Troas, Abydos EL Stater. Circa 520-500 BC. Milesian standard. Eagle with closed wings standing to left, head reverted, dolphin in left field, floral tendril to right; all within circular border / Incuse punch. Head, Historia Numorum, p.538; Head, 'Metrological Notes on Ancient Electrum Coins' in NC 1875, p.275, pl. VII, 7 (same dies). 14.16g, 19mm. Extremely Fine. Extremely Rare, apparently the second known example and more complete than the example published by Head in 1875. Of significant numismatic importance, and perhaps the earliest coinage of Abydos. Abydos was first mentioned in the Iliad among the catalogue of Trojan allies. It was initially probably a Thracian town, as Strabo relates, but it was afterwards colonized by Milesians, with the consent of Gyges, king of Lydia, around 700 BC. The city was under the control of a pro-Persian tyrant, Daphnis, in the 520s, and was directly occupied by the Persians in 514. Abydos was one of the unfortunate Hellespontine cities destroyed by fire by the Persian king Darios after his Skythian expedition; Strabo tells us that ‘he burned them because he had learned after his return from his attack upon the Skythians that the nomads were making preparations to cross the strait and attack him to avenge their sufferings, and was afraid that the cities would provide means for the passage of their army.” The very similar stater type bearing an eagle standing in an identical posture but of later style and with a quadripartite incuse square (BMC Ionia pl. I, 23; Kraay ACGC 75) has long been attributed by noted numismatists including Head, Jameson and Kraay to Abydos. Kraay ascribed that type to the coinages of the Ionian Revolt in 499 against Persian overlordship, which Abydos certainly had good cause to join, and with the gold mines it possessed, had the means to support. The present coin’s obverse style is considerably more archaic in form than the aforementioned type, a fact borne out not only in the eagle itself, but also in the primitive form of the dolphin and the placement of the curious ‘floral tendril’ symbol above and right of the eagle. The reverse punch too is indicative of a striking date earlier than that proposed for Kraay 75, having more in common with the staters of Chios and other uncertain mints dated c. 525-500 (see for example R. Jameson, ‘Trouvaille de Vourla’, RN 1911, pl. I, 1; BMC 31, pl. I, 19); the fabric too retains more resemblance to early globular type struck coins than does Kraay 75. It is therefore proposed that the present type, first catalogued by Head in 1875 and seemingly since, potentially represents the earliest known coinage of Abydos.
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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.
Marc Antony Legionary AR Denarius. Military mint moving with Antony (Patrae?), 32-31 BC. ANT•AVG•III VIR•R•P•C•, praetorian galley to right / LEG XXIII, aquila between two standards. Crawford 544/39. 3.40g, 18mm, 6h. Extremely Fine. Rare; only 17 examples on CoinArchives. From the Alban Collection. XXIII was the highest number given to a legion within Marc Antony’s order of battle. This legion appears to have been disbanded after Actium, as XXIII was never again employed as a legionary numeration following Augustus' reorganisation of the Roman army, in which he consolidated and decreased the total number of serving legions.
