Five: 1939-45 & Africa Stars, Defence, War & Australian Service Medals. ALL impressed. SX1984 R. E. Williams 2/10 Infantry Battalion. Comes with an engraved Tobruk Medal.
Wounded in Action at Tobruk 6 May 1941, Served in the post War period twice.
Gd VF $725
Four: MBE type2 (Military), MSM Commonwealth of Australia G. V. R. 59 WO 1 A. B. Webber A.I.C., 1935 Jubilee (confirmed), 1937 Coronation (un-confirmed).
MBE: London Gazette 1.1.1936
MSM: A.A.O. 256/25
Entitled to LSGC MO 535/1918. Research shows enlisted 28.3.1900 R.A.A. transferring to A.I.C. 1905. Discharged 1938 as a Second Lieutenant.
VF $875
Eight: MBE (type 2) Military, 1939-45 Star, Africa Star with 8th Army clasp & Pacific Stars (all appear to be period private engraving), Defense Medal, War Medal with MID, Australian Service Medal (all 3 impressed), Efficiency Medal “Australia” (G.VI.R.) with TWO CLASPS. NX13879 J. W. Fyfe 2/13 BN. WO1.
Comes with two named unofficial medals being Tobruk & BECOF
MID: London Gazette 6.3.47 Exceptional Service in the field in SWP Area.
MBE: Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 10.1.52.
Photos of Ming the Merciless Jim Fyfe in unit history Bayonets Abroad.
Only 140 two bar Efficiency bars awarded. A cracking senior NCO to a famous Battalion.
VF ON HOLD
A French PARTIZAN circa 1700. Believed to be from the town of Lyon with its coat of arms being three Fleur-de-lis over a rampant lion with pretruding tongue beside what is possibly a rack number "164" (see photo). Very typical of style with toggle at right angle to spear face. What is particularly pleasing is that the fluted haft is original with many studs and Fleur-de-lis (a couple missing) at both the top and bottom. Haft has a small amount of old wood worm holes, however given how few retain original wood, this is a small price to pay. Overall legth 77.25 inches.
Good condition SOLD
Another example of the 1796 Heavy Cavalry Disc Hilt sword. No real distinguishing marks to the sword other than a proof mark which I believe to be the crown over 4. The scabbard is stamped 8 over F41. The disc has not been cut down and both langets are present. The point of the blade has been converted from hatchet to point which some say could indicate Waterloo service.
Other than a few small dings to the scabbard and some pitting the sword is in good condition and rare. SOLD
A slightly heavier 1796 Blue & Gilt Officers Light Cavalry Sword. True to pattern with excellent steel scabbard maker marked Durs Egg Haymarket London in cartouche (1788-1804). A extremely good wire bound hilt. Blue & Gilt showing withdrawal from scabbard marks and wear.
Good overall condition SOLD
A very scarce 1853 British Cavalry trooper’s sword marked in the classic style for the state of Victoria. Complete with scabbard. Hilt clearly marked Va 201 and the scabbard is Va 207.This pattern sword is believed to be the first edged weapon to be marked with Colonial markings in Australia. This is an extremely scarce sword and has been purchased from a very old established collection.
Overall condition is extremely good SOLD
1908 Pattern Trooper’s Cavalry Sword marked to the 7th Dragoon Guards, the 88 cm straight blade with single fuller marked at the forte with the broad arrow EFD crown over 36 over E and various other markings, the plated scabbard marked M 11.13 and 7/DG 232, complete with brown leather sword knot, the hand grip of chequered composition, Matching hilt and scabbard numbers .
good overall condition SOLD
A very rare Elcho bayonet by Gustav Felix. True to pattern but missing bottom scabbard mount and spring catch. Probably the rarest of all British bayonets, this honest example is the first I have had in 40 years. Interestingly the largest bayonet collector I know’ s examples all have the bottom scabbard mount missing.
SOLD
Scottish Basket Hilt Backsword Circa 1730, true to to style with very good wire bound fishskin grip. Blade Length 33.5 inches.
Good condition SOLD
Kukri of the Kothimoda type. Circa 1850. Bone handle and clean blade mounted in a superb worked scabbard. Close examination of this silver scabbard shows quality workmanship and design with gold plaque and rose overlay. These special knives were used by senior ranking Gurkhas and are of the highest rarity. When one considers the price of gold and silver today, I believe it is very reasonably priced.
Good condition overall SOLD
1822 Pattern Infantry Officers Sword. Blade by H. Hart, Pall Mall, London etched with the crowned "VR" cypher and scrolling foliate panels, standard gilt brass gothic hilt incorporating the crowned "VR" cypher, wire bound fish skin grip in its field rank brass scabbard, complete with a continental gold lace and bullion sword knot.
Good condition overall SOLD
1831 Pattern General Officers Mameluke Hilted Sabre. A Victorian period example, unfullered blade with clip and pipe back point by Thurkle of Soho London etched with crowned "VR" cypher crossed sword and baton crossed laurel and palm sprays and other scrolling foliage, brass mounted hilt with crossguard, this with foliate ecussian incorporating crossed sword and baton within laurels, two piece ivory grip in its brass scabbard complete with gold and crimson lace sword knot, the blade retains the majority of original polish.
Very good condition overall SOLD
A very good Cromwellian Lobster Tail Helmet from the English Civil War 1642-1651. True in every respect for what you would expect from this period example.
Four Lame fully articulated neck guard plus original nasal bar marked M (Nicholas Marshall?). Wing nut with good thread. Ear flap leather has been replaced at some time which is to be expected. A truly lovely example of a helmet over 350 years old.
