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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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Medal of Honour, Provincial Exhibition, NWP (India) - British Empire
Marked on the obverse: 'MEDAL OF HONOR 1867' with 'PROVINCIAL EXHIBITION N.W.P.' [for Province] and 'THE HONBLE E. DRUMMOND, LT.GR.' [for Governor]. It is neatly engraved around the rim: 'SUPDT. ROORKEE WORKSHOPS', probably for the railway workshops in the town of Roorkee in Northern India.
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Revolutionary bronze medal - French
This bronze medal (3.5 x 5 cms) was struck to commemorate the founding of the National Guard in Lyons, similar to the National Guard in Paris. 'Federation Martiale' with 'Temple de la Concorde' below is on one side, with the coat of arms of the city of Lyons and 'Force Union et Prosperite' on the other side, with 'XXX MAI MDCCXC' for 1790.
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St Johann volunteer fire brigade medal - German
This medal, struck in silver, with the rose of Lippe borne on a shield under a municipal crown, was issued for 15 years' service, indicated by the 15 between the words 'Treue' and 'Jahrige'. Lippe is a small state near the Danish border and presumably St Johann is a town within Lippe.
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Bavarian Ludwigs Kreuz, bronze - German
Like its Prussian counterpart, this was awarded in WW1 for welfare and hospital work to civilians. However, this example appears to be made of bronze with all its original patina. The ribbon should have blue horizontal stripes in the centre white field, so this is close but not quite correct. Otherwise, the cross is in good condition.
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Hessian guard shako plate - German
This (9cm diamater) appears to be composed of two elements, the backing plate being the star of the Prussian Guard, but the central crown being more like the ducal crown of Hesse, which one finds on Hessian belt buckles in brass and anodised steel. My guess is that this is an extempore piece made in WW1 for Hessian Garde Jaeger battalions.
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Pair of Electoral bonnet cufflinks - German
The Electors of the Holy Roman Empire elected the Emperor on the death of the previous incumbent. At its height, there were about 60 Electoral princes and bishops within the Empire, all of whom had the right to vote in the imperial election, but, by the end of the 19th century, it had become a formality with only heraldic significance.
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Bullion badge, Civil Service Rifles - British
This could be a side cap badge or an officer's collar insignia off the full dress parade tunic of the pre-1914 era. My guess is that the two badges were identical and that the tunic badge was simply used on the side cap.
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Tube of SS issue frost salve - German
Marked: 'Frostschutsssalbe // Wehrkreissanitarspack VI // Osnabruck // SS-Packung', also with 'Leere Tuben sammeln' ('collect the empty tubes' - the original recyclers!), this stuff was used to protect the lips and nose from the cold and possibly, in extreme conditions, the feet and hands. It would have been most useful on the Russian Front.
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Royal Horse Artillery ball buttons, officer's - British
These buttons (each just under 1.5cm) are single-piece officer buttons as on the bum freezer uniform jacket worn by this elite unit. They are made of gilt brass, have the king's crown, and are maker marked Firmin & Sons on the reverse. They are in good condition and have all their original gilt finish.
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Dorset Yeomanry epaulettes, other ranks - British
These are typical of the first half of the 19th century, when epaulettes still had a practical function of defending the shoulder from a sabre blow. One button remains, marked 'Blandford Troop YC', one of the DY troops of this period.
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