south stafforshire regiment or possibly 80th regiment of foot knuckle duster

[greendick2991]

im currently serving in afghanistan, i found this knuckle duster in kabul. I know its either from the south staffordshire regiment or the 80th regiment of foot. i would like to know why its in afghanistan and anything about its origins. many thanks.

[Eric Stahlhut]

i can't help you with the history of this item, but it sure is pretty cool! thanks for sharing it

[greendick2991]

thankyou very much, i think its priceless how i stumbled on to this piece of history

[greendick2991]

any ideas what the roosters could mean?

[Chris Boonzaier]

I have no idea about the symbolism, but isnt pakistan and India really well known for brass work?

I dont know about the symbolism shown, but it is possible that the guy making it chose symbols at random.

Be careful about taking that hom with you... can cause problems in some countries ;-)

[Mervyn Mitton]

Dear Greendick - firstly, welcome to GMIC - we sincerely hope that your condition improves ! Perhaps we could use a 1st name or, nickname ?

This may have been made locally, however, it is more likely to have been made in the Base Workshops. They used to sell them to other soldiers as

souvenirs. The cockerels may be part of the Regt. Arms - or, possibly a local home link. A knuckle duster is an Offensive weapon per se - which

means it has no other purpose except as a weapon. As Chris warns this makes anyone carrying it subject to being arrested - however, you should

have no problems taking it home with the historical interest.

We have fought 4 previous campaigens in Afghanistan - you are in the 5th ! I suspect that this will be from the 1919 campaign - or, perhaps the

1930's.

Please tell us as much as you can , about yourself and the present campaign - also, how you found this piece. We will all be interested.

Best wishes Mervyn

[peter monahan]

Greendick

Indeed a very interesting piece, and puzzle. I'd say Mervyn's theory is a plausible one, though some of the truly odd stuff coming out of workshops in that part of the world it may also be bazaar work. The rooster is a sun symbol in that part of the world, apparently, and the Staffs not and crown may simply have appealed to the artist. Either way, fascinating item but not, as mentioned, one you want to have in your pocket if the MPs come calling!

[greendick2991]

firstly thankyou for your interest in this item. i use the name green dick because my name is richard green, on the nominal role its green richard, dick being short for richard, the nickname has stuck.

i am currently serving on herrick 19 i am a sniper by trade but due to rcent promotion i got tasked with a different role me and one other cpl who is recce by trade, are working with the us and itallians, providing sercurity while they escort the afghans around the country for leave, graduatons ect. we use civilian chartered aircrafts and fly to harat, kandihar, bastion and dwya. on a daily basis we drive out in a convoy and pick up and search 100 - 120 afghans and escort them to the millitary airport. we then provide force protection on the civilian aircarfts to the 4 various locations. we have a company in mob pice providing sercurity while they close that base and a company in lashi gar duri junction that are on operations with the ana weekly. we also have an element working at camp shurabat next to camp bastion mentoring and training the ana.

I found this piece in the airport in a glass cabinet as it had been Confiscated from someone. i was imiately drew to it fro the south staffordshire capbadge and asked if i cpould have it. reluctantly i was given it. since ive found this i have been searching the internet trying to find its origins using various millitary history websites, black smith forums and various forums such as this one.

i value the information you have gave me and if there are any more questions regarding this tour of afghan or my last tour in 2010 with my regiment i would be glad to answer.

[peter monahan]

Richard

Thanks for the bio.! Sounds an interesting life out there right now. I assume the Afghanis you're protecting are Army or Police types who need protecting from the Taliban, or have I got that completely wrong?

Many eons ago I was much taken with Rudyard Kipling's Indian tales and that began a lifelong interest in the British Indian Army and the North West Frontier [now in Pakistan and still a frontier, of course]. However I suspect I'll never get to see the Khyber Pass and perhaps just as well! I'm guessing that the reality on the ground these days is far less romantic than the history books would lead one to believe!

I take it, from your interest in the Staffs that you're with the 3rd Mercians out there? Good luck to you, mate, and Giod bless!

Peter