Very good condition SOLD
A superb example of the extremely rare Regency period Officers Shako of the 17th Light Dragoons pattern 1812. See plate 19 “Head dresses of the British Army” – Cavalry by W. Y. Carman (pictured above).
The condition of this helmet is outstanding and possibly never worn. The Regiment history states “1812 .. the old helmet disappeared and the felt shako took its place”. After service in India from 1808 having landed in Calcutta with 790 strong, the regiment lost through disease, invalided and killed in action 26 Officers and 796 men but received numerous reinforcements during this period. It returned home with no less than 200 all ranks. On arriving in St. Helena in 1823 they learnt for the first time that they had been redesignated as a Lancer Regiment. It is also recorded that “the shako was discarded forever and a lance cap of the more orthodox shape introduced in its place”.
Close examination of this helmet shows almost no wear with even the complete chin strap in perfect condition. The maker’s placement of a Coat of Arms indicates a Scottish maker as the main Lion and Unicorn are reversed with first and fourth quarter of the shield depicting the Lion rampant of Scotland.
Being over 200 years old, Shakos of this quality virtually never survive. A truly magnificent example to an extremely popular regiment.
SOLD
The 63rd (West Suffolk) Regiment Officers 1855 Pattern Shako, an extremely fine and rare example, the black beaver covered body with sunken patent leather top similar bottom bracing band and front and rear peaks, correct bronze gorgon’s head at the back for ventilation. Broken and incomplete leather chin strap but with very good leather sweatband and silk attached liner. Good frontal plate correct and original to the helmet. Plume holder although original is not of the 1855 pattern but correct wool ball. The helmet is in excellent condition with very good beaver body.
Excellent condition SOLD
A Boer War period possibly Yeomanry Khaki Drill Tunic. Five buttons with pleated breast pockets, red facings (collar, cuffs & shoulder straps), Buttons not sewn on as eyelets in place. Stand up collar suggests early Boer War.
Very Good Condition SOLD
British Officers red tunic to the 30th Regiment, White facings and bullion insignia for a captain, gilt buttons with Victorian crown over 30 (Cambridgeshire). Making this an early tunic prior to becoming the East Lancashire Regiment.
A few snail trails otherwise good condition SOLD
Hallmarked (1915) silver nurses hip flask engraved “L. D. Meares 6th L. H. RGT. A.I.F.”
Sister Louisa Devenish Meares saw most of her service in Salonika with a brother (Charles Dycester Devenish Meares) serving with the 6th Light Horse. Possibly a gift from her brother or she could have been looking after the wounded from the 6th L.H (staying close to her brothers unit). Rare to find an Australian WW1 nurses attributed item. Further research could only enhance this interesting piece.
Note: Measures 14 cm x 9.5 cm
VF SOLD
A scarce ROYAL MARINE Foreign Service Helmet post 1905 when the Home Service Helmet was discontinued for the Marines. Classic six panels of white cloth with leather sweatband and regulation eight cork spacers. Plate appears original to the helmet with no multiple holes. Size 7 stamp plus what appears to be a Regimental number 2618 which is also present on the separate (almost impossible to find) storage helmet cover. Overall the helmet is in very good condition and retains its attractive shape.
Very good condition SOLD
Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry Officer’s Helmet c. 1881 – 1901. Blue cloth skull complete with all gilt metal fittings, spike pattern finial, chin chain and spine. The helmet plate with crowned star back plate with laurel and Garter overlays, in the centre on a ground of green velvet a strung bugle horn with castle and red velvet feathers, one hook and two stud fasteners, the green velvet with fading, internally complete with original leather sweat band and silk lining in excellent condition. Overall condition is very good.
SOLD
SECOND LIGHT HORSE 1930-42 full dress Wolseley Helmet, Typical seven pleat puggaree complete with acanthus leaf base and spike. Light Horse badge is original to the helmet with no extra holes and is further attached with fine cotton. Liner and leather sweatband in excellent condition with makers label J. Compton London. Complete with chin chain and japaned storage tin. Also included are a pair of original dog tags named to QX 6236 Captain R.A.G.Muir. This helmet was originally part of the well-known General Jess Australian collection. In very good condition.
SOLD
An extremely rare 1855 Pattern Shako to the 40th Foot. Actual Shako is true to pattern with front and back peaks with gorgon’s head at the back for ventilation. Officers lining in good condition but some separation from the complete leather sweat band. Complete with unbroken chin strap and worsted ball minus its holder. Heavy loss of knap to sides of shell. The two gold bands suggest rank of Colonel or Lt. Colonel. Helmet plate appears original to the helmet. The stand out feature of this shako is the AUSTRALIAN MADE (probably STOKES) Helmet plate making it one of the earliest badges made in the colony. This plate is acknowledged among the advanced collectors in Australia and one was included on an old Stokes pattern board sold a number of years ago. I am reluctant to clean this badge which shows some gilt particularly to the reverse suggesting Officers pattern which is in keeping with the helmet.
The 40th Foot served a second time in Australia in 1852 and in October 1854 quelled an uprising at Eureka Stockade going on to serve in New Zealand 1860 to 1866 prior to the introduction of the 1869 Shako. The lack of motto and garter strap may indicate a late 1844 interim Officers Star shape plate prior to the issue of the 1855 shako and simply carried over.
Helmet plate of the highest rarity SOLD
A Good example of a MORION circa 1600. Two piece skull with tall roped comb and turned over ribbed borders. All rivets present, Armourers mark close to forward point. One small hole in comb for display purposes.
Very Good Condition SOLD
