WW1 / WW2 / 20th Century

German WW2 Kriegsmarine Weapons Control Foreman Speciality Trade Badge

Sonderausbildung Abzeichen für Waffenleitvormann Truppen Ausbildung summer service rig.
On entering Kriegsmarine service all personnel were assigned and trained for a specific career. These careers consisted of a wide variety of speciality trades and functions with some of the careers restricted to certain rank groups. On successful completion of the appropriate training, personnel were issued distinctive career insignia to be worn on the upper left sleeve of the uniforms. For EM/NCO’s the career insignia could be worn combined with the rank insignia or as separate insignia. Enlisted ranks of Matrose up to and including Hauptgefreiter career insignia were generally embroidered on small round bases while NCO ranks of Maat up to and including Oberdeckoffizier career insignia were on larger, vertically oval bases and could come in embroidered or stamped alloy versions. Regulations dictated that the base colour of the insignia was to match the colour of the uniform it was worn on. Of Note: Rank designations were tied to the career the individual was assigned to. The insignia consists of a vertically oval, light weight, ribbed white cotton/rayon blend base with machine embroidered, upward and downward pointing, arrow dial heads superimposed on a circular base with staggered, outer graduation bars, all in bright red cotton threads, with larger red chevron. The outer edge of the white cotton/rayon base has a narrow white rayon reinforcement strip machine stitched in place.  read more

Code: 24497

A Very Desirable Early Neck Ribbon for a German WW2 Knight's Cross of the War Merit Cross

In two pieces. An extremely useful ribbon if one had a Knights Cross of the war Merit Cross lacking its ribbon. New replacement reproduction ribbon is available and relatively inexpensive, but old, early ribbon is another matter entirely.

The Knights Cross of the War Merit Cross was considered to be ranked higher than the German Cross in silver, but below the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross. A medal now valued between £4,000 to £10,000. A total of 118 awards of the Knights Cross of the War Merit Cross with swords, and 137 awards without swords were awarded. Considering the relative rarity of the award compared with the grades of the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross, it took on "extra meaning" it did not necessarily deserve, as it ranked below the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross. For example, Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring made a concerted effort to get Hitler to award him this order, much to Hitler's annoyance. In response, Hitler outlined a series of criteria governing the awarding of this decoration and the philosophy of such awards, and directed that "prominent party comrades" were not to be awarded with the Knights Cross of the War Merit Cross (or similar decorations), and withdrew the proposed awards of this order to Gauleiter Erich Koch and Herbert Backe. Directing his comments at Göring personally, Hitler ordered that such attempts to gain this award be stopped. Also, six persons received two Knights Crosses of the War Merit Cross (each one with and without Swords): Walter Brugmann, Julius Dorpmüller, Karl-Otto Saur, Albin Sawatzki, Walter Schreiber, and Walter Rohlandt.  read more

Code: 24490

A Most Interesting & Scarce Vintage Patrolman's Police Shield Arvida Police. Numbered II

A now defunct force. In very good condition overall , with a panel at the base front. Bears the central affixed number, II. With central north-south affixing pin with rotating safety fixing.  read more

Code: 24488

An Unusual Piece of Original, Airship Aeronautica, 1929 Zeppelin Display Stand, In Oak With Zeppelin Badge And Carved Airship

Ferdinand von Zeppelin served as an official observer with the Union Army during the American Civil War. During the Peninsular Campaign, he visited the balloon camp of Thaddeus S. C. Lowe. Lowe sent the curious von Zeppelin to another balloon camp where the German-born aeronaut John Steiner could be of more help to the young man. His first ascent in a balloon, made at Saint Paul, Minnesota during this visit, is said to have been the inspiration of his later interest in aeronautics.

Zeppelin's ideas for large dirigibles was first expressed in a diary entry dated 25 March 1874. Inspired by a recent lecture given by Heinrich von Stephan on the subject of "World Postal Services and Air Travel", he outlined the basic principle of his later craft: a large rigidly-framed outer envelope continuing a number of separate gasbags. In 1887 the success of Charles Renard and Arthur Krebs' airship La France prompted him to send a letter to the King of W?rttemberg about the military necessity for dirigibles and the lack of German development in this field. He went on to start the Zeppelin Airship Co. and his name lived on in German legend as the great airship pioneer of international travel and airship warfare. 11 inches x 9 inches x 3.5 inches  read more

Code: 17596

British Royal Crest General Service Helmet Plate in Gilt Brass

The Royal Coat of Arms for the British monarchy. The coat features both the motto of English monarchs, Dieu et mon droit (God and my right), and the motto of the Order of the Garter, Honi soit qui mal y pense (shame upon him who thinks evil of it) on a representation of the Garter behind the shield. It measures 83mm x 64mm  read more

Code: 23818

A Joseph Rodgers & Sons 6 Norfolk St. Sheffield Ltd Bowie Knife

A famous firm of cutlers and silversmiths founded in Sheffield in 1682. It was converted under the style of Joseph Rodgers & Sons Ltd in 1871.
The factory was at 6 Norfolk Street, Sheffield and a showroom at 60 Holborn Viaduct, London.

