WW1 / WW2 / 20th Century

A Rare Karl Goetz Silver Zeppelin World Circumnavigation Medal of 1929

A Rare Karl Goetz Zeppelin Medal. Silver medal of 1929, for circumnavigation of the world, in the airship LZ 127. Half-length portrait of the air pioneer and airship leader Hugo Eckener. Aircraft and flying eagle in front of globe, around the globe a band with star signs. With a punch: BAYER. MAIN COIN OFFICE ? FINE SILVER. 59.98 mm; 54.37 g. Matt finish, very pretty patina, small edge error, almost uncirculated  read more

Code: 22347

A Unique 'Sealed Pattern' Cap Badge of the Fusilier Brigade 16.9 1966

Inspectorate of Stores and Clothing . Since the early XVIII Century, it was common practice for all European armies to approve items of clothing and accoutrements for each regiment in a formal session of the appropriate War Office `Dress Committee`.
At these sessions, an example of each item would be deposited with the Committee, signed, sealed and certified as being the `Sealed Pattern`, against which all items worn in future would be compared. At future inspections of each regiment, any item showing variations from the norm would be amended or scrapped. since the start of the eighteenth century a band of officers of the British Army (or other responsible persons) has approved the quality and finish of all items of military clothing, it was then sealed with the wax of the Board of Ordnance or other Government seal to be recognised as the standard to be kept by the manufacturers. There is valuable evidence to be seen on these patterns because they also carry the date of approval and obsolescence of each item. Unfortunately, that system has not proved to be infallible. In 1841, all sealed patterns accumulated since the beginning of the eighteenth century, were destroyed in a fire at the Tower of London. No secondary store existed and thus all patterns encompassing Marlborough?s campaigns, the Seven Years War, the American War of Independence and the Napoleonic Wars were lost.  read more

Code: 21683

A Rare and Original British WW2 'Concealment' Instructional Poster for The Camouflage Officer

Original British Army poster. With four fold creases and a little staining. 19 inches x 24 inches  read more

Code: 21274

ERII Drum of the Royal Monmouthsire Royal Engineers Regiment.

An ERII, post 1954 drum of a Welsh Royal Engineers regiment. The Royal Monmouthshire. Top skin needs replacing. A most attractive piece of British Military History. The Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers (Militia) (R MON RE(M)) is the most senior regiment in the British Army Reserve, having given continuous loyal service to the crown since 1539. It is part of the reserve forces, and is the only remaining Militia unit in the British Army. The regiment is also unusual in having the word Royal appear twice in its name. It gained the first "Royal" in 1804 when it was known as the Monmouth and Brecon Militia. The second was acquired in 1877 when the regiment transferred from an infantry unit into a Special Reserve section of the expanding Royal Engineers. The top skin in split and would need replacing if it was required to be used as a drum once more.  read more

Code: 21515

A Beautiful Antique Royal Vienna Porcelain Cabinet Plate By Griener

Hand painted by one of the finest artists of Royal Vienna, and signed Griener. A portrait bust of Count Graf von Zeppelin. With gold reflief border. Pre WW1 early 20th Century. Royal Vienna mark in underglazed blue. Gilding of the finest quality 99% good or better condition. The great inventor of the amazing Zeppelin Airships that eventually spanned the globe. DELAG German: Deutsche Luftschiffahrts-Aktiengesellschaft was founded on 16 November 1909 as a subsidiary of the Luftschiffbau Zeppelin Corporation to commercialize airship travel. It became the world's first passenger airline in revenue service with the launch of LZ 7 Deutschland in 1910. While DELAG's initial flights were primarily sightseeing tours, by 1919 it was operating a regular schedule between Berlin and Friedrichshafen with a stop at Munich. Between 1910 and the outbreak of World War I DELAG transported over 34,028 passengers on 1,588 commercial flights.

The first DZR (1935?1940)
The creation of the DZR as successor to DELAG occurred for both political and business reasons. Luftschiffbau Zeppelin (LZ) chairman Hugo Eckener, who had intended to run against Hitler in the 1932 presidential election, was already disliked by the Nazis. When Eckener later resisted the new Nazi government's efforts to use zeppelins for propaganda purposes, Reich Minister of Aviation Hermann G?ring insisted that a new agency be created to extend Party control over LZ Group. A personal rivalry between G?ring and Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels also played a role. To complicate matters further, the Luftschiffbau was a loss-making concern and needed cash investment, in particular to complete construction of the Hindenburg.

