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Everything posted by peter monahan
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Boer War Kimberley Trio
peter monahan replied to azyeoman's topic in Great Britain: Orders, Gallantry, Campaign Medals
Veeery nice! A medal which doesn't turn up all that often. -
Sadly, it was the case as long ago as the 1990s that a significant percentage of the 'WWII German' badges, particularly the rarer ones but even many common issues, were outright fakes, had been assembeled after the war from genuine parts or were in some other way 'not as advertised.' I don't know nearly enough to guess what % of today's items fall into these categories but I would be very very careful were I to start collecting in this field.
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I have to agree. I wasn't able to read the scrolls on the Winnipeg Police flag but one wonders what a police force would consider a 'battle honour'. In their case, I hope it doesn't include the infamous general Strike of 1919! Colours seem a very odd affectation for what is now a 'paramilitary' organization only in the loosest sense. Flashier uniforms I can understand but this is just odd!
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Uncategorised Finds of the day
peter monahan replied to Stuka f's topic in Non Military Collectibles & Antiques
Aren't they always thrilled when we show up with our treasures? Mine is! -
Like the now infamous swastika, the fasces have a long and generally proud hsitory. In Roman times, and presumably in the minds of the Belgian Army, they make a nice visual shorthand for 'We enforce the law.', a perfectly logical motto for a military court, especially one with the power of life and death. Mussolini and his ilk, of course, emphasized the 'force' at the expense of 'law' but that does not completely negate the historical precedents and meaning.
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South American bow and arrows
peter monahan replied to Stuka f's topic in Non Military Collectibles & Antiques
I hear what you're saying about well intentioned government biologists! Up here, a few years ago, the 1,000 animal herd of Wood Buffalo, in a park the size of Rhode Island, got brucellosis from ranchers' cattle. Gov't solution? Wipe them all out, start over with 'pure animals'. Really, guys? And if you miss just one...? 'Oh, we won't.' It also sounds as if 'taboo' is the anthropological equivalent of the archaeologists 'ritual object' - 'We have no freaking idea what this does/is fo, so we'll call it religious, 'cause religion is mysterious!' I assume from your comments that you DO speak at least one local language, which I would have assumed was more or less a requirement for serious field work. I taught for 2 years, with our version of the Peace Corps, in Nigeria. In English, one of the 4 official languages there, but could just barely feed myself and get gas for my bike once off the beaten track. Can't imagine discussing anything of substance without some command of the local bhat. In fact, our local missionaries, had 30 years in country and their greatest asset was a colloquial knowledge of Hausa, the local lingua franca. -
A great story! And he was from Beeton, just down the road from my home in Alliston. A couple local boys joined the Cyclists, who often did duty in towns, helping the MPs direct traffic and man check points, so his police experience would have proved useful, though the bicycles themsleves were less of a success. 'A good cop'!
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South American bow and arrows
peter monahan replied to Stuka f's topic in Non Military Collectibles & Antiques
I am always fascinated and impressed when an expert expounds on his or her speciality. I would have assumed that wood points were used, as you say, because they were readily replaceable but not being a bow hunter would not have made the leap to 'things that get away'. On the same note, notched points for monkeys make sense. I assume that the hunters track the animal, even if the arrow is recovered, till it dies? The harpoon for caiman is quite similar to some of the similar implements used for seal and narwhale by Canadian indigenous groups. Parallel evolution works for tools as well as animals! -
A truly lovely thing! Thanks for sharing. I have seen the photos from the '50s and recall wondering about the unifroms - in great shape for the 40 year old souvenirs of a defeated army, I thought, but I know nothing of French uniforms and didn't pursue the thought. Glad to see an expert such as yourself chime in on them. Peter
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Egyptian ancient art anyone
peter monahan replied to Stuka f's topic in Non Military Collectibles & Antiques
Cool! I have a friend who is an archaeologist [and Biblical scholar] who did all his digs in the Middle East - Lebanon and Israel - andf he had wonderful stories of the 'ancient coins' one can buy there. "Oh, wait, effendi. Let me get you a resh one from the back.' But I believe these items - 'ushabti', apparently - are common enough that they're not worth faking. I look at those and the occasional bronze arrowhead with lust from time to time but have so far resisted the urge. Please post more pics when you can. -
I showed this to a couple of people, who all oowed and ahhed over it. Not, however, without noting that the whole 'reproduction' thing is a minefield when one goes back a century. A good friend makes quality reproduction uniforms, many of them French Imperial, for museums and historical units world wide and some of his efforts have found their way onto the market as 'authentic'. They're not, of course, and there are ways to tell - he typically machine stitches anything not visible when a coat is in wear, for example, but not everyone is as savvy or a shonest as The Armoury.
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Welcome to the GMIC, Stalker. And thank you for the identification. Given that you read Russian, you could become a popular guy here! Rick, that's a stunner! Thanks for posting it. Peter
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Mnangagwe Inauguration and medals of officers present
peter monahan replied to KC13's topic in Africa
Cheers, Megan.. I knew you'd know. And Happy New Year.