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Click here to subscribeIndian Army. 86th Carnatic Infantry Officer’s pagri badge circa 1903-22 A good scarce die-stamped example. Silver multi pointed star mounted with gilt crowned circlet inscribed “Carnatic Infantry”; within the circlet, in silver “86” on a burnish gilt ground. Stout pagri pin to reverse. Gilt finish with some wear. GC
Indian Army. 34th Sikh Pioneers Officer’s pagri badge. A good post 1903 example by Hobson & Sons, Lexington St. London. Gilt metal “sun” star mounted with silvered crowned strap inscribed “Sikh Pioneers” and with crossed axes below. “34” to the centre on a blue translucent enamel ground. Stout pagri pin to reverse. VGC
Group of five Boer War & WWI medals issued to Pte. William Charles Davis - Victoria South Africa medal with Cape Colony bar (486 RL. WT. Surrey Regt.) and Edward VII South Africa medal with 1901 & 1902 bars (486 The Queen's) with Militiaman Discharge Certificate dated 1904; three WWI medals (6009 The Queen's) with Army Discharge & Character certificates dated 1918 and 'The Queen's' cap badges and pin Condition Report Click here for further images, condition, auction times & delivery costs
A Second World War Battle of Britain and gallantry medal group, comprising Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar to Group Captain E. Norman Ryder, the cross engraved April 3rd 1940, with 1939-1945 Star and Battle of Britain clasp, Aircrew Europe Star, 1939-1945 War Medal with Oak Leaf, Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal and a Dutch Order of Orange-Nassau Knight's Cross (Military Division). The group also includes a cased Caterpillar Club badge to F/Lt E. Ryder D.F.C, Order of Orange-Nassau lapel pin, guilloche-enamelled silver RAF lapel badge retailed by Gieves of London, and an enamelled 56 Squadron lapel badge, together with two RAF Pilot's Flying Log Books covering the period August 24th 1936 until July 1963, a letter dated 1st December 1940 which accompanied the Iron Cross belonging to Feldwebel Wilhelm Erdniss, various original Wartime and later photographs, a signed Battle of Britain 50th Anniversary menu, a page of typed observations by Ryder on the Battle of Britain written 52 years in retrospect entitled 'A Tall Order', the Grant of Commander of the British Empire, signed by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, the Grant of the Order of Orange Nassau, an original charcoal and chalk framed and mounted portrait of Ryder by Captain Cuthbert Orde, dated 4th January 1941, 36 x 28 cm, and featured in his volume ‘Pilots of Fighter Command, Sixty-Four Portraits’, published 1942, together with sundry ephemera and books, including a post-War scrapbook archive pertaining to the 50th Anniversary Bleriot Air Race, containing photographs, ephemera, and pasted press clippings complied by Ryder, alongside an RAF produced film of the race, and a reel-to-reel sound tape of the dinner given for Lord Brabazon by the Royal Aero Club (for which Ryder was later Secretary General), including speeches by 'Freddie' Gough and the Duke of Edinburgh. Ryder both captained the winning team and participated in the event as a contestant. The scrap book contains many original photographs of the event and contestants, together with items such as Ryder's Competitor's License, congratulatory letters and a menu for the Celebration Dinner given by the Royal Aero Club.Edgar Norman Ryder was born at Risalpur, India on the 28th November 1914 where his father was a serving Army officer, although at the age of 10 he moved to England where he attended St. Albans School in Hertfordshire. In 1931 he joined the Royal Fusiliers at Hounslow and served until 1934 when he became a mathematics master at Tredennick School in Worcester. Two years later Ryder joined the RAF on a short service commission, first posted to 9 Flight Training School Thornaby, and then in June 1937 joining 41 Squadron at Catterick. It was from this squadron that three years later, on 3rd April 1940, Ryder took off alone in bad visibility and low cloud to investigate enemy aircraft attacking fishing boats in the North Sea off Whitby. He soon sighted a Heinkel 111 and shot it down into the sea off Redcar, the crew later being rescued by trawler. Ryder's own aircraft was hit in the exchange and he too was forced to land at sea. The spitfire he was flying immediately sank, and at a considerable depth he managed to extricate himself and struggle to the surface, where has was rescued by the trawler Alaskan, which he had been sent to defend. For this action he was awarded the DFC on 15th April 1940. This is reported to have been the first occasion on which a Spitfire was crash-landed at sea with the pilot surviving, and was also the first RAF aircraft lost due to enemy action in the defense of Great Britain during World War Two. Ryder himself however, with typical modesty, maintained that he was simply the first Spitfire