Sicily, Katane AR Drachm. Circa 405-403/2 BC. Facing head of Silenos / Diademed head of Apollo left, olive leaf and berry behind, ΚΑΤΑΝΑΙΩΝ before; all within circular incuse. Mirone 103; SNG ANS 1262 var. (no leaf and berry); Jameson 554 (same dies). 3.56g, 17mm, 5h. Very Fine. Very Rare. During the ill-fated Athenian expedition to Sicily of 415-413 BC, Diodoros reports that Katane was at first in favour of Syracuse, though upon hearing the case of the Athenian strategoi Thucydides relates that the Katanaians were compelled to espouse the alliance of the invaders. Katane thus became the headquarters for the Athenian force, and remained its principal base of operations throughout the campaign. It was to this city that the survivors of Nicias' massacred army escaped, finding refuge there until they could return to Athens. Despite the utter destruction of their ally's forces, Katane appears to have emerged from the war largely unscathed, and may indeed have gained some economic benefit from the 300 talents of silver that the Athenian reinforcements brought with them in 414 to hire Sicilian cavalry, as well as the money the Athenians spent within the city. In any case, Katane remained free from Syracusan rule until 403, when a force under Dionysios I was able to capture the city by surprise thanks to the treachery of the strategos Arkesilaos. Dionysios then sold its people into slavery and granted the city itself to his Campanian mercenaries. It is to this late classical period, beginning with the Athenian alliance, that this drachm belongs. This brief span saw a second flourishing of the die engraver's art at Katane, with such masters as Herakleidas producing magnificent dies of remarkable skill and beauty (see the following lot). Though the present coin is not signed, the level of technical ability required to engrave such a high relief facing portrait is indicative of it being the work of a master of the first order. Indeed, the style of Apollo's portrait on the reverse is remarkably similar to those produced and signed by the 'Maestro della foglia', cf. Rizzo pl. XII, 1-10; pl. XIII, 4; pl. XV 1-2. It is conceivable therefore that this could be an unsigned work by the same individual. The depiction of Silenos is an unexpected departure from the typical Apollo/chariot issues of the main period; though Silenos features prominently on the coinage of Katane as a reference to its chief export, he had never been depicted by the Katanaians as the principal subject on a denomination greater than a litra. It is probable that the artist took some inspiration from an earlier electrum issue of Phokaia (Bodenstedt 43), struck c.521-478 that also featured a facing portrait of Silenos, and which has been described as a masterpiece of the Archaic period.
Revolt of the Heraclii AV Solidus. Alexandria or Cyprus, dated fixed IY 11 (summer AD 608). D N ERACLIO CONSVLI BA, facing busts of Heraclius and the Exarch Heraclius, each wearing slight beard and consular robes; cross between / VICTORIA CONSAB IA, cross potent set upon four steps; CONOB in exergue. DOC 11; MIBE 3; Sear 719; Berk 112. 4.46g, 20mm, 7h. Good Extremely Fine. Insignificant scratch on rev., tiny edge bump. Very Rare. Having been appointed Exarch of Africa by the Emperor Maurice Tiberius, Heraclius the Elder was venerated at Carthage where he had established ties with the local elite and enjoyed a safe and strong position. His son and namesake Heraclius the Younger married into the local African elite, his first wife Eudocia being the daughter of a local landowner. Although not as wealthy an area of the Empire as Egypt, Africa was able to stand alone in self sufficiency whilst also being a provider of grain and revenues to Constantinople, a position that further strengthened the Heraclii's position for the events of AD 608. Maurice was murdered by disaffected soldiers after they had rebelled against him and proclaimed their fellow soldier Phocas to be Emperor in 602, the culmination of a long struggle with the finances of the Empire, for which he had imposed high taxes and intended to introduce reforms to reduce expenditure on the maintenance of the army. The change of regime at first being welcomed due to the lowering of taxes, Phocas' methods of ensuring loyalty and keeping control of the government by killing thousands of dissenters (a claim we ought to take with caution as no contemporary histories remain), coupled with the disintegrating stability of the Eastern provinces where the Sasanian Persian king Khosrau II was preparing an invasion, led to increasing hostility towards him. In opposition to the tyranny of Phocas, Heraclius the elder and the younger were proclaimed Consuls, perhaps by the Senate at Carthage (a body which had no power to do so), and began issuing coinage depicting themselves in consular robes only, as we see on this very rare solidus, as they did not hold the imperial title at that time. Gaining support from Egypt, Syria, Cyprus and Sicily, Heraclius the Younger sailed to Constantinople, arriving in October 610, and the revolt culminated in a coup where he was crowned and saw to the execution of his predecessor, establishing a dynasty which would last a century, ending with the execution of Justinian II in 711.
