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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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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Officer's shako plate - Peruvian
This would have been worn on one of the early Peruvian shakos in the late 1820s to commemorate the surrender of the Spaniards and the liberation of Peru in 1824 and the founding of the independent state of Peru in the following year. It probably represents the third infantry regiment.
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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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Metropolitan Police inspector's tipstaff - English
This is almost certainly an unmarked Parker Field product, made under contract for the Metropolitan Police. These were standardised c 1840 and the design lasted until c 1880 when they were phased out and replaced by the warrant card c 1890. The arresting officer simply touched the crown on the suspect's shoulder - a formal notice of arrest.
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Spanish Cross in gold - German
In April 1939, this award was instituted to commemorate the bravery of the German volunteers in the Spanish civil war. 1,126 awards in gold with swords were granted. It is marked L56 on the reverse for the maker Robert Hauschild of Pforzheim.
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