pilot to be shot down during the war. In the September of 1940 Ryder and No 41 Squadron moved to Hornchurch, at which time was subject to up to five Luftwaffe raids daily. “It wasn’t long” said Ryder, then a Flight Commander “before we founded the Honourable Order of Fog Worshippers. We all bowed down, touching the ground with our foreheads three times, praying for the fog that would give us a break. Ryder recorded some of his thoughts on the Battle of Britain in a type-written document included in this lot, which he entitled 'A Tall Order'. "We had to weave our way through the lower bomber formations to gain the height to take on our true assignment - the 109 escort, and did so in line astern; this is when the weak link really became serious - if a pilot broke the line, those following would naturally follow, and the poor chap ahead of the weak link had no back cover and DID NOT KNOW IT. I lost a good friend in this fashion. […] My rule was that [new recruits] stayed with me to the point of attack, and then broke off to return to base - this to be done three times. […] One’s eyes became skinned in time, and then you could see things you had no hope of doing so in the early stages. Some would return with bullet holes in their Spits, yet professed to having seen or felt nothing, those who didn’t return - the same explanation possibly.” In November of 1940 Ryder was involved in another noteworthy incident when he shot down an Me109 piloted by Feldwebel Wilhelm Erdniss, which crash landed at Horton Park. Erdniss was arrested at the scene of the crash, where he was found attempting to bury his Iron Cross, for fear of it falling into enemy hands. Once in custody he requested that it be given to the man who had shot him down. Erdniss was aged 28, had six years’ service with the Luftwaffe and is described in the letter which accompanied the Iron Cross on its delivery to Ryder as 'a very good type, indeed rather a fine fellow’. Ryder held on to the cross until after the war, when in 1956 he sought out Erdniss in Germany and returned the decoration so graciously given. The event was captured by Movietone News footage in a segment entitled ‘War-Time Echo’ which can still be viewed via the internet. In January 1941 Ryder was given command of 56 Squadron at North Weald, moving in the role of Wing Commander to the Kenley Wing in the June of that same year. It was during this period that he was awarded a bar to his DFC, gazetted on 29th July 1941 for being ‘on operations continually since the outbreak of war and (showing) extraordinary powers of endurance.’ At Kenley his role was to lead Circus missions over Northern France, which he carried out over the summer of that year until being downed over France on the 31st October. On this date Ryder led two squadrons (485 New Zealand and 602) as a close escort to Hurricane II bombers attacking barges along the Bourboug Canal, just inland from Dunkirk. This was a low Ramrod operation, known as Circus 109. The operation was completed but Ryder’s Spitfire V (a presentation aircraft named Southland II) was hit by ground fire and he was forced to land. Ryder was captured and taken to Stalag Luft III (later the scene of the Great Escape). After six months’ captivity he was interned at Oflag XXIB, Schubin. From this latter camp Ryder managed to escape in 1943, hiding in a heavy box at the back of a truck. He was recaptured two days later when he was discovered selecting an aeroplane to steal, and was sent back to Stalag Luft III for his efforts. His final five months as POW were spent in Stalag IIIA in Luckenwald. For distinguished service as a POW Ryder received a Mention Despatches, gazetted 28th December 1945.After the war Ryder was offered a permanent commission with the RAF. He was made a member of the Order of Orange-Nassau for service with the Netherlands Air Force, and January 1958 he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire. Ryder took early retirement from the RAF on 28th October 1960 as a Group Captain, and subsequently settled in Arizona, USA with his wife Jeanne, where he died in 1995 aged 81
Constantine XI Palaeologus AR Stavraton. Constantinople, Siege of Constantinople, AD 1453. Bust of Christ facing, wearing nimbus cruciger and holding book of Gospels, IC and B to left and right / KWNCTANTINOC ΔΕCΠΟΤΗC Ο ΠΑΛΕΟΛΟΓ in the outer circle, ΘV ΧΑΡΙΤΗ ΒΑCΙΛΕΩC ΡΟΜΕΟΝ in the inner circle, crowned bust of Constantine facing, wearing maniakon. Bendall, Revue Numismatique 1991, ‘The Coinage of Constantine XI’, pp. 135-142, pl. XV, 93 (this coin). 