Maximianus AV Aureus. Rome, AD 293-294. MAXIMIANVS AVGVSTVS, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right / HERCVLI VICTORI, Hercules seated facing on rock, head to right, lion's skin on lap, holding club with left hand; bow and quiver resting to right; PR in exergue. RIC -; Depeyrot 5B/5 (these dies); Calicó 4682 (this obverse die). 6.02g, 20mm, 7h. Near Mint State. Insignificant trace of double striking on obverse; exceptionally bold reverse. Ex Jean P. Lambros Collection, J. Hirsch XXIX, 9 November 1910, lot 1347. Given the title ‘Herculius’ by Diocletian, Maximianus’ role was always that of the military might to Diocletian’s stategic planning. Whilst the title reflected the adoption of Hercules as the heavenly father of Maximianus and thus, his familial ties to divinity, it was also representative of his role as junior emperor. Taking the cognomen of ‘Jovius’, Diocletian assumed familial ties to the more authoritative deity of Jupiter, as the father of Hercules, and so indicated his superiority over Maximianus as the director of imperial policy. The reverse depiction of Hercules on this gold aureus displays this imperial theology with the inscription HERCVLI VICTORI (“Hercules the Victor”). Whilst this issue suggests military success, Maximianus was beginning to falter in his role as a military instrument of the empire. His failed invasion of Britain in 289, against the ever-increasing threat of Carausius, led Diocletian to conclude that their divinely sanctioned diarchy was insufficient to manage the Empire. Constantius was appointed to the office of Caesar in the West and Galerius was granted the same position in the East, establishing a Tetrarchy that would relieve Maximianus of his military responsibilities. This coin was most probably produced in response to the increase in bureaucracy that the appointment of two new Caesars in 293 will have occasioned, as well as the ever present needs of the army protecting the eastern frontier of the Empire.
King George V Fine Grant of Arms and Crest on vellum scroll awarded to Sir Charles Harrington, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Honorable Order of Bath, Knight Grand Cross of the Excellent Order of the Empire, Companion of the Distinguished Service Order, Aide de Camp, General to the King, General in the Army and Honorary Doctor of Civil Law of the University of Oxford. Hand illuminated dated 1933 complete with the original red leather covered box with gilt embossed Royal cipher. Note: A College of Arms Grant for the Petitioning for Arms, a scroll as issued by the most senior heralds, the Kings of Arms. Signed Sir Gerald Wollaston, Arthur William Cochrane, Algar Henry Stafford Howard together with their Seals of Office containing the original red wax seals.
Cigarette Cards, Mixture, a collection of sets from various Manufacturers to include Boguslavsky Mythical Gods & Goddesses, Cavanders Ancient Egypt, Gallaher's Aesop's Fables, Players Polar Exploration (1st & 2nd Series), Struggle for Existence and Uniforms of the Territorial Army, also included Carreras British Costumes (both sized sets)(gd)(10)
Cigarette Cards, Players, a variety of sets to include Cycling, Hidden Beauties, Aircraft of the Royal Airforce, Cricketers 1934, Ceremonial Series, Animals of the Countryside, Modern Naval Craft, National Flags & Arms, Cries of London, Players Past & present, Military Uniforms of the British Empire Overseas and Colonial Indian Army Badges, (gen gd)(12)
Cigarette Cards, Mixture, a collection of original albums containing sets and part sets by Player's to include The Coronation of HM King George VI, Military Uniforms of the British Army Overseas, Hints on Association Football, Film Stars, Cycling, British Freshwater Fishes, International Air Liners, National Flags & Arms and by Wills' Birds & Their Young, Radio Celebrities (x2) and 2nd Series, Our King & Queen, Reign of King George VI (x2), Dogs, Railway Engines (x2) and Safety First, (albums fair, foxing, cards gen fair/gd)
Cigarette Cards, Will's Overseas Issues, complete New Zealand sets to include Beautiful New Zealand, Birds beasts & Fishes, British Royal & Ancient Buildings, Children of All Nations, Famous Inventions, Homeland Events, Household Hints (Wills to top back), New Zealand Early Scenes and Maori Life, Past & Present, Picturesque people of the Empire, Pirates & Highwaymen, Products of the World, Ships & Shipping, Ship's Badges, A Sporting Holiday in New Zealand (two different sized sets) Units of the British Army and RAF, Village Models and Wonders of the World (all gen gd/vg, some excellent)
