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.
Here is a selection of militaria from this category: | [ Show all ] |
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Luckenbooth badge, Inverness hallmarks - Scottish
Maker marked PGW for Peter G Wilson (1866-1916) and INS for Inverness, this badge dates to approximately 1880, the construction detail of the hinge being the give-away here. Earlier in the century, Luckenbooth badges (sweetheart brooches) were normally one-third of the size of this (just over 7.5 cm from top to bottom).
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Foot Guards gorget, 1801 pattern - British
Regarding the regiment, the Grenadiers had a very specific gorget with multiple pierce work on both wings, the Scots Guards normally had '3rd Guards' engraved on both sides at the tips, therefore, by elimination, this is almost certainly a Coldstream Guards example. The Dighton watercolours of the period appear to confirm this.
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Welsh harpist's badge, unmarked silver - British
This interesting badge is a lost wax casting which has had the strings of the harp and the Welsh motto ('RHYDD-DID SADWEDD CYFF.LLGARWCH') engraved. The style of construction would suggest some royal appointment, as the use of the royal crown (in this case the shape is Hanoverian) was fairly carefully guarded at this period.
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Foot Guards gorget, 1816 pattern - British
Regarding the regiment, the Grenadiers had a very specific gorget with multiple pierce work on both wings, the Scots Guards normally had '3rd Guards' engraved on both sides at the tips, therefore, by elimination, this is almost certainly a Coldstream Guards example. The Dighton watercolours of the period appear to confirm this.
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Infantry chasseur officer's gorget - French
This is the classic French gorget, the shape inherited from the old Napoleonic examples, which usually carried the eagle. With the Bourbon restoration in 1815, the lilies replaced the eagle. Under Napoleon III, a silver Napoleonic eagle replaced the lilies in 1854. The hunting horn indicates a light infantry unit / chasseurs.
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