6.78g, 23mm, 12h. Extremely Fine for this issue. Extremely Rare and of great historical importance. Purchased from Harlan J. Berk Ltd., 16 July 1990; From the Constantine XI Hoard. The reign of Constantine XI is primarily remembered for marking the end of the so-called ‘Byzantine’ Empire, the remainder of the Eastern Roman Empire that had stood for a thousand years after the fall of Rome and the West. Constantine XI succeeded his brother John VIII Palaiologos on 6 January 1449, and had reigned for only two years when the Ottoman Sultan Murad II died, being followed by his zealous nineteen year old son Mehmed II, who was obsessed with the conquest of Constantinople. A diplomatic miscalculation on the part of Constantine was seized upon by Mehmed as a convenient casus belli, and preparations for war commenced. In the winter of 1451/2 Mehmed cut off Constantinople from the Black sea by establishing a fortification on the European side of the Bosporus which together with the existing fort on the Asian side, gave the Turks complete control of the strait. Specifically, it prevented help from Genoese colonies on the Black Sea coast from reaching Constantinople. Realising that a siege was imminent, Constantine prepared his defence of the city. Despite appealing to the Pope and Western princes for aid in the defence of the city, little help came. France and England were weakened by the Hundred Years War, Spain was in the final stages of the Reconquista, the German states were wracked by infighting and Hungary and Poland had suffered a crushing defeat at Varna which they had not recovered from. In the end only a few soldiers from the northern Italian city states arrived, together with some adventurers and independent companies. Any hope of help from Constantine’s brothers in Morea was dashed by an Ottoman invasion of the peninsula intended to pin down their troops. In the winter of 1452 Mehmed arrived with his army at Constantinople, and the siege of the city began. Greatly depopulated over the years, Constantinople was now a city of just 50,000 inhabitants, with an army of only 7,000 to defend them. Arrayed against Constantine was a force at least ten times larger than his, with state of the art artillery provided by the gunsmith Orban. After a siege of fifty-three days and determined fighting, the city fell. When all hope had faded, according to Michael Critobulus (writing later in Mehmed's service) Constantine tore off his imperial regalia so as to let nothing distinguish him from any other soldier and led his remaining men in a last charge, perishing in the fighting. Struck during the siege of Constantinople, the present coin is illustrative of how far the empire had fallen. Its fabric is crude, struck on recycled silver from church altar vessels in order to pay mercenaries, and the quality of the artistry no better than the worst barbaric imitative issues of the migration period, yet the historical importance of these extremely rare coins cannot be overstated. 29 May 1453 is often cited as end of the late Middle Ages of the post-classical era, and the start of the early-modern period. The siege coinage of Constantine XI can thus rightly considered to be the last ‘ancient’ coins.
Selection of Enamel Sweetheart Brooches and OCA Badges, consisting of silver and enamel Tank Corps (damaged pin), RAMC on mother of pearl, silver and enamel RAC, brass and enamel RASC, silver and enamel Royal Engineers, enamel 14th army, brass and enamel HMS Vanguard, Coldstream Guards association, gilt Warwickshire yeomanry, gilt and enamel North Staffordshire OCA, plus others. Various conditions. (32 items)
WW2 British Made Czechoslovakian Army in Exile Badges, consisting of white metal Field Ambulance example with pin back fitting to the reverse, white metal Artillery with pin back fitting to the reverse and brass Army example with pin back fitting to the reverse. All three badges were made by H W Miller Ltd, Birmingham and have his makers mark to the reverse. (3 items)
Selection of Sweetheart Brooches, from various periods and constructions, including gilt and enamel 4th Battalion Northamptonshire regiment, Hallmarked silver KRRC, sterling silver and enamel RAMC, brass and enamel Royal Engineers, brass Rifle Brigade, Bakelite backed Reconnaissance Corps, brass and enamel Loyal North Lancashire regiment, brass Royal Marines Light Infantry, brass and enamel on bar South Wales Borderers, brass and enamel 5th Battalion Bedfordshire regiment, New Zealand brass and enamel on rifle, gilt and enamel Durham Light Infantry, brass Dorsetshire regiment, brass 4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards, brass Army Cyclist Corps, plus others. Some rank pips and other badges also. Most are complete with pin fittings and in good condition but some have damage or pieces missing. (37 items)
9ct Gold Royal Army Service Corps Sweetheart Brooch, fine example in the form of the regimental badge with blue enamel centre and red enamel crown. Marked 9CT to the reverse and complete with pin fitting. Accompanied by a gold EIIR period RAF crowned eagle tie pin, stamped to the pin (not clear) and a gold and white enamel miniature foreign order. (3 items)