Deutsche Zeppelin-Reederei was therefore incorporated on 22 March 1935 as a joint venture between Zeppelin Luftschiffbau, the Ministry of Aviation, and Deutsche Luft Hansa. The LZ Group's capital contribution came primarily from its two airships LZ 127 Graf Zeppelin and LZ 129 Hindenburg, the latter of which was not yet complete on the date of incorporation. Nearly all of the rest was an infusion of cash by the Air Ministry and DLH. In exchange for this, the DZR agreed to ownership apportioned as follows:  read more

Code: 22279

A Super British Military Surgeon's Campaign Set, In Nickel Plated Cylinder

With numerous tools, scissors clamps etc., and cases for needles and blades, for principally bullet and shrapnel extractions. One instrument lacking. Superbly engineered, and a beautiful quality piece. Maker marked by Brown of Leicester. It appears that the case may be designed to be pressure boil sterilized in the field of combat, with a pressure release type system built into the lid. The significance of military medicine for combat strength goes far beyond treatment of battlefield injuries; in every major war fought until the late 19th century disease claimed more soldier casualties than did enemy action. During the American Civil War (1860?65), for example, about twice as many soldiers died of disease as were killed or mortally wounded in combat. The Franco-Prussian War (1870?71) is considered to have been the first conflict in which combat injury exceeded disease, at least in the German coalition army which lost 3.47% of its average headcount to combat and only 1.82% to disease. In new world countries, such as Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Canada, military physicians and surgeons contributed significantly to the development of civilian health care.

Improvements in military medicine have increased the survival rates in successive wars, due to improvements in medical evacuation, battlefield medicine and trauma care. Similar improvements have been seen in the trauma practices during the Iraq war. Some military trauma care practices are disseminated by citizen soldiers who return to civilian practice. One such practice is where major trauma patients are transferred to an operating theater as soon as possible, to stop internal bleeding, increasing the survival rate. Within the United States, the survival rate for gunshot wounds has increased, leading to apparent declines in the gun death rate in states that have stable rates of gunshot hospitalizations  read more

Code: 22685

An Excellent WW2 Free Dutch Navy, Royal Netherland Navy Submarine Captain's Dress Belt 1930's Used in WW2

The service dress belt of a RNN submarine commander of the Royal Netherlands 'Free' Navy of WW2. Commander of a RNN U Boat, the Free Dutch Navy Submarine of WW2 HNLMS O 19 (N 54). Capt. Van Dongen. Luitenant ter zee 1e klasse (Lt.Cdr.) Karel van Dongen, RNN 0 19, 3 Jul 1939 till 31 May 1941. On 10 May 1940, the day the Germans invaded the Netherlands, the entire mobilization was proclaimed in the Dutch colony. Most Dutch warships, including the O 19, were used to protect allied merchant ships and to patrol the Indonesian archipelago.
The submarine performed multiple patrols and missions in the Pacific theater of World War II, sinking multiple Japanese vessels, attacking shipping convoys and laying mines.
On 8 July 1945, O 19 was en route to Subic Bay in the Philippines at a speed of 16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph) when it struck Ladd Reef in the South China Sea. Unable to pull free of the reef, the crew of O 19 were rescued by USS Cod. To prevent enemy capture, O 19 was scuttled by her crew using explosives, torpedoes and gunfire An example of the of the calibre of WW2 serving officers who were awarded such a highly respected decoration was the heroic Canadian born, Royal Air Force fighter pilot ace RUSSEL, F/O Blair Dalzell, DSO, DFC (C1319) -
Officer, Order of Orange-Nassau with Swords (Netherlands)
Awarded as per London Gazette dated 23 January 1948 and
AFRO 81/48 dated 6 February 1948.

Public Records Office Air 2/9293 has recommendation drafted when he was a Wing Commander: In operational command of No.126 Wing, Royal Air Force, stationed at the aerodrome Volkel from September 1944 until February until April 1945, through his excellent work has greatly contributed to the liberation of the Netherlands. During World War II, the Order of Orange-Nassau was bestowed upon both members of the Netherlands military and members of foreign services who had helped liberate the Netherlands from Nazi Germany occupation, and those who helped liberate the former Dutch colonies in the Pacific. In the modern age, the Orange-Nassau is still the most active military and civil decoration of the Netherlands, and ranks after the Order of the Netherlands Lion. The Order is typically awarded each year on the Queen's official birthday (April 30) The Order is also used to honour foreign princes, ministers, dignitaries and diplomats.
The Dutch Navy at the beginning of the war with Germany in May 1940, consisted of 1 coastal defence ship, 5 cruisers, 9 destroyers, 27 submarines, 4 gun boats, 6 minelayers and other smaller vessels. The Dutch Navy fought in many parts of sea like North Sea, Mediterranean and the Pacific sea where the Dutch navy had to defend the Dutch colonies from the Japanese advance.