Postcards Albums, a collection of approx 270 cards mostly from the early 1900's in two vintage albums, including, RP's of Pony & Trap (2), Horse races, Winter scene, Small Launch on river, Boat " Brighton Queen", Army camp Shoeburyness, also Colour cards Imperial Exhibition 1909, Franco/British Exhibition 1908, Romance,Polboro Sussex, Badger Digging, Lifeboat Worthing, Seaside/Boats, Port Said, Comic, Coronation Exhibition 1911, Silk Cameo's, Song Titles and more. G V/G (2)
Cigarette Cards, Military, a selection by various Manufacturers to include United Kingston Tobacco Officers Fill Dress, Teofani Past & Present The Army (no frame to back) and Weapons of War, United Kingdom Tobacco Grey's British Orders of Chivalry & Valour, Player's Colonial & Indian Army Badges and Regimental Uniforms (brown back), Mitchell's The Model Army (cut outs) and Wills' Embassy World of Firearms (all gd/vg)(8)
Cigarette Cards, Players, a mixed collection of complete sets to include Military Uniforms of the British Empire Overseas, Butterflies, Animals of the Countryside, Products of the World, Army Corps & Divisional Signs, Cries of London 2nd Series, Coronation Series, Players Past & Present, National Flags & Arms, Hidden Beauties, Aircraft of the Royal Airforce, and Modern Naval Craft (gen gd/vg, a few fair)(12)
![[STERLING, Sir A] Letters from the Army in The Crimea written during the Years 1854,1855 & 1856, by A Staff-Officer who was T](https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.com/6af88abe-5e97-483f-87f7-a68601093b5f/efc9f3ec-999a-4c07-ce8d-bd058246ebc7/468x382.jpg)
[STERLING, Sir A] Letters from the Army in The Crimea written during the Years 1854,1855 & 1856, by A Staff-Officer who was There. For Private circulation. 1857. Plans as listed. tp. & 1st few pp. det. embossed cl. worn. Bkpt.'Bequest of the Aurhtor Sir A. Sterling' in pencil. Tog.with WOOD, General Sir Evelyn, The Crimea in 1854, and 1894. Chapman & Hall, 1895. 8vo. Frontis. port. plans and illustrations from sketches by Col. The Hon. W.J. Colville. C.B. bl. bds. bumped, plus JOCELYN, Col. Julian. R.J. The History of The Royal Artillery (Crimean Period) Murray, 1911. 4to. 7 maps to rear , 1 det. cl. bds. faded. plus other similar interest. 8
Selection of South African Badges and Insignia, consisting of large brass South African Infantry Brigade pagri badge with fittings to the reverse, small South African brass collar badge, brass South African 1st Infantry shoulder title, brass South Africa RE Signal Service shoulder title, South Africa Heavy Artillery cap and collar badge, pair of 1st South Africa Infantry collar badges, pair of 2nd South African infantry collar badges, pair of Transvaal regiment collar badges, pair of brass Cape Town Highlanders collar badge, brass South Africa shoulder title, South Africa tunic button and cast white metal Eritrea Police cap badge. Accompanying the badges are 2x Indian Army buttons, Australia shoulder title and three others. All in good condition. (23 items)
Selection of Colonial Medical Corps Cap Badges, consisting of large brass Royal New Zealand Army Medical Corps with two lug fittings on the reverse, brass two scroll type South African Medical Corps cap badge, brass SAMC cap badge with two lug fittings, cast brass Ceylon Medical Corps cap badge, bronze Rhodesia Medical Corps with blackened brass slider, brass Canadian Medical Corps with two lug fittings and Indian Army Medical Corps with two lug fittings. Various conditions. (7 items)
Two Bar Egypt & Sudan Campaign Medal Group Awarded to Private S Davis Army Hospital Corps, consisting of Egypt & Sudan 1882-89 with clasps The Nile 1884-85 and Kirbekan, named in the correct style “4995 PTE D DAVIS AHC” and 1882 Khedives star. The medals have been mounted in a glazed wooden frame along with a Victorian crowned shako badge, cast white metal martingale badge and Medical Staff Corps brass badge (possibly reproduction). Frame measures 39cm x34cm. Frame has not been opened to inspect the reverse of any item.
