating it as far back as the Zulu War ( 1879). They are intended for close fighting and are just as deadly as a knobkerrie. Young men start learning the moves as early as four years of age. This one has the Amazumpa design carved at the head. This is locally known as the Wart design - since it looks like a wart - and used to be reserved for Royalty. Zulus are part of the Nguni people and gradually came down through Africa over hundreds of years. Almost certainly the design was picked-up in West Africa - where it is known as a Cicatrice. It represents the skin of a crocodile and young men living in those Countries still have it carved in their face as a tattoo. I know Museums don't supply values - however, I would think £200 ($3200) at auction. Dare I mention the word - truncheons ............ Mervyn I should have added that it will be about two feet in length (60 cm) - maybe a little more. It is pointed at both ends for 'stabbing' front and back.

When WW2 commenced the British Forces were lacking equipment in many fields - compass' , watches - even binoculars. These were essential items for Signals, Artillery and other specialised units. The short term solution was to buy them from other Countries. This pocket watch has full makers markings for the famous U.S. company - ELGIN. I will show a number of photos - the issue number is there and someone may have access for sales ? However, the Broad Arrow of the Board of Ordnance is back stamped - showing British usage - I wonder though what the other letters stand for ? The 'smart' thing back after the War for small boys, was to have a watch with a radium dial - you spent your time in a dark room looking at the glow - well , we didn't have T.V. However, look at the plastic dial cover and you will see why this wasn't a good idea. The radium has burnt into the plastic cover - in exactly the proportions to the amount on the face. Still probably not a good idea to wear one. A few years ago we had a Signals officer' medals ,binocs and watch. The watch was a Swiss Rolex and the Binocs. - Bausch & Lombe from the US - all had the broad arrow.

Would help if I included the card....

This was an interesting postcard, Brian. Part of a series of cards we had bought years ago, but never put out - not the sort of thing we sell. However, it is almost the counterpart of your card - except that it is dated 1915 - which helps with both. What it does , is turns upside down our theories on duty armbands and uniforms.... He is wearing the same badge as on yours - so, Metropolitan Police. The uniform is issue - so they must have been given them - at least in the Met.. The duty band - on the upper arm, is probably intended to take the place of County pressed metal plaques. I am wondering if in this position it was intended to show the person as a 'Special'. The alternative is that the two cloth straps sewn onto the regulars sleeve to hold the band, were not present for Specials and the band would have slipped off. What do you and others think ? ( I will send you the photo - makes it better to keep them together)

The hallmarks are for Sheffield 1901. On high quality silver, the hallmark is only made on one of the pieces, but the lion is shown on the other parts to show all are of the same quality.

To conclude this long and exhausting post - a special presentation silver flask to Captain Perkins. His signature is on the first picture - you do this by coating the surface with wax - sign - engrave over the signature and then wash the wax away. The other side is more interesting - a Lt. Col. of the Royal Marine Light Infantry made the presentation. Possibly his counter part in the Marines, who he would have handed his prisoners over to for transport ?

The matches were struck on the serrated section at the base. In cowboy films, on his boot or, bottom !

Captain Perkins vesta case. These contained matches - which you purchased from match girls in the street. Usually, they are silver, so I suspect this was probably made by one of his men as a gift.

The pattern of belt buckle for the Worcester V.R.'s - as shown in the painting. (acknowledgement to The Badges and Insignia of South Africa. Colin Owens.)

The two patterns of Helmet Plates for the Worcester Volunteer Rifles. I think the one on the right is the one shown on the helmet in the painting. (Full acknowledgement to the Badges and Insignia of South Africa. Colin Owens)

Contrary to the misconception that there was great enmity between the British and the Boers, the above re-print shows the bond that could exist. I think this is a wonderful testimony to the character of Capt. Perkins. Please remember Hugh's tip - if wording is small - Press Control and + : to reduce back, Control and -

The Guard of the sword - showing the 1827 arrangement. It is identical to the 1822 Infantry Officers' sword - except on the Rifles, there isn't a folding side to the guard. The cartouche shows the Rifles ' strung bugle' motif, common to all Light Infantry Regt's..

Unusually, the set comes complete with his sword - the 1827 pattern Rifles Brigade. There are also the two scabbards - the chromed dress one - which is worn at the 'trail' and the service pattern. This hangs straight down off the left thigh and is covered in pigskin. This one still has the Boer War supports ,which were removed for WW1. His swagger stick is included. I will be doing a longer post on the Swords in the correct section.