With Joseph Rodgers GR Crown stamp with the 1891 England mark. on the reverse ricasso is the star and Maltese cross stamp

The star and Malta cross marks was originally that of Benjamin Rich. Rogers registered the same mark in 1764.

Overall used but a very nice example of these famed Bowies from one of the great early Sheffield Bowie makers. Private purchase knives such as this were very popular by British [and American] special forces in WW2 before the FS knife was produced in good numbers in 1941.

No scabbard  read more

Code: 24485

A Very Good WW1 Essex Regiment Sterling Silver & Polychrome Enamel Sweetheart Brooch

These brooches are miniature replicas of the badges of military regiments, naval units, the Royal Flying Corps and the RAF, generally known as sweetheart brooches because they were often given as romantic keepsakes by members of the armed forces to their wives and girlfriends before they left for the front.

During the First World War, the Essex Regiment provided 30 infantry battalions to the British Army. The 3rd (Special Reserve) (formerly Militia) battalion was mobilised to supply drafts to the two Regular battalions. On the outbreak of war, the Territorial battalions (4th-7th, and 8th (Cyclist) Battalions), all formed second line (2/4-2/8th) and eventually third line (3/4th-3/8th) battalions. Three service battalions (9th, 10th and 11th) and one reserve battalion (12th), were formed from volunteers in 1914 as part of Kitchener's Army. A further service battalion (13th (West Ham)), was raised by the Mayor and Borough of West Ham. Reserve battalions were created as the war progressed, including the 14th (from the depot companies of the 13th), the 15th, 16th and 17th (from provisional battalions), the 18th (Home Service) and 1st and 2nd Garrison Battalions. The regiment's battle honours for the First World War include Le Cateau, Ypres, Loos, Somme, Cambrai, Gallipoli and Gaza. The 1st Battalion took part in the first day of the Battle of the Somme on 1 July 1916. The battalion, which comprised W, X, Y, and Z companies, took up position in the British trenches at 3:30 am. At 8:40 am, the battalion received orders to advance and clear the German first-line trenches. It was delayed by heavy enemy fire and congestion in the communication trenches. The Newfoundland Regiment advancing to the left of the Essex battalion was almost entirely wiped out as it advanced towards the German lines. At 10:50 am, the Essex companies were in position and received orders to go "over the top". The companies came under heavy artillery and machine gun fire almost as soon as they appeared over the parapet, causing heavy losses. The attack became bogged down in no man's land. The battalion received orders from 88th Brigade headquarters to recommence the attack at 12:30 pm, but at 12:20 pm the battalion commander advised brigade HQ that "owing to casualties and disorganisation", it was impossible to renew the attack. The survivors of the battalion received orders to hold their position along the line of 'Mary Redan' 'New Trench' 'Regent Street'  read more

Code: 24481

Solid Silver Metropolitan Police Coronation Medal, George Vth 1911

Named to PC Bramble. Very good condition. Original ribbon with silver Spink and Son mount.
The Police Coronation Medal was sanctioned in 1911 as an award to policemen, members of ambulance units, firemen and Royal Parks' staff on duty during the official celebrations of the coronation of King George V that took place during 1911.

The medal is silver and is 1.4 inches (36 mm) in diameter. It was designed by the Australian sculptor Bertram Mackennal.