A COLLECTION OF GERMAN SS MEMORABILIA to include an office desk weight, an officer's cap eagle and cap death's head, a packeted soldier's field issue condom, two SS ID tags, a death's head vesta case, a Nazi army belt buckle, an SD arm triangle, a pair of SS enlisted men's shoulder tabs, a roll of unopened cotton with RZM markings, two SS collar runes, an SS officer's 1944 service list and award entitlement, four year and eight year service medals, two uniform maker's labels, a pair of shoulder boards, a cuff title, a plastic wallet containing cards, images and paperwork, an SS stick pin with two others and a martyr's book of photographic images following the allied liberation of various concentration camps
ORDERS, DECORATIONS AND MILITARY MEDALS, Single British Campaign Medals, A Rifle Brigade Relief of Lady Smith Fatal “bayonet-charge” Casualty with original contemporary paperwork, comprising Queen’s South Africa Medal, second type, ghost dates, with two clasps, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith (9558 Pte C. Moon. Rifle Brigade). Ladysmith clasp slightly bent, otherwise extremely fine as issued, mounted on a modern pin for display purposes. Charles Smallcomb Moon was born c.1869 and enlisted in the Rifle Brigade at Horfield on 8 March 1888, giving his age as 18 years, 1 month. He lived with his father and mother and five siblings at 16 Beam Street, Barton Hill, Bristol. Private Moon served at Winchester, Woolwich, and Dover between 1888-1890. He was at Barreilly throughout 1891 and Ganesh Ghat in 1892. During 1895 he served in Hong Kong. Private Moon, 2nd Battalion the Rifle Brigade, was posted from Crete to Durban, South Africa in October 1899. The Battalion moved on to Ladysmith to cover the retirement of Sir George’s White’s force into the town. On 10 December the Rifle Brigade was involved in a sharp bayonet action in hilly country losing 1 officer and 10 men killed and 3 officers and 40 other ranks wounded. From the Bristol Evening News, Wednesday 13 December 1899 “Transvaal War – Brilliant Sortie- Bayonet Charge – Enemy’s Heavy Losses” “… The War Office at 11.40 o’clock last night, issued the following telegram from General Buller:- “Free Camp 2.5pm, Tuesday. The following telegram received from Sir George White today” “11th December, - Last night Lieut. Col Metcalf, 2nd Rifle Brigade, with 500 men of his Battalion, made a sortie to capture Surprise Hill, and destroy the 4.7 Howitzer mounted there.” “They reached the crest of the hill undiscovered and drove of the enemy, the gun was destroyed by gun-cotton successfully by Lt. Digby Jones R.E. when retiring they found their retirement barred by the Boers but forced their way through using the bayonet freely – the Boer losses were considerable.” Sold with the original and emotive Army Form 46, dated 24 October 1901, stating:- Madam, With Reference to your application regarding the late Pte. C.S. Moon of the Rifle Brigade I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to enclose herewith the Small book of the late soldier. The original Soldiers Small Book belonging to Private Moon, a vaccination certificate dated December 1868 two newspaper cutting relating to the action he was killed in and a complete copy of the Bristol Evening News, of Wednesday 13 December 1899. A copy of The Battles of the Thukela Heights by Ken Gillings and a photocopy of the Rifle Brigade History for the Boer War.
ORDERS, DECORATIONS AND MILITARY MEDALS, Campaign Groups and Pairs, A Scarce Great War ‘Croix de Guerre’ Group of 3 awarded to Sergeant Hubert Baynham, Machine Gun Corps, comprising: British War and Victory Medals, 1914-1919 (83538 Sjt. H. Baynham. M.G.C.), and France, Croix de Guerre, 1914-1918 with star on ribbon; the first two officially impressed, the latter unnamed as issued, mounted on bar with reverse pin for wear, sold with original miniatures as above. Extremely fine, toned. (3) Sergeant Hubert Baynham was born in 1886 at Florence Villa, on the Brook Estate, Monmouth. He attested for service initially with the Army Service Corps, 12 May 1916, having previously worked as a Saddler and with some experience with the ‘Old Volunteers’ 2nd Monmouthshire Regiment, but he was compulsorily transferred to the Machine Gun Corps 17 January 1917, and was once ‘severely reprimanded’ for neglect of duty and refusing to comply with an order 9 September 1917, suggesting he was something of an abrasive character. He later served in North Russia with 253 Company, MGC, embarking on SS Stephen to Murmansk 8 February 1919. Sold with copy MIC and detailed copy attestation papers.
ORDERS, DECORATIONS AND MILITARY MEDALS, Campaign Groups and Pairs, A Great War Trio awarded to Corporal H.A. Yalden Army Vetinary Corps, comprising 1914-15 Star (SE-6085 Pte. H.A. Yalden. A.V.C.); British War and Victory Medals 1914-1920 (SE-6085 Cpl. H.A. Yalden A.V.C.), mounted for wear on contemporary pin. Toned, very fine. (3) Corporal Henry A Yalden landed in the Egyptian Theatre of operations on 11 December 1915, the “SE” prefix to his number denotes “Special Enlistment for the duration of the War”.
