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.

Spot on about stores issue. The No 2 blues are shockingly bad. The shirts both fade and the material wears rapidly; start with a shirt and 6 months later you’ve got something that looks more like material used for a negligee. As for the trousers, they have a care label that says wash, but actually put them in the washer and very quickly fine threads start to appear that give the impression of a dog having slept on them.

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.

In the 60s, in addition to a faded, well moulded beret, a well buffed kings badge was a prized possession. Still had mine on demob in 84

My old messkit little buttons are on my blazer cuffs and my MN buttons on the front.
I aim for the 'louche look' and don't polish them. :yuk:

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.

The well known P51, used for "padding" civilian logbooks prior to interviews.

"He's got lots of P51 time"

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).

Pen wise how about a Spitfire one


https://www.historicgifts.co.uk/fs-spitfire.php

Hmm, wonder where Alkit fits into the hierarchy of hats ;)

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.

When Courts Martial were/are held on HMS Victory, whoever was carrying the sword (usually a MAA) would jab it in to the beam above, to take the weight!

"rest on your arms reversed" Ah, yes, that's what it was called.
Benson, perchance?

Engraved with?

"If you crash it, burn the evidence"

:p

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

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!

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