Selection of Various British Army Cap Badges, consisting of bi-metal Hampshire regiment with slider, brass RAF with lugs, RASC with slider, brass Royal Marines with slider, Cameron Highlanders with lugs, brass ATS with slider, Royal Scots with lugs, Grenadier Guards with lugs, brass Norfolk regiment with slider, brass Welsh Guards with slider, various bullion beret badges and a selection of damaged or repaired badges. (58 items)
Pair of Candlesticks Made From German Army Officers Dagger Hilts, lion head jewelled eye dagger hilts with down swept eagle and swastikas to the langets. Fitted with chromed candle stick fittings and domed bases. Grips retains the original fish ski covering and wire binding. Both worn but generally still in good condition. It was common practice at the end of the war for dagger and sword manufacturers to make souvenirs from parts left over. They would sell these to soldiers from the occupying forces.
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 Italian Campaign Military Medal (M.M) Group of Five Awarded to Havilder Pokar Ram 6th Rajputan Rifles, group consists of George VI Military Medal “21945 HAV POKAR RAM RAJ RIF”, 1939-45 star, Africa star, Italy star and 1939-45 War medal. The medals have been court mounted for display. They remain in good overall condition. The MM was an immediate award and the citation was as follows, “On the night of 14/15 Sep 44 Hav Pokar Ram was the Hav of No1 Pl, “B” Coy 4.2” Mortars, 6th Rajputan Rifles, in support of 2 CAMERONS. The Bn was engaged upon an attack upon ZOLLARA (8580), and operating in an area known in detail to the enemy and constantly subjected to heavy shelling. In order to minimise the limitations imposed by the short range of the 4.2” mortar, it is the policy in this Pl always to bring up the mortars as close behind the fighting troops as possible, and this more often than not involves working under fire. On the night of 14/15 Sep 44 the Hav was ordered to set up his mortars in positions less than a 1000 yards behind the start line of the attacking infantry. The area was under shell fire at the time but, on his own initiative and with no regard for his own personal safety, the Hav put each team in position, mounted all the aiming posts himself, although this involved protracted exposure, and by his splendid personal example so sustained the heart of his teams that they went to work with parade ground precision. Throughout the operation, and under continued shelling, the Hav moved from team to team, ignoring the danger to himself in order to direct and encourage his men. The support given by this Pl to the Bn in this attack was a valuable contribution to its success and there is no doubt that the platoon’s efficiency was largely due to the courage and skill of this Hav, working in the open with shells often bursting close to him, and to the faith in him and determination to stint nothing in the fulfilment of their duty with which his wholly admirable conduct inspired the members of his platoon. After the operation the Army Commander stated in a congratulatory message that its success greatly assisted the Army’s advance.”
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)
Seventeen British Army Beret Badges, consisting of fine quality officers silver gilt East Surrey regiment made by Gaunt and with two lug fittings to the reverse, officers silver gilt two piece 16th Lancers made by Gaunt, white metal other ranks 17/21st Lancers with two lug fittings, brass Queens Royal West Surrey regiment with slider, bi-metal Kings Liverpool regiment with slider, brass Norfolk regiment with slider, bi-metal Loyal North Lancs with lug fittings, bi-metal South Lancashire regiment with slider, white metal DLI with slider, EIIR white metal DLI with slider, white metal Somerset LI with slider, bi-metal KSLI with slider, white metal Ox & Bucks LI with slider, bi-metal East Surrey regiment with slider, EIIR East Surrey regiment with slider, bi-metal Royal Leicestershire regiment with slider and white metal KOYLI with slider. All remain in good condition. (17 items)
Great War Nursing Sisters Casualty Medal Pair, consisting of British War and Victory medals awarded to “N.SISTER I L KEALY”. Medals remain in good condition. Nursing Sister Ida Lilian Kealy served with the Canadian Army Medical Corps in the 1st Canadian General Hospital. She joined the CAMC in May 1916. She died from Pneumonia at Bramshott, Hampshire 12th March 1918.