1939-1945 German Third Reich 40 Years Long Service Award and 4 Years Long Service Award. (2) The 40 Years award comprising a gilt Maltese cross, centred by a national eagle and swastika emblem, the reverse with the numeral '25' suspended on a blue ribbon with gilt oak-leaves clasp. Non maker-marked. Together with a 4 Years Award with Army and Navy eagle pin to the ribbon. (2)
Military badges and buttons A collection of 31 various European regimental badges, mainly Danish including, Kings Artillery, Zealand Life, Bornholms Militia, etc. mounted on card; a collection of 21 British and Commonwealth badges, framed, a WWII set of British tunic buttons, cap badge and 'For Royal Service' pin, framed; a set of eight Irish Army buttons and a 'Coisite' badge, framed. (4) The largest frame 10 x 13½in. (25.40 x 34.29cm)
Victorian group - Crimea Medal with Sebastopol clasp (engraved Trump'tr J Hanrahan 6th Dgn Gds), Indian Mutiny Medal no clasp (Trumr John Hanrahan 6th Dragn Gds), QV Army LSGCM (838 Trumpet Major John Hanrahan 6th Dn Gds), Turkish Crimea Medal unnamed as issued, Sardinian issue. Crimea with brooch pin fitted to reverse of clasp, Mutiny with slack suspension claw. Few edge small edge bumps and contact marks. Born Cork. Ex Roderick Cassidy collection. NVF (4)
A WWI Victory medal, awarded to 150336 SPR G.DAVIES R.E, an Elizabeth II Service medal awarded to T/22584772 DVR.R.W.WHITMORE R.A.S.C., together with a Royal Berkshire cap badge, a Queen Elizabeth Coronation souvenir medallion, a British Legion Women's Section badge and a Royal Army Service Corps pin (parcel)
WW2 British Medal and insignia group to 14522109 TL Conolly, Royal Engineers. 1939-45 Star, France and Germany Star, War Medal in box of issue (no slip) along with RE cap badge, pair of unissued printed RE shoulder titles, single printed 21 Army Group formation sign, pair of uniform removed SEAC shoulder titles, four uncut and unissued Allied Land Forces - South East Asia Command flashes, identity disks on original string, White metal ring with 14th Army insignia engraved, plastic War Savings stick pin, Birmingham Salutes the Soldier badge, and a screwback US Army 13th Armoured Regt DUI, two Allied Military banknotes and four Japanese military currency banknotes.
Badge. Indian Army. 4th Madras Pioneers Victorian Officer’s pagri badge circa 1883-1903. A good scarce example of heavy gilt brass with applied brass back plate. A crown over a plinth, “Assaye” tablet and an oval of laurel sprays embellished with six battle honours scrolls of which two are blank. At the base of the laurels a scroll, “Madras Pioneers”. In the voided centre are crossed axes above the Elephant over “IV”. Original pin back. Gilt rubbed, some service wear. GC Formerly the 4th Madras Native Infantry, became the 64th Pioneers in 1903.
Womens Land Army and Timber Corps items. WLA Tie pin ... WLA Tie ... WLA Badge ... WLA slip-on title ... WLA Proficiency Badge ... bronze crossed axes ... Cash’s name tape titles TIMBER CORPS and WOMENS LAND ARMY / TIMBER CORPS ... WLA Christmas card ... 1946 typed letter of thanks for service in WLA together with a FORESTER and CHESHIRE title.(12 items)
Badge. Indian Army. 25th Bombay Light Infantry pre 1903 helmet badge. A fine and scarce die-stamped British made brass example. Crowned five pointed star bearing circlet inscribed “Central India, Abyssinia, Meanee, Hydrabad”, to the black cloth centre a strung bugle with “25” between the strings. Scroll beneath the star inscribed “Bombay Light Infantry”. Pagri pin to reverse. VGC Originally formed as 1st Extra Battalion of Bombay Native Infantry in 1820; redesignated 25th Regiment of Bombay Native (Light) Infantry in 1826; various slight changes to title until 1903 when redesignated 125th Napier’s Rifles; 5th (Napier's) Bn. 6th Rajputana Rifles in 1922.
Badge. Indian Army. 13th Madras Infantry Victorian Officer’s pagri badge. A fine and rare die-stamped British made example. On a crowned star bearing a multi-part honour scroll, the centre inscribed “Madras / XIII / Infantry.” Loops replaced with stout pagri pin to reverse. VGC Redesignated 73rd Carnatic Infantry under Kitchener’s 1903 reforms.
Badge. Indian Army. Cossipore Artillery piper’s plaid brooch. A fine and extremely rare Indian silver example by Hamilton & Co. Calcutta. Plain quoit incised with thistle wreath; mounted to the voided centre a crowned Order of the Thistle star bearing oval inscribed “Cossipore Artillery”, to the centre a small Royal Artillery cap badge device set on a rich blue translucent enamel ground. Stout pin to reverse. VGC Cossipore Artillery Volunteers raised in 1884; became part of the Bengal Artillery in 1925.
Badge. Indian Army. 3rd Burma Bn. 33rd Madras Infantry Officer’s head-dress badge. A good scarce silver and gilt example. Within a gilt Crowned silver circlet inscribed “XXXIII Madras Infantry”, a silver peacock on a gilt scroll “III Burma Battn.”. Replacement pagri pin fittings to reverse. GC
Badge. Indian Army. 108th Infantry Officer’s 1918 Birmingham hallmarked silver pagri badge. Fine die-cast example by JRG&S (JR Gaunt and Sons). Rising sun with “108” centrally; tri-part scroll beneath “Infantry”. Stout pagri pin to reverse. VGC (Cox 2542) 108th Bombay Infantry dropped title “Bombay” in 1903. Became 3rd Bn. Bombay Grenadiers in 1922. Disbanded 1930.
