China Golden Grain, warlord soldiers and more

[drclaw]

Nick's Kato thread in the Japan section with all those model kits was so much fun that I thought I'd add my own festive cheer for the New Year.

First up, a mandatory medal. This is a Fourth Class Golden Grain. These aren't uncommon at all but other than some enamel loss at the 11 o'clock, it's a complete set with the original embroidered cloth covered case, ribbon with rosette, and the lapel rosette.

The Golden Grain and Precious Brilliant Golden Grain were almost exclusively produced by the Central Mint in Tianjin although four branches were established at existing mints in Hankou, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Yunnan. It is possible that insignia were also produced at these branches using dies issued by the Tianjin Mint. This example has a mint mark on suspension ring which I can't quite decipher.

Sorry about the multiple images. Everytime you delete an image and save a post for some reason it keeps the original image.

Edited January 5, 2013 by drclaw

[drclaw]

Now for some fun! These are 28 mm tin soldiers.

First up, some Big Swords wielding their double handed Chinese swords. These were the Warlord's "Dare to Die" Shock Troops and supposedly the best motivated. They tended to die a lot.

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-11630-0-82339000-1357428738.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-11630-0-21863500-1357428828.jpg

[drclaw]

A field gun and machine gun. Most Warlord armies only had light artillery pieces and mountain guns.

I don't know much about the actual military hardware so if anyone knows the makers of the field and machine gun, shout out.

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-11630-0-01996800-1357428942.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2013/post-11630-0-49931500-1357428971.jpg

[drclaw]

Some employees being downsized after a recent corporate merger ....

[drclaw]

Warlord officers and a regular soldier. The officers wore better uniforms as opposed to the cheaply produced grey cotton uniforms of their men. Umbrellas were an essential kit item.

[drclaw]

Warlord cavalry on their hardy, shaggy ponies.

[drclaw]

And now something completely different ...

Hercule Poirot and the Gestapo dude from Raiders of the Lost Ark

[drclaw]

Dick Dastardly, Oddball from Kelly's Heroes and a fruity looking English officer complete with cigar

[drclaw]

For Blackadder fans, Lord Flashheart, Bob the driver, Field Marshal Haig and an unidentified British officer

[drclaw]

These mean looking ladies are my favourite. No introduction needed

[drclaw]

And Captain Mainwaring, Sergeant Wilson, Lance Corporal Jones and Private Godfrey from Dad's Army

[JapanX]

Sweet!

[claretbaron]

good medal/