militaria
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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Signum Laudis medal, silver - Austrian
Instituted in 1890 for outstanding services in war and peace, this medal used the red and white horizontally striped ribbon of the Medal for Bravery (as in this case) when awarded in wartime to officers, or a plain red ribbon for non-military persons of rank. In peacetime, the plain red ribbon was used in all cases.
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Fascist commercial union medal for Ferrara - Italian
This is a commercial award for window dressing from the Fascist union of Ferrara, specifically for the best window display ('Mostra Vetrine'), as engraved on the back, along with the date of the Fascist era, 'A-XIII'. The front has a magnificent image of the fortress at Ferrara, which is a lost-wax casting with a certain amount of hand finish.
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Kaiser Karl Coronation medal as King of Hungary - Hungarian
This commemorates the coronation of Karl IV in Budapest on 30 December 1916. He was the last of the Habsburgs to rule as King of Hungary and Emperor of Austria. The medal shows him on horseback in front of a gathering of Hungarian nobility, wearing the St Stephen's crown with the bent cross. He reigned for two years (until 1918).
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German-Austrian lapel badge - German
This medal commemorates the summer of 1914, when Austria and Germany went to war against the world. It measures 26mm across. Beneath the image of the two emperors, Kaiser Bill and Kaiser Franz-Josef, there is the inscription 'viribus-unitis [with combined forces] // 1914'. Viribus-unitis was also the name of the famous Austrian battleship.
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German-Austrian lapel badge - German
This medal commemorates the summer of 1914, when Austria and Germany went to war against the world. It measures 25mm across. Beneath the image of the two emperors, Kaiser Bill and Kaiser Franz-Josef, there is the inscription 'viribus-unitis [with combined forces] // 1914'. Viribus-unitis was also the name of the famous Austrian battleship.
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Cinq Sol bronze coin - French
This coin was probably minted to commemorate the arrival of the Federes from Brest and Marseilles at the end of July 1792. It was issued by Monneron Freres of Paris and was valid currency in the Departements of Paris, Rhone, Loire, Gard (as stamped on the edge) at the time of the French Revolution.
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East Lancashire Regiment officer's dress cap badge - British
This design, introduced in 1896, mirrors the issue badge, but in a silver as opposed to white brass finish. The crown is the king's pattern, hence the dating, although these officer's badges were produced up to 1940 or so.
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Hindenburg Cross without swords - German
Instituted 13 July 1934 by President Hindenburg for all service personnel in WW1. Front line troops received the 'swords' type, other elements got it without swords, both in die struck iron with a bronze finish. Widows and parents of the dead got it in blackened iron. The reverse is maker marked 'CW'.
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Scouting jamboree medal, Frankston, Victoria - Australian
This medal is signed by Stokes on both sides, with the traditional image of Baden-Powell on the front, and a boomerang and a kangeroo on the reverse, together with the scouting fleur-de-lis and the date. It is struck in silver (unhallmarked) and is in near EF condition, with one small scratch to the obverse.
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Crimea medal miniature (Quartermaster J Swaine) - British
This fine little miniature medal, complete with its original silk ribbon, is beautifully named on the edge 'J.SWAINE.QAr.Mr.2D.BATTn. THE.RL.REGt.' (the 1st Royal Regiment of Foot, the Royal Scots).
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