Badge. Indian Army. 1st Madras Pioneers Officer’s 1926 Birmingham hallmarked silver pagri badge A fine example by J.R.Gaunt & Sons. Elephant on “Assaye” tablet atop circlet inscribed “Seetabuldee Seringapatam” resting on “Madras Pioneers” scroll; “1” to centre. Loops to reverse officially removed and replaced with stout pagri pin. VGC
Badge. Indian Army. 61st Prince of Wales’ Own Pioneers pagri badge circa 1903-10. A good die-stamped example by JR Gaunt and Son Ltd, London. Brass oval inscribed “Pioneers” and “1758” surmounted by bi-metal Prince of Wales’s plumes , “LXI” to centre; all resting on white metal scroll “Prince of Wales’ Own ”. Stout pagri pin to reverse. VGC
Badge. Indian Army. 1st Punjab Infantry (Frontier Force) Officer’s head-dress badge circa 1901-13. A fine British made die-stamped silvered strung bugle with floreated “1” between the cords, all resting on a two part scroll inscribed “Delhi” and “Afghanistan 1878-79”. Stout pagri pin to reverse. VGC Became 55th Coke’s Rifles in 1903
A Third Reich SS officer’s “Totenkopf” presentation ring, silver coloured, the inside engraved “S.lb. Kiermaier 20.4;38” and facsimile “H. Himmler” signature. GC (worn from mush use); also a small copper coloured SS Totenkopf stick pin, and another larger with grey metal Army eagle. GC Ring only Plate 1 (3)
THE PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN A FINE CASED 5 SHOT 54 BORE EARLY TRANTER PATENT THIRD MODEL SELF-COCKING PERCUSSION REVOLVER, RETAILED BY ROBERT TAYLOR PRITCHETT 86 ST. JAMES'S ST, LONDON, LONDON PROOF MARKS, NO. 7479T, CIRCA 1858 with blued octagonal sighted 6in barrel engraved with a band of foliage around the muzzle and with scrolling foliage on each side of the breech, foliate and border-engraved blued top flat signed 'R.T. Pritchett, 86, St, James St, London', engraved blued frame profusely decorated with scrolls and border ornament, the right side engraved 'N° 7479.T.', the left side stamped 'WH', fitted with bright patent scroll-and border-engraved rammer stamped 'W.T. Tranter's Patent' in an oval, bright patent double trigger stamped 'W. Tranter's Patent' in an oval (very small areas of pitting), profusely scroll-and border-engraved case hardened cylinder stamped with London proof marks, blued safety catch and arbor pin, finely chequered figured walnut butt, engraved case-hardened butt cap, engraved blued trigger-guard, in very good condition and retaining virtually all its original finish: in original fitted mahogany case lined in green baize, the lid with vacant circular brass escutcheon, complete with accessories comprising bag-shaped copper flask by G & J.W Hawksley, double cavity brass 54 bore mould for pointed bullets stamped "54" and numbered to the revolver "7479", cleaning rod with rammer, jag and worm ends, oil bottle by James Dixon & Sons, turnscrew, nipple key, Kynoch & Co. japanned cap tin, japanned tin of Tranter lubricating composition, tin of Tranter lubricating bullets, and bone nipple box containing two spare nipples 29.8 cm; 11 3/4 in overall Literature Wolfgang Berk, William Tranter Birmingham 1849-1890, 2008, page 58.William Tranter traded from 13 St. Mary's Row, Birmingham 1849-75, and between 1853-65 was granted six British patents relating to revolvers and their accessories, and was licensed by Deane, Adams & Deane to make complete Adams' self-cocking revolvers and to use Adams' patented frame for his own revolvers. Robert Taylor Pritchett was contractor to the East India Company, Master of the Gunmakers' Company in 1854 and traded from 86 St James's Street from 1856-62. He retired from the gun trade in 1865 and took up art. He illustrated Sibbald Scott's "British Army" in 1868, exhibited at The Royal Academy and became Private Painter to Queen Victoria.
Czechoslovakia, Badge for Dedication in Business, type 3, with pin back suspension, obverse stamped 5 and 800, good very fine and rare; Miscellaneous Medals (15) Construction Merit (2), including early type numbered 1304; Outstanding Labour (2); Jan Evangelista Comenius Decoration; Jan Amos Keminsky Decoration; Brotherhood in Arms, Second class; Prison Service (3), First, Second and Third classes; Devotion to Socialism; Model Student badge; Vitezi Society Competition 1955; Motherhood silver clasp; Czech Political Prisoner’s Cross 1939-45; 25 Years of Socialist Agriculture; all but the last in cases of issue, generally extremely fine; together with Czech Republic (post 1991) miscellaneous medals (10), Cross of Merit of the Minister of Defence (3), First, Second and Third class; Medal of the Army of the Czech Republic (4), First class, Second class and Third class (2); IFOR 1996 (2); SFOR 1997; Balkan Peacekeeping 1999, last two in boxes of issue, extremely fine (28)
*A Scarce Indian Mutiny and Indian Army MSM awarded to Sergeant-Major William Wilson, Madras Artillery, late 19th Madras Native Infantry, comprising: Indian Mutiny, 1857-58, single clasp, Central India, with top bar (Serjt Major W, Wilson, 19th Madras N.I.); Indian Army Meritorious Service Medal, 1848 type, with top bar and brooch pin to reverse (Serjt W. Wilson Eur: Vets.); light marks, once cleaned with one or two small nicks, very fine or better, and scarce (2). William Wilson (c. 1816-1881), of Peckham, Surrey, attested for service in the East India Company’s Artillery at London on 12/13 September 1836, having previously worked as a Plasterer. On arrival to India he was posted as a Gunner in the Horse Brigade, Madras Artillery. He reached the rank of Sergeant in 1854, and served as Sergeant-Major during the Indian Mutiny with the 19th Native Infantry under Major-General Whitlock. He was then remanded back to the Madras Artillery, having failed to qualify for the rank of Sergeant-Major, and then transferred to the Madras European Veterans. He died at Pallaveram (now a suburb in Chennai), India, 15 July 1881. Offered with copied roll entry confirming his Central India clasp, copied death certificate, and other research.