Outstanding WW2 North Africa Battle of Munassib Military Cross Grouping Awarded to “H Troop” Commander Lieutenant Ronald William Harding, 226 Battery 57th (East Surrey) Anti-Tank Regiment Royal Artillery, group consists of 1943 George VI Military Cross housed in the original case with forwarding box, 1939-45 star, Africa star, Italy star and War medal all housed in OHMS forwarding box addressed to Harding. Accompanying the medals are his original officers peaked cap with bronze cap badge, officers brown leather sam browne belt with holster, plated engine turned cigarette case with engraved initials. Also included in the grouping is a quantity of original period paperwork, maps and publications relating to his service during WW2. Included with the paperwork is the official notice sent to his wife notifying her of his award of the Military Cross and the citation for the action it was awarded, telegram about him being wounded by gunshot to the right loin, soldiers service and pay book, various newspaper cuttings and other documents. Amongst the paperwork is a selection of private snap shot photographs taken by Harding whilst in service in North Africa and Italy which includes some excellent images showing both him and comrades posing with captured war booty, image of Harding wearing his steel helmet with the reverse inked “HOT SPOT HAPPY VALLEY MUNASSIB SEPT 1942”, images of him and other officers etc. Bag of mixed tunic buttons and medal ribbons for both him and his father (medals in previous lot) and single British War medal for WW1 from another family member not named Harding. Overall this is a fantastic grouping which has never before been offered on the collectors market. Lieutenant Ronald William Harding was from Eltham, South London. He was educated at Haimo Road School, Eltham and later at Woolwich County School. On leaving education he joined the head office of the Woolwich Equitable Building Society. He enlisted in the Royal Artillery on 18th April 1940 and rose through the ranks to gain a commission. He served as “H Troop” Commander with 226 Battery 57th (East Surrey) Anti-Tank Regiment Royal Artillery at the battle of Munassib in North Africa September 1942, it was during this battle that he was recommended for the Military Cross, which appeared in the London Gazette 14th October 1943, the citation for which is as follows, “This officer has commanded an anti-tank troop since September 1942. At all times he has shown the utmost devotion to duty. No conditions either of machine gunning or shellfire have ever deterred him from the task of getting his guns into the most advantageous position. He has shown himself equally impervious to the effects of fatigue. In particular he distinguished himself in the Battle of Munassib, September 42, when he was detached under command 6 Queen's. He was three days in this position, during which time two of his Nos. 1 and two other soldiers were wounded, but at all times he was actively employed in going round his guns encouraging his men and reconnoitring better positions. Finally he was himself wounded but refused to be evacuated until he had reported to his Battery Commander and arranged for his relief. Altogether his conduct during the whole period has been of the highest and has been a great inspiration to his men” Harding continued to serve with the unit once he recovered from his wounds, he served throughout the campaign in Italy. He left the army in 1946.
Selection of Airborne Related DZ Flashes, consisting of 16 Air Assault Brigade, HQ 16 Air Assault Brigade, 216 Signals Squadron, EOD Troop 33 Engineer Regiment, 23 Engineer Regiment, 7 Royal Horse Artillery, 1st Parachute Battalion, 2nd Parachute battalion, 3rd Parachute battalion, 1st Royal Irish Regiment, 3rd Regiment Army Air Corps, 4th Regiment Army Air Corps, 9th Regiment Army Air Corps, 13th Air Assault Regiment RLC, 7th Battalion REME 132 Aviation Support Unit RLC, 16 Close Support Medical Regiment, 156 Provost Company Royal Military Police, Pathfinder Platoon, Training Company Parachute Regiment, Household Division, Air Force Liaison Company, RAF Element, 4th Battalion Parachute Regiment, variation 9th Regiment Army Air Corps and Royal Gurkha Rifles. All in mint condition. (26 items)
Afghan Army Officers Sword Shamshir, curved single edge blade etched with Islamic inscription dated AH1314 (=1904 AD) amidst extensive foliage, brass crosspiece with British union flowers in relief, hardwood grips, in its brass scabbard with mounts cast in relief with the union flowers, twin suspension rings, blade 31.25”. Good condition (tops of grips possibly restored).
