Mervyn Mitton

Thankyou everyone for kind comments - and particularly Stuart for advice and posting the officer's helmet. I've been able to print them out -just found out that if you 'right' click it brings the printer up ... I think it would make an interesting thread to explore the history of Lancer Regt's in the British Army - unfortunately we don't seem to have that many helmet collectors. I will give a small example of what I mean - from memory, so open to correction . The main Lancers were Polish at the time of the Napoleonic Wars - the British had considered , but, not adopted. Napoleon however, had brought a number of Polish lancer Regt's into his army. During the Battle of Waterloo, Wellington ordered our heavy cavalry to attack the lines of French Artillery which were causing many casualties. They charged , across muddy ground and were quite succesful in their attack on the guns - however, the Polish lancers were called-up and our men retreated. The problem was that our horses were now tired and the mud hindered them - when the Poles charged our men were targets and most of the Royal Scots were killed - many with lances to the back. This tragic loss caused the War Office to reconsider and a number of light cavalry regt's were transformed into Lancers. Which is why they don't have the long list of battle Honours earlier regt's. have. Anyone feel like doing some research ??

Darrell - another good one for the collection... How many QSA's in the collection now ? You must post a list of the medal bars you are still looking for - they all come-up at some time , or another. Did you see the picture I posted some time ago - I think under Africa - of the Rhodesian cavalry squadron ? I could re-send as it is good ref. for this medal. Mervyn

Police officers' swagger stick for Somaliland - George 5th. and probably 1920's or, 1930's. I think we had a Protectorate over the area - however, I know if i'm wrong it will be corrected. This is the one place you can't 'flannel' ! Swagger sticks are a collectable subject, but these days you don't see many of them. I sold, a few years ago, a collection of about 20 - all for police forces in the Middle East that we set-up after 1919. Pity...

When we bought this lovely Victorian 17th Lancers helmet, it was not assembled. I am posting now in the hope that Stuart - and other experts -can say if we've got it back in the right order ? The rare helmet plate dates it between 1879 and 1900 - the last Battle Honour being for the Zulu War 1879 (bottom right). The o'r's helmets are a little flimsy, but despite this it has stood up well to the passing years. The officers' version - of which Stuart has one in his collection (I think?) - is more impressive and has feathers instead of the horsetail.

Variation on the Aust. Rising Sun badge. I wore this as a 13 year old cadet in 1949 - Geelong is Aust's. senior public school and had a large cadet corps. (Public in UK & Aust. means private). Cadet insignia is a field in it's own right and I expect this badge would be a sought after item.

This is the rest of the magistrate's tipstaff for 1802. Superb workmanship.

Funny you should say that Hugh - they reckon the mud in Durban Harbour is full of Lugers ! Dropped overboard from the returning troopships when they found Customs were searching for illegal weapons... This is an entertaining thread - full of good info..

Brian, this is a really nice example and it would be worth getting a silversmith or, jeweller to straighten the edges. With your expertise you could do it yourself. Leigh will be interested Cambridge was his area . Your Specials collection is growing very nicely - amazing what is still out there.

I would think this one to be WW2. I wonder about the remains of the paint ? Was it darkened in order to not show reflections - or, perhaps it originally had a 'bronzed' finish ?

The quality of this item is so good , that I am inclining even more to Hugh's thoughts on it being a badge of office. Will be good to know what the V&A have to say ? It looks like silver (or, brass) gilt - but the front could even be gold. Tipstaffs are badges of office - prior to the introduction of Warrant Cards or, I.D.'s in the 1880's. The Crown on top represents the authority of the King and the size and appearance often was at the whims of the office holder. Many different people could carry one - magistrates, judges, high constables - even, inspectors of pavements. You have all been neglecting our British Police sub-forum !!!! There are a number of tipstaffs (or, tipstaves, either is correct) posted. You will be amazed at their high quality and the materials used. They have a very high value and when my book was published we could only find evidence of about 2000 still in existance. This is against about 12000 heraldically painted truncheons. p.s. My avitar (?) is the head of a silver tipstaff for a London magistrate - 1802.

Absolutely fascinating thread - we live and learn. I would still like to see the 'dug-up one ??

Thanks - Brian. I had heard that - however, the notch in a blade is very wide spread. Also, many of the Countries that use it are not Hindu - Indonesia and Malaya are predominantly Muslim - in fact, Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the World. Perhaps it was a practise that became the 'norm' ? An interesting topic that could be explored a little ' deeper' - can anyone else give us their opinion ?

Was offered an interesting officer's fly whisk last week - didn't buy it because of condition. However, plain ball top in silver - date marked for 1917 - and on a swagger stick. At the other end a donkey's tail - dyed red - had been bound on with thread to act as a whisk. Probably with Gen. Allenby's forces in the Middle East ?

I think I hit the back button and not post - if two replies come-up, we know why !! Both are similar to my idea of 'early' Aust. slouch hat badges. The one Laurence posted is very close to the ones I showed. I'm looking forward to reading the ref. link. Tom got the 'chook' ref. - do other Countries call them this ? I think Australia is the only place in the World, where to call someone a 'bastard' is a term of affection !!!

Leigh - in the later part of the 19th. C. there was a famous magazine called - 'Vanity Fair'. Can't remember if it was weekly or, monthly - but, every issua had a full page caricature of famous people. Usually Services or, politicians. The artist was 'SPY' and they became famous and valuable. I think your two very good caricatures are in the style of Spy - who was probably long dead by WW1. Do you know where they were published. If you could prove a link to this magazine then they would be quite valuable.

Very interesting post - I've never even heard of this type of head dress. Could someone please do an exhumation and show a picture ?

This swagger stick was carried by the same Sth. African Army officer who owned the sash kris. He was in the Malayan Police during the terrorist problems in the 1950's and 60's and was an asst. Supt. The fittings are silver and the top has crossed kris' of the Police at that time. I'm not sure if they still use this badge - would be nice if one of our members living in Malasia could let us have some up-to-date pictures of badges, medals and uniform ??? Interestingly, the stick has an insciption in the silver to an asst. supt. who was Chinese. I suspect our man 'appropriated' it from somewhere !

This belonged to a Sth. African Army officer, who was seconded to the Malay Police during the terrorist problems of the 1950's and 60's. It is of course a kris and in this small size is probably for evening dress wear. They would have worn a sarong, with a coloured sash, and this was probably to be pushed into this sash. The scabbard - or, sheath, is made from two local woods and the lower part is cut out from the top. The blade is nothing special - although has a pattern in the moulding. The small 'V' in the top of the blade is a 'leftover' from bigger weapons and was intended to try and catch the blade of your opponent. Look at a kukri to see this clearly. The small brass moulding around the base of the grip, represents a lotus flower - traditional in the Far East. An attractive item.

Thanks,Mick. We had hoped to dig deeper into early Aussie badges - your info. is a help. You had better tell them what a 'chook' is ?

Another good pair, Darrell. The Natal bar is always sought after and commands a premium.

May I say it is a pleasure having you post to our sub-forum - I hope you will add from time to time, your knowledge would be most helpful.I'm sure Leigh, when he sees this, will be pleased. The info. you give on pubs and armbands is great and I - for one - had never heard of this. At least by the time I joined we had police coaches provided - must have been quite a sight to see 30 or more police on the underground. You mention the East End - please tell me you were at Bethnal Green ? That would be a great co-incidence and I would have lots of questions for you !!!