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This field covers uniforms, headdress and badges from the 18th century through to Third Reich items from the 20th century. Much of this material can be seen in context in contemporary prints/drawings and other art work, eg bronzes and photographs. I keep a very sharp eye out for, and a photographic record of, all the particularly convincing Third Reich fakes that come my way. Good reference books include: The Emperor's Coat by Rest, Ortner & Ilming (Verlag Militaria) on Austro-Hungarian militaria, Great War period; Shoulder-belt plates and buttons by Parkyn on British militaria; two volumes by King on British military headdress badges. The National Army Museum (Royal Hospital Road, London SW3) has an excellent bookshop and display covering the British side of this great subject.
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VR lapel pin in pinchbeck - British
This could be a commemorative piece for any of the late Victorian Jubilee celebrations. Alternatively, it is just possibly an ordinary patriotic piece with no particular date. Her long reign spanned from 1837-1901, but my guess is that this was definitely made towards the latter end of it.
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Lapel pin with Spanish Royal Arms, silver - British
This shows the Spanish Royal Arms (probably those of Alphonso XIII, king of Spain from 1886 until his death in 1941 in exile in Rome) surrounded by the Collar of the Golden Fleece, all in enamel. These little badges may have been made to order by royalists in exile during the Spanish Civil War.
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KuK enamelled commemorative buttonhole - Austrian
This has a German inscription to the effect of, 'Let your heart stick to God and your fists to the enemy'. It has a maker's mark, 'Kriegshilfs Bureau'. This badge (2.4cm across) would have been sold to raise money for the war effort. It is struck in gilding metal, with a black and mustard yellow (not as in photo) enamel finish.
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KuK 'tinnie' commemorating the Central Alliance - Austrian
This badge, with the logo 'Viribus Unitis', commemorates the early years of the war, 1914-1915 struck in a laurel wreath between the soldiers. The enamelled arms are those of Germany, Austria and Hungary.
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1914-15 Commemorative silver brooch - Austrian
This is a generic commemorative piece for the first two years of WW1: a platform with three swordsmen over a base of eagles scouring the landscape (for enemies). 'In memoriam eternum' is in relief round the edge, together with the dates in Latin numerals. The triple emblems of Turkey, Austria and Germany are over the central figure.
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KuK Landwehr officer's hat badge - Austrian
This magnificent badge is struck in gilding metal, which has then been electro-plated and enamelled. It shows the imperial double eagle with the Austrian coat of arms in the centre and the logo 'Algem. K.K. Landwehr-Abzeichen'. The Landwehr were the reserve units of the old Austrian infantry, based locally in the garrison towns.
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Enamel buttonhole with Dolomite motif - Austrian
These were sold to raise money for the displaced mountain people of Tyrol and the Dolomites, who became refugees due to the war with Italy, hence the Latin inscription 'Pro fugis auxilium' round the edge with a Tyrol eagle at the top and two small edelweiss on each side, with 1914-1916 between, and the central die-struck image of the Dolomites.
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Bundesrepublik horse breeding award, gold class - German
This would have been mounted on a wooden plaque, hence the holes at the corners. The design is taken from the Nazi era award, whose main difference is a capital 'R' directly under the middle feet of the horse.
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War Service cross with swords, 2nd class - German
This could well be a ground find, or perhaps dug out of someone's attic, because only maybe 25% of the original gilt finish survives. However, it has the number 74 punched into the ring, which indicates the maker Carl Meurer & Sohn from Oberstein. These crosses rarely have any maker's mark, which makes up somewhat for the condition.
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Boer War commemorative ashtray - British
This little tinware ashtray (4.25 x 3.25 inches) has patriotic motifs printed on it, together with the image of Major General French flanked by soldiers with lions at their feet. The maker's logo, A. Lloyd & Sons Ltd London, can be read just above 'Soldiers of the Queen' (with my magnifying glass, at least!).
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