Crimea and Indian Mutiny Group of Four 72nd Highlanders, Crimea medal with clasp Sebastopol engraved “No 2122 James Smith 72nd Highlanders”, Turkish Crimea medal Sardinian issue engraved “No 2122 Pte James Smith 72nd Highlanders”, Indian Mutiny medal with clasp Central India impressed “JAS SMITH 72ND HIGHLANDERS” and Victorian Army Long Service Good Conduct medal impressed “2122 JAS SMITH 72ND FOOT”. Medals have been mounted for display. All remain in good overall condition.
WW2 British Royal Army Medical Corps Marked Steel Combat Helmet, untouched example of the standard British steel combat helmet, retaining much of the original combat paint finish. To the side is the regimental colours, red, blue and yellow. Complete with the original strap and liner. 1940 date stamp to the liner. Very good untouched steel helmet.
German Army Panzer Officers Peaked Cap, fine quality example with bullion wire officers cap eagle and wreath. Officers chin cords supported by pebbled side buttons. Pink piping to the crown and bordering the central green band. Interior retains the original lining and sweatband. Some light service wear to the interior and some moth nips to the piping but otherwise a very nice example of a early war Panzer officers peaked cap.
WW2 6th Army Group Royal Artillery (A.G.R.A) Battle Dress Blouse Set, being a Canadian War Aid made set with printed shoulder titles, printed 6th AGRA formation sign, brass artillery cannon and sergeants rank chevrons. To the shoulder is twist cord lanyard. Open collar tailored battle dress. Ink stamp to the interior with 1945 date. Accompanied by 1945 dated matching BD trousers. Good condition set. (2 items)
German Army Officers Dress Dagger, fine deep orange handle with the original top pommel and eagle cross guard. Original bullion wire officers dress portepee attached. Dagger is complete with its original scabbard. Blade remains in very good condition with much of the original finish remaining. PUMA Solingen makers mark to the base of the blade, obscured by the cross guard. Overall a very good example of a German Army officers dress dagger.
Selection of German Army, Waffen SS and Luftwaffe Tunic Shoulder Boards, all single examples, including pink piped black panzer wrap over tunic example, black piped Waffen SS NCO’s example, Waffen SS black piped other ranks, Panzer Grenadier NCO’s board with slip on attached, early pre-war pointed top army shoulder board, scarce Luftwaffe medical blue piped board and others. All remain in very good overall condition. (11 items)
Selection of WW2 German Cloth Insignia, consisting of uniform removed army combat tunic breast eagle, late war embroidered tunic breast eagle, triangular eagle and cockade ski cap insignia, un-issued German army bevo cap cockade, similar worn example, bullion wire officers cap cockade, Kriegsmarine embroidered breast eagle, German army Helmsman trade proficiency embroidered arm badge, 2x German Veterans association bevo arm badges (one swastika type, other tri-colour) and Luftwaffe cloth qualification badge. Various conditions. (11 items)
Selection of Sweetheart Brooches, from various periods and constructions, including brass and enamel Royal Scots, brass and enamel Royal Sussex, Victorian brass and enamel 24th Foot South Wales Borderers, sterling silver RAF pilots wings, brass and enamel Royal Artillery, brass and enamel Worcestershire regiment, brass and enamel Machine Gun Corps, brass and enamel Royal Warwickshire, shield with printed badge Kings Light Infantry, brass and enamel RAMC, silver and enamel Royal Engineers, brass and enamel Royal Fusiliers on rifle, brass and enamel on bar Royal Marines Light Infantry, brass and enamel Army Service Corps, plus others. Mostly all remain in good condition but some have damage or pieces missing. (30 items)
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