Obverse: A crowned left-facing bust of King George V with the inscription GEORGIVS V REX ET IND: IMP:.
Reverse: The Imperial Crown with an ornate surround, with the inscription CORONATION 1911 below and the name of the service the recipient was serving with above.
Ribbon: 1.25 inches (32 mm) wide. Red with a narrow central blue stripe, with a similar stripe towards each edge.
The recipient's rank and name were engraved on the edge of the medal  read more

Code: 13773

Fascinating German WW2 Public Notice Poster Regarding Two Luftwaffe Flyers. Public Crucifixion of Former Luftwaffe Fighting Aces. Blamed For The Loss of The Battleship Tirpitz

Der flieger [flyer] Stefan Egidy hat sich vorsatzlich auf wache einen schuss in den oberschenkel beigebracht, um seine zeitweise versetzung in das helmatgeblet zu erreichen .er hat dabel einen ueberfall seitens franzosen vorgetauscht durch urtell des feldkriegsgerichts ist er wegen zerstzung der wehrkraft durch selbstverstummelung und wegen wachvergehen zu 5 jahren zucthaus und verlust der wehrwurdigkeit verurteilt worden. Roughly it translates that Flyer Stefan Egidy was court martialled for a self inflicted wounding and sentence to 5 years and loss of privileges. Also Flieger [flyer] Niklaus Nels was similar court-martialled and sentenced to 3 years 6 months. German pilots were occasionally court-martialled for all manner of reasons, another one at the time was Born in Oberbalbach, Heinrich Ehrler, he grew up in the Weimar Republic and Third Reich as one of 12 children. He joined the military service in the Wehrmacht in 1935, initially service with the artillery and anti-aircraft artillery. He participated in the Spanish Civil War and following the outbreak of World War II transferred to the Jagdwaffe (fighter force). Following flight training, he was posted to the 4. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 77 (JG 77?77th Fighter Wing), which was later redesignated to 4. Staffel of Jagdgeschwader 5 (JG 5?5th Fighter Wing).

Scapegoated for the loss of the German battleship Tirpitz, Ehrler - who had been nominated for the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords prior to the disaster - was court-martialled, stripped of his command and sentenced to three years and two months Festungshaft (honorable imprisonment). Ehrler's sentence was later commuted and his loss of rank rescinded, and in February 1945 he was transferred to Jagdgeschwader 7. According to his fellow pilots, Ehrler thereafter flew in the increasingly desperate air battles without the purpose and dedication that had made him one of the Luftwaffe's most successful aces. On 4 April 1945, he shot down two Allied bombers for his final two victories, before destroying a third by ramming with his damaged aircraft after having run out of ammunition. His last recorded statement was "Theo, I have run out of ammunition. I'm going to ram this one. Good bye. We'll see each other in Valhalla." - Heinrich Ehrler's last transmission over the Squadron Radio Network before he rammed the B-24 bomber "Trouble in Mind," piloted by Captain John Ray, destroying both aircraft and killing himself. Central tear through middle can't be seen in photo

Intriguing ephemera from the 3rd Reich would look very fine if framed, obviously not in good condition but as direct examples of WW2 aeronautical history absolutely fascinating. Remarkable to survive and probably unique examples.  read more

Code: 19675

A Most Desirable Canadian WW1 Historical Regimental Ross Bayonet of The 1st Depot Battalion, 1st Quebec Regt.

A veritable museum grade collectors piece. With superb regimental markings from the small number of conscripts and heroes of the ill fated, 1st Depot Batt. The Quebec Regt. Who suffered a terrible percentage of casualties at the Western Front. A fairly uncommon bayonet to find unmarked these days, but, very rare to find with good regimental markings, especially by such a small detachment of conscripts from a regiment of such noble history. A draft of Military Service Act, 1917 conscripts from the 1st Depot Battalion, Quebec Regiment, Montreal sailed on the S.S. Scandinavian March 25, 1918 arriving in England April 3, 1918. The total size of this draft at present is unknown probably about 500 soldiers. What is known is that 140 of this draft were channelled through the 23rd Reserve Battalion into the 14th (Royal Montreal) Battalion. Of this draft of 140 soldiers,100 were casualties with 22 deaths all within the last 100 days of the war! Photo in the gallery of Headquarters, Depot Battalion, Quebec Regiment, Montreal, March 27, 1918, Lt.-Col. L.J. Daly-Gingras, D.S.O., O.C. A photo in the gallery of a mounted soldier, Onil Basette of Marieville, 1st Depot Battalion, 1st Quebec Regiment, taken in 1918. The bayonet metal is unusually painted red . Details of their noble and heroic service in just those 100 days are including in the following engagements; The Advance in Picardy (8 August 3 September, 1918) Amiens 8-11 August 1918
The Breaking of the Hindenburg Line (26 August ? 12 October, 1918) Arras, 1918 26 August 3 September 1918
Scarpe, 1918 26-30 August 1918
Drocourt-Queant Line 2-3 September 1918
Hindenburg Line, Battles of the 12 September 9 October 1918
Canal du Nord 27 September 2 October 1918
Picardy (17 October 11 November) Pursuit to Mons 11 November 1918  read more

Code: 20566