William1

Hello Mervyn In my Boer War collecting days, I owned a "hyposcope" similar to this, except that it was painted khaki and had quaint instructions on "observing from behind "cover"". It was obviously meant for service use, except that it would have been pretty useless as it was only about eight inches long. Unfortunately I haven't kept a photo, but I think the date 1900 was on it somewhere (can't be 100% sure as this was a good 15 years ago, but I recall having a sound reason for keeping it in my Boer War collection). I collect WW1 British kit and have several periscopes of the period; this one clearly was not. Regards, W.

Hi Stuart Thanks for the welcome. Yes, I sold Chris the helmet when I broke up my Boer War collection. I can't remember what he gave me for it but it was a long time ago, and I don't begrudge Chris his profit, as it is his living after all! Plus C is one of the very few dealers I trust. I have some photos of the other helmets somewhere, pre-digital and not on my PC. I will try to find them and scan them in at some point. The Sea Hrs one was plain, no flash but nicely named and dated, 4-piece white helmet w. 4-piece cover. It was only the second one I've ever seen, the first being a Grenadier Guards' CSM, I think, dated 1897, with the Omdurman flash and clearly dead right. I wonder where that is now?! It was with a dealer called Alan Beadle. The sweatband was a bit eaten away, but it was still a remarkable piece. The Rietfontein casualty helmet was the white wicker pattern and I did not have a cover for it. I eventually found a 6-piece one that just about fitted, but never found the correct Indian cover with the wide band. I haven't seen anything in Collectors' Corner yet because I haven't yet got access to that forum. Best wishes, W.

Leigh I think the flash in post 2 is 1/4th Devons - Devonshire over 1/4 over Regiment, in green cloth on khaki drill. I once owned an example of this flash. The Barnstaple photographer adds weight to this. Regards, W.

A very nice helmet, Stuart. This was mine about 15 years ago! My Boer War collection's long dispersed but included a Seaforth Hr's helmet to a Magersfontein casualty and an Indian patt. to a Gloster's Rietfontein casualty. These days I just collect WW1 Brit items but maintain an interest in the Boer War and still have a few bits left, no headgear though. Your Lancaster helmet is a beauty. Regards, W.

The kit layout in the first post is prewar. Full dress kit, abolished at the outbreak of war, is visible; the 08 pouches lack the Sept 14 modification; and everything is neatly numbered, a practice which pretty well disappeared early on in the war. It's interesting to see how the contents of the holdall and their placing varies with the years. W.