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.
WW2 British Beja Battle badge.
Original unofficial WW2 British Beja Battle badge, stamped out in white metal in the shape of a shield with a raised edge. The centre is covered with a dark red felt and mounted on it in white metal is a Tiger tank pierced by Crusader's sword (the sign of the First Army) and small plate bearing the single word 'BEJA'. The badge measures 2 inches by 2¾ inches and has a pin brooch fastening on the back. Created by the C.O. of 172nd Field Regiment R.A., in recognition of the achievement of his men in their baptism of fire where men from the regiment were instrumental in halting and destroying the advance of a German armoured group. In recognition of their courage and bravery he personally designed and subsequently had made by Arab craftsmen in Tunis, a badge to commemorate the battle. It was awarded mainly to those members of the Regiment who were in the gun crews, command Posts and OPs at the time of the battle. The exact number of badges awarded is uncertain but it was less than two hundred although it is known that a few at least were also probably bought from the makers by members of the 5th Hampshire's. This unofficial badge was worn without too much regimentation either above the right breast pocket of the Battle Dress Blouse or on the right sleeve below the badge of the 46th Division. In good, worn condition, slightly dusty but otherwise excellent. Scarce.
WW2 Polish wz.1935
English made WW2 Polish wz.1935 "rogatywka" Garrison Cap for a Lieutenant in the Artillery. Fine quality serge body with bullion officer's wire. Silver Polish Eagle surmounting a deep plush dark green band with metal rank stars. Nickel silver buttons with Polish Eagle supporting leather strap with buckle, over a nickel rimmed highly polished peak. Leather sweatband with false silk lining and an oilcloth cover to interior beneath which is the label for ' Lock & Co. London '. Superb example in excellent condition.
GOOD EXAMPLE OF EARLY 2nd Pattn. FS KNIFE BY WILKI
This is a good USED example of the earlier type SECOND PATTERN Fairburn Sykes fighting /commando knife. It has all of the qualities of the much rarer 1ST pattn, with the 's' shaped crossguard. Nickel plated cross hatched grip, lade marked with Wilkinson Sword on one side and 'the FS fighting knife' on the other. Blade is very lean and tidy, it has been used so there are some very slight sharpening marks, but nothing serious. Nice bright blade otherwise. Leather scabbard has nickel lower chape which has a single staple. Brown leather is in fine shape, has had the 'sew on' leather tabs removed. Scabbard throat has two small slits to the side which the blade has done when going back into the scabbard. The elastic retention loop to the top of the scabbard frog has broken, but is all still there.
No.2 Commando Special Service Brigade Sleeve Badge
An excellent example of the bullion sleeve badge worn by No.2 Commando ( Special Service Brigade ) .Silver bullion wire dagger with "SS" on embroidered on to black cloth with calico backing. Pencilled cutters or embroiderers marks to reverse with clear evidence of having been removed from a uniform. Occasionally encountered used as cap badge. Prime example of a very scarce item of insignia.
Victorian Berkshire Yeomanry undress sabertache.
Patent leather undress sabertache for the Royal Berkshire Yeomanry Cavalry. Approximately 1880 in date, the sabertache has the silver device of crescent and star to the front flap. The patent leather has hardened and in some areas chipped, whilst the reverse exhibits considerable wear. However, the structure is still sound with all hanging loops present. Uncommon item to a small Yeomanry force and priced to reflect faults.
WW1 Sopwith Camel seat.
Original WW1 Sopwith Camel pilot's seat. Split cane and wood framed seat with leather padded edge. This very rare survivor is in good condition with some very minor damage to the woven cane body. Leather padding has been partially replaced with a modern replacement leaving approx. 35% of the original, originally this seat would have had a leather cushion or squab. PLEASE CONTACT RE POSTAGE-not heavy, but cumbersome.
ORIGINAL HJ SHOOTING BADGE. RZM M1/14
Part of the items recently purchased at the SoS in Kentucky, this is a lovely Hitler Youth marksmanship/shooting award. Crossed rifles mounted on a target with enamel HJ diamond in the centre. Perfect condition apart from age patina. Reverse has pin back fitting and maker mark of RZM M1/14. This is for ‘Matth. Oescbsler & Sohn Ansbach’. A wonderful original badge, ideal for HJ collector.
WW2 MVSN Fez.
Attractive example of a WW2 Italian Fez as worn by the MVSN or Milizia Volontaria Sicurezza Nazionale, the armed wing of the Facist party better known as Blackshirts. Black wool body with taped edging and black tassels with a bullion symbol to the front. Silk lining with manufacturer's trademark which is repeated to leather sweatband. In good condition with some tears to sweatband.
1914 ' Man in Khaki ' Sock Measure.
Charming early WW1 offering, a boxed ' Man in Khaki ' sock measure. Complete with instruction sheet the ' M.I.K.' measure allowed those knitting comforts to produce uniform size socks in four sizes, particularly ' amateurs ' . In excellent condition with some rubbing and denting to box.
1943 SS Diary.
1943 SS Diary and Yearbook, unused. Uncommon example packed with information from the organisation and raison d'etre for the SS to colourful charts depicting the insignia of all arms of the German forces. The unused diary is filled with additional dates of significance in the National Socialist calender. Worn and slightly tired condition, with some staining. Interestingly inscribed by a Pfc. of the 78th Inf. Div as having been picked up in Dillenburg, Hesse on April 18 1945.