Yugoslav People’s Republic, Dress Miniatures (42), comprising Order of the Yugoslav Great Star; Order of Freedom; Order of the Yugoslav Star, First Second and Third class; Order of the National Hero; Order of the Hero of Socialist Labour (2 – one on stick pin); Order of National Liberation; Order of the Yugoslav Flag, First and Second or Third class; Order of the Republic (2) both First class; Order of the Partisan Star, First, Second and Third class; Order of National Merit, First, second and Third class; Order of the People’s Army, First, Second and Third class (2-one on incorrect ribbon); Order of Brotherhood and Unity, First and Second Class; Order of Labour, 3rd class (2); Order of Bravery, with additional ribbon bar; Medal of Bravery; Medal of National Merit; Distinguished Service Medal; Partisan Commemorative type 2 (2- one on stickpin); 10th Anniversary of the Yugoslav Armies (2); 20th Anniversary of the Yugoslav Armies (2); 30th Anniversary of the Yugoslav Armies (2); 40th Anniversary of the Yugoslav Armies (2); 30th Anniversary of the Victory Over Fascism, three hallmarked, generally extremely fine (42)
*The Second World War ‘Escaper’s’ K.C.V.O., O.B.E., M.C. & Bar Group of Ten awarded to Lieutenant-General Sir Chandos Blair, Queen’s Own Highlanders, G.O.C. Scotland and Governor of Edinburgh Castle, late C.O. of the 4th Battalion King’s African Rifles, and formerly of the 2nd and 7th Battalions Seaforth Highlanders. Captured during the Seaforths’ hard-fought rearguard action at St Valéry in June 1940, and widely reputed to have become the very first army officer to successfully escape and return home from a German Prisoner-of-War camp, he was later called upon to deliver the Queen’s Message and to handle the delicate negotiations involved in getting overturned the death sentence imposed on the British national Dennis Hills, who was due for execution by firing squad at the orders of President Idi Amin of Uganda (whom Blair had known many years before as an N.C.O. in the King’s African Rifles), comprising: The Royal Victorian Order, Second Class Knight Commander’s Set of Insignia by Collingwood, in silver, gilt and enamels, neck badge and breast star both numbered (1110) to reverse, in fitted case of issue; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (Military Division), Officer’s breast badge, in silver-gilt, in case of issue; Military Cross, reverse engraved ‘1941’, with second award bar upon ribbon, engraved ‘1944’; 1939-1945 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, 1939-1945 War Medal, all unnamed as issued; General Service Medal, 1962-2007, single clasp, Radfan (Brig. C. Blair. O.B.E. M.C. Staff.); Silver Jubilee 1977; group swing-mounted on bar with reverse brooch pin, very fine and in original card box; together with Sir Chandos’s original commission document and K.C.V.O. Warrant (lot). K.C.V.O.: 25 October, 1972 (on relinquishing appointment as Defence Services Secretary); O.B.E.: London Gazette, 1 January 1962; M.C.: London Gazette, 30 September 1941: ‘for distinguished services in the field’;; Bar to M.C.: London Gazette, 19 October 1944, recommendation reads as follows: ‘Major Chandos Blair was in command of the advanced guard on Le Valtru on 28 June 44. Just short of the objective the left hand platoon was temporarily pinned by the fire by the enemy from a post some 400 yds away. Major Blair personally cleared the house which commanded the enemy post. Regardless of the heavy fire he moved about amongst his platoons, explaining his plan and by his disregard of enemy fire helped his men to disregard it also. He was almost the first man to reach the objective. Quickly rallying the assaulting troops he led them personally forward to the main objective on Le Valtru crossroads. This he cleared himself personally but the company was hampered by snipers from a nearby orchard. Again disregarding this fire he cleared the orchard. Throughout the attack on Le Valtru he was always to be found where fire was heaviest. His enthusiasm was an inspiration to his men and his determination to go forward and attack dominated the battle. On 29 June when both the C.O. and 2.I.C. of the Battalion were wounded, Major Blair assumed command of the Battalion. There had been many casualties and mortar fire was both heavy and spasmodic, but Major Blair moved about without fear, encouraging his men and held them firm in their posts until relieved some 36 hours later. Throughout the whole period of operations from 26 June to 30 June, Major Blair showed complete disregard to his personal safety and was at all times and inspiration to his company and later on to his Battalion.’ Lieutenant-General Sir Chandos ‘Chan’ Blair was born on 22 February 1919, the son of Brigadier-General Arthur Blair (K.O.S.B.) and Elizabeth Mary Blair (née Hoskyns). He was educated at Aysgarth School, then at Harrow, where he was a keen golfer, and finally at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst where he received the Sword of Honour. Receiving his first commission as a Second-Lieutenant in ‘C’ Company of the 2nd Battalion Seaforth Highlanders on 26 January 1939, he soon after took part in the fighting in France in June 1940, and at the time when much of the B.E.F. was being evacuated from Dunkirk, the 51st (Highland) Division took part in a gallant but ultimately doomed battle against Rommel’s 7th Panzer Division at Le Tot near St Valery-en-Caux. Surrounded, outnumbered and desperately short of ammunition or supplies, on 12 June thousands of the division’s men were taken prisoner, including 2nd Lt Chandos Blair. After a 14-day, 220--mile march, a journey by barge from Hulst in Holland down the Rhine to Baden-Württemburg, and a 60-hour train journey he arrived first at Oflag VIIC at Laufen Castle, where he remained until 1 March 1941 when he was moved to Stalag XXID - comprised of numerous forts at Posen, in Poland. Feeling his capture with a sense of ‘disgrace’ and ‘dishonour’ as mentioned in his letters, it was here that he made his first attempt at escape with 4 others, escaping his cell by ladder into a deep surrounding moat, in which they were eventually caught, reputedly turned in by a German guard who had accepted their bribe nonetheless. After some 21 days of subsequent confinement, they began collecting equipment, civilian clothes and supplies once again. On 4 June he was sent with 300 others to Oflag VB at Biberach, in Southern Germany. En route, Blair and his immediate friends had lost ‘the toss’ to another group who took an opportunity to escape from the train, but were later captured. After arriving at Biberach, and realising that if he were ultimately to escape then he needed to do so quickly, he immediately set about monitoring the camp movements and routines, and making plans for an escape. Taking turns to toss two dice with his two friends, on this occasion his score won, and thus it was he who was successfully extricated by hiding in a small handcart which was carrying stacked wooden beds to a shed beyond the gates. At this point one of the Blair’s friends offered the German guard a cigarette, and in this moment of diversion Blair made his escape to the shed. Armed only with a packet knife, homemade compass, matches, chocolate and a tin of Horlicks tablets, he emerged that night and survived by hiding in the woods and fields by day, and moving only under the cover of darkness. He remarked that for the first mile beyond the wire his ‘feet hardly touched the ground’ and that he ‘thoroughly enjoyed being hunted like a wild animal’ during his escape. After just over a week he passed Singen and reached the Swiss border, having covered 75 miles, and as he recalled in his second letter home from the Berne Legation: ‘When I got into Switzerland I only knew I was near the frontier….when I was challenged by a man in German, I thought the game was up…but continuing the conversation in French I discovered that the was a Swiss policeman who had been looking for a burglar. I nearly embraced him there and then I was so excited.’ After a short stay at Berne, where he was issued with false passports and other necessary provisions, he and another evader - Wing Commander P.A. Gilchrist, R.A.F. - left for Gibraltar on 12 January 1942 via France and Spain. Arriving safely, Gilchrist was first extracted on 27 January 1942, with Blair following on 11 February, both leaving by Sunderland flying boat. For his escape; the first successful ‘home run’ back to Britain made by a British army officer from a German POW Camp, Blair was awarded the Military Cross. Returning home to army service, he later was present as a Major with the 7th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders shortly after the D-Day Landings, where the 15th Scottish Division took part in Operation Epsom and the heavy fighting against German SS Tanks at Le Valtru near Caen. For his bravery in commanding his company and indeed his Battalion once his senior officers were wounded between 26 and 30 June, he was awarded a second award bar for his Military Cross….PLEASE GO TO WWW.MORTONANDEDEN.COM FOR FULL FOOTNOTE
WORLD WAR ONE GROUP OF THREE British War Medal, Victory Medal and Army Meritorious Service Medal 680720 C SJT C STOCKWELL 22-LOND R [621941 CQM SJT C STOCKWELL LAB C on MSM] Royal Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, Victoria, impressed FREDK B LAWRENCE CARPS MATE (SKILLED) HMS EUPHRATES (adapted as a brooch with pin on obv) and RAOB silver and enamel jewel named to C G STOCKWELL, London 1910 cased (5)
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