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.
British Para Beret and Indian Made Sorbo Training
These two items recently came into my shop from the estate of local veteran who recently passed away, they were both found in his garage. The beret has seen better days, the nap to the body has worn down from use and it has some holes, the front badge is a collar example but this has been on the beret for many years, nap of the material is much stronger behind the badge and lots of verdigris can be found under the retaining prongs at the back of the badge. The inside liner has lost its makers stamp but the Z prefix above the broad arrow dates this to 1945, inside is in used condition but complete. The Sorbo training helmet is an Indian made example as seen by the hand stiched grommets and the ''I'' prefix under the broad arrow stamping to the centre. Its in very nice condition, one repair to a side skirt near the fastening strap. This one has a very clear name to the inside skirt. Even with the beret in very used condition, its original and being found with the Indian made sorbo helmet, will be a great display item. As for the sorbo helmet, these Indian made examples rarely turn up for sale and a search of the inernet will show photos of these helmets actually been used to drop paras into action in Burma. Of course these have never been in a collection before.
British MKII Police Helmet, 1939 Dated. Super Cond
I cannot over state the condition on this example. The paint work rates at nearly 100% , inside and out, just a couple of scratches to the outside and to the rim. The Police markings to the front are the stencilled type and has survived again in nearly 100%.There is some sort of staining to the crown area, allmost like the markings found on British helmets that have been stacked over the years, i have not tried to remove this. The inside of the helmet is maker marked and dated 1939. The second pattern liner is maker marked and dated 1939, the condition of the liner is the best ive seen just some minor cracking to the material. The chinstrap is in perfect condition. This helmet was brought into my shop this morning, its never been in any collection.
British MKII Army Helmet and Netting. 1940.
Sound example of a MKII British army helmet with its original period net. The helmet has over 80% of its original matt green finish, the crown area has some rust bleed poking thru, the net is in very good order with jus two small holes. The inside has good paint finish and rust bleed . The shell is maker marked and dated 1940. The inside MK2 liner is still supple with no damage, its maker marked and dated 1939, the helmet and liner have never been apart. Chinstrap is complete and in very nice condition. Nice to find one of these thats been kept together and having a nice early date.
British Ranked White Police Officers Steel Helmet.
Condition is very nice with most of its original white finish to the outside shell, the Police title has survived with only the usual crazing and toneing from age, the pip has a couple of knocks. The top screw is original to the helmet and tight. The inside shell has over 50% of its original police blue finish, the liner is complete and supple if not some what dirty from being found in a Garden shed, i have not tried to clean any of it, i will leave this to the new owner if they wish, this means that i cannot see a size, date or maker to the liner but its the first patter with donut top pad indicating an early war item, again no date to be found on the shell. The chinstrap is strong and supple, owners initials found on one side.
SS 4 Year Long Service Medal.
Die struck with nearly all its black finish intact, tear drop hanging loop is the period original but its been bent out of shape. Details to the front and back are sharp. No ribbon.
Minty Iron Cross Second Class, W&L.
Pretty close to being a minty unissed example with nearly all its frosting to the beaded inner frame and top ring, iron centre has 100% of its factory finish, nice length of period ribbon. I belive its a W&L made example.
Imperial German Medal Bar, Order of Zahringen.
Found in what appears to be its original cardboard box is this nice four place bar which includes the second class order of the Lion of Zahringen. The iron cross is in very nice condition with nice finish to its iron centre , ring is stamped with a letter ''K''. The order has no chips or damage to the green glass arms or central enamel motiffs, nice finish to the swords and back design. Baden meirt medal again in very nice condition, the last ribbon is missing its veterans WW1 service medal, easy to replace. The back of the bar has its full felt backing and period fixing bar. Nice example.
Imperial Iron Cross First Class, 900 and Maker Mar
Very nice example with 97% of its original balck factory finish to the central core , slight rust bleed to the crown only. The silver frame has crisp beading and the two piece frame is tight with no splits, its convex. The rear has its original hardware and has some patina , just above the bottom catch there is a clear crisp 900 and Meybauer makers stamp.
1939 Bar To The Iron Cross 2nd Class. Prinzen.
In very nice condition with its burnish highlights to the factory finish, details are crisp, both fixing prongs present. Comes with a length of ribbon that someone has added.
Rare WW1 5th Glamorgan V.T. Corps Arm Band.
The band has a red wool outer thats in very good condition, a few of moth nips with a good sized chunck out near the fastening strap, well its wool and over 100 years old, what moth wouldnt want a good chomp. The black frontal letters are machine stitched thru the red wool and into the hessian type backing, buckle is in sound condition. The inside has clear black stampings to the 5th battalion, regimental number 25. There is an added bonus here with the owner having added his name and address to the inside, he was from the Cardiff area.