Sold Gallery
These pages display a number of the rare items that I have had the pleasure of selling. To view more details and a larger photograph please click on the thumbnail picture.
Middle East Commando Knife.
Brass and steel knuckle knife that is generally associated with the Middle East Commando and was the inspiration for the design of their cap badge. ' Death's head ', brass knuckle duster hilt with a 6 " single edged bowie-style blade contained in a sturdy leather sheath. Unmarked but with a word of mouth provenance of having belonged to a Major Dixie Deans ( not yet researched ). Good, as found condition with patinated hilt and marked blade with slightly dusty scabbard. An excellent example.
WW1 British No.19 MkI Hand Grenade.
Also known as the ' Trench Warfare Dept. Percussion Pattern, the No.19 MkI Hand Grenade was introduced in 1916 and was finally made obsolete in 1920. This example retains approx. 60% of it's original paint and is clearly manufacturer marked J.M.& S to both the body of the grenade and the cap where it is also dated 1916. Original wooden handles and original cloth tapes. An excellent example of a scarce grenade. Fully strippable. INERT
US M1 Helmet - British use Korea.
WW2 production US M1 helmet featuring a British Major's rank insignia and 1st British Commonwealth Division, United Nations Force in Korea formation sign to the side. Later war production M1 with front seam and flexible chin strap loops, contemporary brush repaint with applied divisional insignia and the application of a two loop Major's rank insignia to the shell. Liner unaltered with typically post 1943 production features. Part of a now sadly split group of affects to an anonymous British officer that either served alongside US forces in Korea or who just preferred a US style helmet. In good, used condition. Unusual.
Souvenired Wehrmacht Belt and K98 Bayonet.
Genuine Normandy souvenir acquired directly from veteran's family .Wehrmacht belt with a tabbed, steel buckle by ' Dr Franke & Co ' dated 1941 with a similarly dated and marked tab with separate load attachment ring. Buckle worn with some vestigial paint to obverse but with most finish remaining to reverse. Also with attached frog and bayonet, in this case a 1941 dated example by Herder & Sohn with a non-matching numbered scabbard by E.Packe & Sohn but clearly having been together for most of their existence. Bayonet shows clear signs of use with extensive sharpening, scabbard has had tip removed and now appears to be plugged by dried soil.
WW1 Women's Emergency Corps Armband.
Heavyweight ribbon material armband printed letters ' Women's Emergency Corps ' with printed manufacturer's details to reverse ( Toye & Co, London ), probably closed and retained by a safety pin.The Women's Emergency Corps was formed in 1914 and was one of largest of the women's organisations involved in the relief of war distress, they involved themselves in every aspect of voluntary war work from help with refugees to the teaching of soldiers. Good condition with some marking. Uncommon.
WW2 British DSC Grouping.
Second World War Royal Navy Reserve Distinguished Service Cross (D.S.C.) Gallantry group, comprising D.S.C., named to Lt. CMDR. H. F. M. Preston R.N.R. H.M.S. Cadmus 1943 (hallmarked London 1942), 1939 - 1945 Star, Atlantic Star, Africa Star, Italy Star and War medal with M.I.D. oak leaf (6). Along with his medals is an extensive file of paperwork, including his Mentioned in Despatches, dated 8 / 6 / 43 and his D.S.C. Citation 'For Outstanding zeal, skill and devotion to duty whilst serving as Navigating Officer in H.M.S. Cadmus, in a dangerous minesweeping operation in May 1943', together with various photographs. A very good Second World War Navy Gallantry group.
No.1 Commando Salamander.
An excellent, used example of the woven Salamander sleeve badge worn by No.1 Commando in the period 1941 - 1943. Depicting a green salamander in red and yellow flames. With clear evidence of having been removed from a uniform and subsequently stuck in an album. Scarce
WW2 Luftwaffe tropical shirt breast eagle.
Another veteran acquired Luftwaffe tropical shirt, breast eagle. Clearly removed from a uniform with stitching very much apparent, excellent example of a classic tropical item.
WW2 Mk.III PIAT projectile.
1944 dated Mk.III hollow charge projectile for the Projector Infantry Anti Tank or PIAT. Complete with fuze and with 85%+ of the original paintwork and stencilling. In good overall condition with some minor 'mothing' to the locking ring. disassembles. INERT
Camel Corps photo album grouping.
Grouping of photo albums and an original cap badge for the Imperial Camel Corps. Two photo albums containing a mixture of Camel Corps and family photos, approx. 40 showing Camel Corps service including shots of the badge being worn. Comes with an original cast brass, two-lugged cap badge. Badge is toned overall with both lugs intact, but one twisted. The Imperial Camel Corps was a brigade-sized military formation which fought for the Allies in the Sinai and Palestine Campaign in World War I. Its personnel were infantry mounted on camels for movement across desert.The Corps was founded in January, 1916. In May, 1918 it was reduced in strength to a single battalion. The Corps was formally disbanded in May, 1919. Scarce record of a short lived unit.