Strapper

Mervyn, do you have any information on SAP issued knob kerrie's. For African constables during the 20's to 60's. I suppose the African version of a truncheon and mass produced like the Army and police assagai's. I would be interested if you have any knowledge of these. Regards David

I remember some police in the Transvaal in the 80's, not "Transvaal Police" and they were nasty pieces of work. A lot thinner than the fatties we have today. You wouldn't want to spent a night at the Rosettenville police station on a friday night, nor Cleveland or Brixton either. :-)

The difference being the lines on the hand guard of the swords. Windu's has no lines as far as I can see, non visible front or back. Not a major difference, but one all the same Regards David

I truly believe this is a scam....How could Bin Laden be "Buried At Sea" Even the the dumbist navy guy knows that Sh*t floats.......

Looks like the have the Martini Henry Action Rifle, and the pouch looks large for handcuffs, so I reckon ammo.

Thanks Arthur, I found the Hendrik Loots doccie and it is interesting, but only seems to do half a job by not listing recipients. i will seach for newspaper records thats a great idea. I would also like to sort out the ribbon colour issue that Mervyn has raised. Regards David

Hi Mervyn, The medal actually has a tan and red ribbon, left side red and tan on the right. The medals were issued un-named that I have assertained, but what made me think was the Numbered lapel badge. It would make an interesting research topic. Jo'burg has a medal issued as well, but it seems not to have the "status" of the Pretoria one. It would be really cool to find one that is attributable. Thanks for info. Regards David

I have two Great war medals to a Pte GR Nisbet an it came with a pretoria citizens service medal and a small badge saying "981 Returned Soldier" Is there a medal role for these unofficial medals and would it be possible to find out if Private Nesbit was given this medal and if his returned soldier number corresponds. Anyone who can help? Regards Strapper

Totally correct Paul. i think without further ado Kapten_windu should be reduced to a Non com officer, lets say Corporal. From now on Corporal_windu, stand up when addressed by a senior officer and do not bring disrupute on this forum or fellow enlisted men........DISMISSED.......:-) Now that takes me back a bit. Regards Strapper

Other than the GSM and DSM there seem to be more"Specimen" medals or "copy" than real ones. these unissued medals seem to have become accepted by collectors as time has gone by. Real manufactures can still make fakes. I think it is important to remember what we as collectors buy into is not so much the "metal" of a medal, but it's provenance and history. I have alot of Rhodie Specimins as such, they are reminiscent of a period, but have non of the balls of a real attributable medal or group. It may be a bit purist, but it is that connection to history, being able to own a part of time or battles we were never part of. Now I'm getting way to sentimental about stuff. I'll just shut up and stare at my photo album. Long live Fort Victoria. Strapper

What an absolutley fantastic piece of history. Reminds me why i collect these type of things. The stories, letters and newspaper clippings bring it to life. Thanks for sharing that.

Thanks Mervyn, I was looking at images used for De Wet on medals and orders. He always seems to be shown with riding crop raised. But your right there are a myriad of Afrikaans societies with badges. It will remain unknown for the time being. Thanks David

This is a button hole badge with orange sun rays behind a figure that looks a lot like the traditional depiction of De Wet on medals and badges. Anyone seen one the same or knows its origins. No makers marks of any sorts. Thanks Strapper

Excuse my ignorance about the process, but shouldn't a die be a mirror image of the badge? Cheers Strapper PS. Please ignore my comment, I see there are TWO sides on the hat Die. Silly me.......

Who is This scotsman, or which unit

I recently bought some slides that were stated as "engineering in the desert" I took some pics using my window as a light box and then converted them to positive. I found that they are actually of the building of the Scottish memorial at magersfontein. Wow! i have two boxes of these, showing natives building and raising sections of the monument. The final one is shown here and detail will follow. Are these worth anything? Regards Strapper

Just to add to that, I'm thinking the initials are M for mary and G for George Maybe dropped at celebration of their 25th Wedding. Still being a war on, the red cross could be there to show their Patrionage of the organization. Still thinking....

It must be a 25th anniversary reminder. All we need to do is find out what happened on 6 July 1893, To do with the red cross possibly British Arm there of. Princess mary was married on 6 July 1893 and supporters of the Red Cross which must have been quite young then.

Looks like an Original 1914-1918 Red Cross issue Surf Board. Very rare, very rare indeed. 50 years before the beach boys!! :-) Dave

VD? When he got the decoration he probably told everyone the Queen had just given him VD. OOOPs..thats not funny is it.

Mervyn, I do know about the rules with battlefields and monuments, but the beach?...Drat I'll be digging up tin cans in my own garden.

Hi Mervyn, sorry it's just my bad sense of humour. Mary Shelley created Frankenstien in her Victorian Novel. She wrote the book. The first name is David and I'm on the East rand in Johannesburg. I never cease to be amazed at the quality and amount of posts you make, not to mention your collection. I'm moving to the eastern Cape next week and have just bought a metal detector...Hoping those Eastern Cape border wars will offer up something of interest. My interests are primarily in South African Militaria, history, but as you know, the more you learn, the more you get interested in.Hope to post some Eastern Cape finds soon, alot of Vetrans retired down there and you find nice medal groups and stuff. Sorry about the attempt at humour. Cheers David

Hi Mervyn... does Mary Shelley know you've got these...:-)