Mervyn Mitton

I had forgotten about this frame of 'cut-outs' for H.M.S. Victory. They also came from Mauritius and the work is of a high quality. Go quite well with the full model. There is also a cut-out of the USS Constitution -I will post this another time.

Hi ! Yes, you're quite right, uniformed police (in plain clothes) were used to drive the Squad's cars. They had to be Class 1 drivers - which was for area cars and special vehicles. I was only a class 3 - Panda cars, the patrol Hillman and the van. A friend of mine Mike Sutherland - long before your day - was one of them - quite an experience to have him drive - fast, safe but, no messing around. Trips used to take half the time ! He finished his days at King's Cross looking after the Station vehicles.

I would not normally 'intrude' on this forum, as I am not of your order - however , this sword may be of some interest ? I am told it is for The Order of Constantine, but you will know more about this ?

Another in the series of early Zulu weapons and ornaments. This is an arm band - worn around the muscle on the upper arm. There would be one on each arm and - if he could afford it - larger ones on each ankle. They are made of brass and are heavy - about 1lb. (450gms). The date for this would be approx. the middle half of the 19th. C. - say 1879 period and the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. The Zulus are skilled metal workers and had their own Guild system (or, caste) to work on spears etc.. King Shaka became King in 1816 and introduced silver and goldsmiths from Zimbabwe to work on the precious metals which were plentiful in Natal (I'm still looking !!). However, his chief 'witch' - a small woman - told him it would be bad luck, so they were all killed. Cast and wrought iron continued and their spears are sought after from around the World - in my view some of the best designed. H.Rider Haggard wrote many books using the Zulus as his guide and the old film - was it Alan Quartermain (?) showed Shaka in the guise of 'Umbopa' and his chief witch - called Gargol. ******NEW PICTURE BELOW******

Not a commonly seen item - although worn in Full Dress by Generals and Field Marshalls in the British and Allied Forces. The best place to see one being worn is H.R.H. The Prince Phillip - when wearing his uniform as a Field Marshall. (Now a discontinued rank) This splendid example belonged to a major general in the Rhodesian army -( now Zimbabwe). In the 18th. century general's wore a folded type sash - made from either silk or, a type of netting - this is the modern decendent. The belt is beautifully made and of very high quality in both materials and workmanship - I will show the inside and it is clear that it is all hand made.

Good buy , Jonathan - also good that you have the dress and the field scabbards. Is that an auction sticky label on the pigskin - why do they have to do this - it damages the leather.

I don't suppose that there are many people in the World - at least , those of a certain age - who haven't heard of the Metropolitan Police Flying Squad ? What a lot won't know, is the reason for their establishment. In the early 1930's a number of gangs set-up in London, robbing shop, banks and similar targets. They always stole powerful, fast cars for their get-aways - a smart move since the police vehicles of the day hadn't a hope of catching them - and, one has to remember, wireless cars barely existed and used morse code ! There were a lot of committees - a lot of head scratching - and eventually they decided to set-up a serious crime squad, to be based at New Scotland Yard. Because the current vehicles were out classed, they 'splurged' and bought a number of Bentley cars - powerful and faster than almost anything then on the road. The 'nick name' The Flying Squad took firm root with the British public and has never been forgotten. And, Yes ? They did have the desired effect and stopped the crime wave. Their famous badge - the swooping eagle , is shown on the plaque. The elite unit still exists and has , virtually the same job - serious crime - however, they don't get Bentley's any more.

There is a wonderful museum in London which shows ethnographic items from around the World. I will find their address and put on a thread. Mervyn.

Dan - I know this an old topic , but I have only just seen it ! I don't have to confirm it is an AK47 - I think everyone would have instant recognition. We see quite a few of them - picked up in Angola and Rhodesia - I may be completely wrong , but I think it is the Romanian version. There were quite a number of different patterns , but, most have the wire-cutter on the blade and scabbard. There was an oval hole at the bottom of the blade - this fitted over a lug on the scabbard to give it a scissor action which was very effective on barbed wire. The Romanian pattern did not have this - but there were others, so perhaps someone else will have input ? Mervyn

Brian - I could be totally wrong on this - but no one else has had a 'go'. I don't think it's a spear - as in a sharp pointed instrument. More likely to be something for cutting-up an animal. Two peoples spring to mind - the Congolese, I have seen something similar and they cut-up Hippo carcases. More likely - particularly where you live - could it be Innuit (Eskimo). They would have the same need for whales and seals. If you can establish Canadian origin - which should not be difficult - with the pattern, it could be quite valuable. There must be a special museum? Mervyn

Thankyou both for your time and trouble - I was completely baffled ! I shall follow the info up. Mervyn

Your help will be appreciated. I am told this is a Meritorious Honour Award. I have been able to find out virtually nothing about it - which Unit issued it and what for ? Does it have any value? The box is stamped United States Of America.( a little out of focus - sorry.)

Good board of South African bullion cap badges. Top: Officer SA - RN Reserve 1913 - 20 Left: RN- Vol Res (S.A.) Petty Officer 1936 - 52 Centre: SA Petty Officer 1953 -59 Right: RN - SA Chief Petty Officer 1939 - 45 The SA Navy was very much under the influence of the RN during this period - so, I don't think there is much difference.

I can't see the crown - could you do a close-up?

Leigh - I agree with you about the helmet being awkward and heavy - but no way could they get it away from me ! I was asked to consider C.I.D. - no way, I was proud to be a foot P.C. I think I have mentioned this in previous posts - all police officers are warrant officers - in the sense that they hold The Queen's (or King's) Warrant , to perform their duties. This goes back hundreds of years to when all power was authorised by the Monarch. My Warrant number was 158,277 meaning that I was that number of officers since the first one marched out of New Scotland Yard in 1829 !! That is history in the truest meaning. I wonder what number they are up to now ?

You have a wonderfull collection Darrell - no wonder we have trouble finding QSA's ! Do you source them from around the World ?

Looking good Thomas - although it's a pity they didn't open direct. Look forward to seeing more.

Now - I fully agree with you !! I hadn't realised that the uniform had already, changed so drastically. When I last visited the flat, it was Sept. 2007 and in the whole month I was there, I only saw ONE uniformed officer. We mustn't try to live in the past - however, it is sad that so much is changing - often , for the sake of change.