Dutch naval forces had a contribution of sinking many enemy vessels, including 2 U-boats and also Japanese and even Italian submarines. But they also suffered many losses during the war, especially their submarine arm. They lost the coastal defence ship Soerabaja, the 3 cruisers De Ruyter, Java and Sumatra, 9 destroyers, 11 submarines and other smaller vessels. According to records the Royal Dutch Navy lost 59 warships during WWII [40%] Awarded to the Commander of a RNN U Boat, the Free Dutch Navy Submarine of WW2 HNMS O 19 (N 54)
Navy The Royal Dutch Navy
Type Submarine
Class O 19
Pennant N 54
Built by Wilton-Feijenoord (Schiedam, Holland)
Ordered
Laid down 15 Jun 1936
Launched 22 Sep 1938
Commissioned 3 Jul 1939
Lost 10 Jul 1945
Loss position 8? 40'N, 111? 40'E. We also havehis service medal group, for sale seperately  read more

Code: 22581

A Solid Gilt Bronze, Beautiful, Independence of Brunei 1984 Desk Cannon

In fine deluxe gilt finish, a modern representation of a an early Lantaka Cannon and Carriage, bearing the Royal Crest of the Sultan of Brunei. Especially commissioned for the Independence of Brunei in January 1984. Brunei, officially the Nation of Brunei, the Abode of Peace, it is a country located on the north coast of the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. Apart from its coastline with the South China Sea, the country is completely surrounded by the insular Malaysian state of Sarawak. It is separated into two parts by the Sarawak district of Limbang. Brunei is the only sovereign state completely on the island of Borneo; the remainder of the island's territory is divided between the nations of Malaysia and Indonesia.. The government is an absolute monarchy under the Sultan, which implements a combination of English common law and sharia law, as well as direct general Islamic practices.

At the peak of the Bruneian Empire, Sultan Bolkiah (reigned 1485–1528) is alleged to have had control over most regions of Borneo, including modern-day Sarawak and Sabah, as well as the Sulu Archipelago off the northeast tip of Borneo, Seludong (modern-day Manila), and the islands off the northwest tip of Borneo. The maritime state was visited by Spain's Magellan Expedition in 1521 and fought against Spain in the 1578 Castilian War.

During the 19th century, the Bruneian Empire began to decline. The Sultanate ceded Sarawak (Kuching) to James Brooke and installed him as the White Rajah, and it ceded Sabah to the British North Borneo Chartered Company. In 1888, Brunei became a British protectorate and was assigned a British resident as colonial manager in 1906. After the Japanese occupation during World War II, in 1959 a new constitution was written. In 1962, a small armed rebellion against the monarchy was ended with the help of the British.

Brunei gained its independence from the United Kingdom on 1 January 1984. 28cm long  read more

Code: 11497

A King George Vth Die Struck Grenadier Guards Pagri Badge

The front has lost its gilt wash due to polishing, the rear has it remaining.The Regiment, as the Royal Regiment of Foot Guards, was formed in 1656 by King Charles the Second who was then in exile in Bruges, Flanders. It was known as the First Guards, later becoming the First Regiment of Foot Guards, and now bears the title "The First or Grenadier Regiment of Foot Guards" in honour or the defeat of the Grenadiers of the French Imperial Guard at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.
It is the only Regiment in the British Army that has directly gained it's title from the part it played in action. As seen in all of Her Majesty The Queen's ceremonial occasions, such as Changing of The Guard and Trooping the Colour.  read more

Code: 23760

Deutschland Silver Medal 1929 Auf die Erste Weltfahrt des Zeppelin

Germany Medal 1929 On the first world voyage of the Zeppelin.In August 1929 Graf Zeppelin departed for another daring enterprise: a circumnavigation of the globe. The growing popularity of the "giant of the air" made it easy for Eckener to find sponsors. One of these was the American press tycoon William Randolph Hearst, who requested that the tour officially start in Lakehurst. As with the October 1928 flight to New York, Hearst had placed a reporter, Grace Marguerite Hay Drummond-Hay, on board: she therefore became the first woman to circumnavigate the globe by air. From there, Graf Zeppelin flew to Friedrichshafen, then Tokyo, Los Angeles, and back to Lakehurst, in 21 days 5 hours and 31 minutes. Including the initial and final trips between Friedrichshafen and Lakehurst and back, the dirigible had travelled 49,618 kilometres (30,831 mi).
In the following year, Graf Zeppelin undertook trips around Europe, and following a successful tour to Recife, Brazil in May 1930, it was decided to open the first regular transatlantic airship line. This line operated between Frankfurt and Recife, and was later extended to Rio de Janeiro, with a stop in Recife. Despite the beginning of the Great Depression and growing competition from fixed-wing aircraft, LZ 127 transported an increasing volume of passengers and mail across the ocean every year until 1936. The ship made another spectacular voyage in July 1931 when it made a seven-day research trip to the Arctic. This had already been a dream of Count von Zeppelin twenty years earlier, which could not be realised at the time due to the outbreak of war.
Grade: VF-EF, Kratzer, fleckig
Material: Silver
Weight: 19.77 g
Diameter: 36.00 mm
Silbermedaille 1929. (Signatur R).

Vs.: Büste von Graf Zeppelin über den Büsten von Eckener und Dürr
Rs.: Adler n. r., darunter Globus zwischen zwei Sternen
Randpunze: BAYER. HAUPTMÜNZAMT FEINSILBER  read more

Code: 23717