RAF Officers Sword
Goudie when I was in the militaria business I was regularly asked for brass queen's crown RAF cap badges by serving personnel who wanted to replace the horrible anodised version they had been issued with. They sold at a premium over the earlier king's crown version, which were much more plentiful.
Unfortunately TTN, a Bates hat is not a Bates hat as you and I remember them, as I discovered to my cost and annoyance.
The Bates name was sold and the Bates original was not retained by the purchaser but an inferior style offered as a Bates hat.
Now that all kit comes from 'stores' the No: 1 trousers don't have belt loops nor a back pocket, the hat is horrid to behold and most of the other stuff is cheap and second rate.
Old Duffer
The Bates name was sold and the Bates original was not retained by the purchaser but an inferior style offered as a Bates hat.
Now that all kit comes from 'stores' the No: 1 trousers don't have belt loops nor a back pocket, the hat is horrid to behold and most of the other stuff is cheap and second rate.
Old Duffer
But back to the OP, I used a bayonet on Ops more than I’ve ever used a ceremonial sword - weddings only. Most swords I know are case mounted or hung on study walls etc, slightly bulky as a JO being moved around every 5 minutes. Another suggestion might be a good quality ink pen which has the potential for daily use and should last a long time if you don’t have a habit of losing them.
Goudie when I was in the militaria business I was regularly asked for brass queen's crown RAF cap badges by serving personnel who wanted to replace the horrible anodised version they had been issued with. They sold at a premium over the earlier king's crown version, which were much more plentiful.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Another first class idea. I have 3. A Parker 51 I bought my old man, another I bought for my aunt and a Gold Parker 61 I bought for myself. Much better than any old ball point.
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When I was commissioned (back in the sixties) into the Army I was given (gifted) a GvR infantry officer's sword of the correct pattern, made by Wilkinson & Co. 'Great' thought I, 'I'm now kitted up for all the ceremonials I'll be going on'.
Whilst there were quite a number of parades, colour presentations etc (the last one I can remember was the naming of a British Rail diesel loco after the Regiment, where I was parade 2 i/c) I don't actually remember using my own sword. The sword of choice belonged to a company commander in the battalion who lent it out on a regular basis as it was about half the weight of the ones we junior officers had and this made a big difference if you were faced with a long day in the sun!
My sword now hangs on a beam in my cottage where it quietly gathers dust. I've just taken it down to confirm its vintage and it's very dusty!
Regarding hats, the regimental approved supplier was Herbert Johnson of Bond Street (I think). Bates caps were sometimes worn by the more impecunious but these were frowned on. Moss Bros hats were beyond the pale! My SD hat was from HJ but my No 1 Dress was from Moss Bros. Well it was rarely worn... Sold them both on eBay a couple of years ago; got about £30 for the pair (they were about fifty years old and very battered).
Whilst there were quite a number of parades, colour presentations etc (the last one I can remember was the naming of a British Rail diesel loco after the Regiment, where I was parade 2 i/c) I don't actually remember using my own sword. The sword of choice belonged to a company commander in the battalion who lent it out on a regular basis as it was about half the weight of the ones we junior officers had and this made a big difference if you were faced with a long day in the sun!
My sword now hangs on a beam in my cottage where it quietly gathers dust. I've just taken it down to confirm its vintage and it's very dusty!
Regarding hats, the regimental approved supplier was Herbert Johnson of Bond Street (I think). Bates caps were sometimes worn by the more impecunious but these were frowned on. Moss Bros hats were beyond the pale! My SD hat was from HJ but my No 1 Dress was from Moss Bros. Well it was rarely worn... Sold them both on eBay a couple of years ago; got about £30 for the pair (they were about fifty years old and very battered).
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. . . .
Regarding hats, the regimental approved supplier was Herbert Johnson of Bond Street (I think). Bates caps were sometimes worn by the more impecunious but these were frowned on. Moss Bros hats were beyond the pale! My SD hat was from HJ but my No 1 Dress was from Moss Bros. Well it was rarely worn... Sold them both on eBay a couple of years ago; got about £30 for the pair (they were about fifty years old and very battered).
Regarding hats, the regimental approved supplier was Herbert Johnson of Bond Street (I think). Bates caps were sometimes worn by the more impecunious but these were frowned on. Moss Bros hats were beyond the pale! My SD hat was from HJ but my No 1 Dress was from Moss Bros. Well it was rarely worn... Sold them both on eBay a couple of years ago; got about £30 for the pair (they were about fifty years old and very battered).
I started thinking about sword drill. I once had to learn the sword drill for "rest on your arms reversed" for a funeral. Quite an impressive bit of drill, all done in slow time, culminating in the head lowered to a bow. Whole thing took about 20 seconds as I recall.
I started thinking about sword drill. I once had to learn the sword drill for "rest on your arms reversed" for a funeral. Quite an impressive bit of drill, all done in slow time, culminating in the head lowered to a bow. Whole thing took about 20 seconds as I recall.
Benson, perchance?
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Butting in, a Parker 51 would be a good idea. Fountain pens and aviation don’t always mix, as the combination of pressure change and vibration has ruined many a shirt. The 51 is as resistant to this as any. The 61 is also excellent, but they’re not as tough (later plastic). 51 is a second-hand item only, and needs to be filled from a bottle. If you want new, a pen using standard international cartridges would be good. For a new bottle-filled pen, Pelikan are handsome, well made, practical, and not as posy as the functionally inferior Montblanc.
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On Graduation, a family friend who was also attending presented me with a suitably engraved Ronson lighter. Now THAT got more use than any pen, sword or SD hat. :]
In fact, I’ll go and get it now, and refill it with Zippo lighter fuel for a nostalgic test run.
EDIT: bu§§er, it’s gas, and even with a new flint won’t generate a spark. Ho-hum, it was 1965. Back to my trusty Zippo!
In fact, I’ll go and get it now, and refill it with Zippo lighter fuel for a nostalgic test run.
EDIT: bu§§er, it’s gas, and even with a new flint won’t generate a spark. Ho-hum, it was 1965. Back to my trusty Zippo!
Last edited by MPN11; 26th Nov 2018 at 13:50.
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Engraved with?
"If you crash it, burn the evidence"
"If you crash it, burn the evidence"
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Wilkington swords stopped trading in about 2005. A German company bought all their equipment and took on the job. They are called WKC and their products are great quality - they will even engrave your son's name on the blade.
WKC Royal Air Force Sword
WKC Royal Air Force Sword
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Nutloose, I've just had a look at your link to the sword. I can hardly believe almost 30% will be added to the winning bid.
On second thoughts I can...….. :-(
What a rip-off!
On second thoughts I can...….. :-(
What a rip-off!
Not only that Rosevidney, but an absentee bidder will also be liable to the excessive postal charges which all the major auctioneers now apply, as they use the services of outside carriers to pack and deliver their items. I doubt if the buyer would get away with less then £30 in this instance