Mons' :- Site news Summer 2017

Summer 2017
I'm adding 'new' listings, 'Little & Often' to my web-site sales pages on a minimum of twice a week.
Mons' is always happy to receive the offer of surplus to collection items, either as part exchanges or direct purchase. (As long as a seller is happy / can comply with my buy in regime, see terms 'Buying In').
The 'house-keeping chores' I have started to carry out are on going, with some being a little more time consuming than I would have liked / expected; the organisation of new stock being the worst offender in this respect. It is something that I MUST however do before my stock becomes unmanageable.
I have a good number of 'interesting' items to list, so continued site viewing is as ever encouraged.
Site promotion via social media and attendance at militaria fairs is bringing to Mons' new site viewers, buyers and sellers alike.
Its hoped that new and old site viewers alike are at the very least kept interested by new site additions.

Mons Military Antiques can now also be followed on 'Twitter'....search & follow Richard Archer @DICKY61ARW

....'Busy times-ahead, and much too do, and catch up on.....please remember its only me doing it all !

'Hope to hear from you soon' !

Best regards....Richard

Code: 106877Price: On Request

WW1 BRITISH 1902 PATTERN SERVICE DRESS TUNIC (1918 MODIFICATION)

An excellent condition 1902 pattern other ranks service dress tunic as worn throughout WW1 in its varying forms.
This tunic is badged and buttoned to the 'Kings Royal Rifles' and given its vintage the wearing of regimental buttons was now becoming a mainstream dress code, rather than the use of the generic general service button.
Tunic is in excellent damage free condition showing light use only, with a tailored interior collar.
The shoulder straps have had the shoulder titles repositioned and as such evidence of a second set of holes is present (exactly the same as those holding the titles).
The interior is with its vintage buff / brown coloured lining (see history description below) and as was common is without its shell dressing pocket.
Moth free, the tunics condition given its age is best described as exceptional.
A super example of this '02 pattern of tunic representing the very last stages of WW1 and its transition into the 1922 patten tunic.
Would be hard to better for condition.

The 1902 pattern service dress tunic basically changed little in its twenty years of service with the British army.
It was born in its khaki serge form out of the denim tunic used by the British army in the Boar war. Its first pattern had a waste band and a rear central re-enforcing panel.
By the out break of WW1 this form of tunic had been simplified to basically the tunic shown here.
For the first two years of the war lining differences were the basic variants only until the introduction of the 'simplified utility' tunic manufactured in late 1915 and introduced main stream throughout the spring and summer of 1916.
By the end of 1917 and now into the final year of the war the simplified tunic had become a thing of the past with the reverting back to the 'standard' war time issue 1902 pattern tunic.
In mid / late 1918 the 1902 pattern tunic with its distinctive double dart front collar underwent its last transformation, until its replacement in 1922 with the service dress tunic of the same 'name'.
The white lining was done away with completely, being replaced by the buff / brown coloured liner. Many tunics were not fitted with shell dressing pockets (this is not a 100% 'rule of thumb', I have seen this later tunic with shell dressing pockets), and I am certain that the paper issue label was not common place with its issue.
This 1902 patten of tunic has over the years acquired the 'nick name' the 1918 patten tunic....
In 1922 the '1918' pattern tunic under went another tell tail change with the double dart collar giving way to the single dart (for simplified tailoring); thus the 1922 pattern tunic was born.
In real terms, all of the varying patterns of 1902 tunics are to all intense and purposes a 1902 pattern tunic....the 'date markers' are in fact dates in which the tunic underwent a re-modification, mainly to meet the need of the war and war production.
By far the greatest change was the mid war change to the 'utility' tunic....this tunic was still a 1902 pattern tunic with economy modifications. The '1922' pattern tunic might well more accurately be described as a 1902 pattern tunic with 1922 pattern modifications.
The above dates are for me land-mark points in the tunics evolution and are most use-full in detailing when the tunic may well have been manufactured, issued and worn.

Code: 106876Price: 875.00 GBP

WW2 BRITISH M.T.C. SERVICE DRESS TUNIC

A very nice, used tunic to a serving member of the Mechanised Transport Corps MTC.
Tunic is in excellent condition, showing honest use and with one or two period minor repairs.
Plain brown buttons (brass with a brown finish). Cuff is scolloped with blue piping and rank pips above.
Both sleeves have qualification / service badges being mechanical competence (crossed spanners) and secondment for transport to the Ministry of Supply.
The collars have been at some time fitted with brooch pin fitting collar badges, thus being evident by a fade shadow on the collar. (The collar has not been punctured).
Sadly no owner / wearer details can be found inside the pockets.
Tunic is moth free, with the size in keeping with a build of its vintage.
A nice untouched tunic !

Code: 106874Price:

WW2 ALLIED PRESS PHOTOGRAPH NORMANDY CAMPAIGN INTEREST (2)

A group shot of German POW's taken at Normandy being disembarked from a tank landing craft in the UK.
A good study of late war axis uniforms in combat wear.
Reverse complete with information flimsy.

Code: 106872Price: 15.00 GBP

WW2 ALLIED PRESS PHOTOGRAPH NORMANDY CAMPAIGN INTEREST (1)

A superb press photograph taken at a casualty clearing station in Normandy with a home front blood donor 'message'.
The image is a a wounded soldier being transfused prior to operation.
The blood being used is from donors residing in Bristol.
An image showing the face of war behind the front lines !
Reverse complete with information flimsy.

Code: 106871Price: 8.00 GBP

WW2 ALLIED PRESS PHOTOGRAPH OF AN ITALIAN AIRMAN POW

Another super moment in time image of a rather down beat Italian airman under armed military police escort.
Reverse complete with information flimsy.

Code: 106870Price: 10.00 GBP

WW2 ALLIED PRESS PHOTOGRAPH OF AXIS PRISONERS TAKEN IN ITALY

A good group shot of what are described as Mongolian prisoners taken in Italy being loaded into a cargo ship.
Us navy personnel look on with interest from the shore and the boat deck.
Reverse complete with information flimsy.

Code: 106869Price: 6.00 GBP

WW2 ALLIED PRESS PHOTOGRAPH DIEPPE RAID INTEREST

An excellent study of a captured German prisoner under escort by a British soldier of an undetermined unit.
A super moment in time image.
Good detail of a Thompson Sub-machine gun carried by the British soldier.
Reverse complete with information flimsy.

Code: 106868Price: 15.00 GBP

R 101 DISASTER COMMEMORATION SOUVENIR

An extremely rare printed tissue 'napkin' commemorating the R 101 disaster and the casualties of the crash.
The overall condition of the napkin is exceptional given its age, with age foxing only and one small are of splitting. (The splitting is barely visible (see image 5) and follows the line of print detail).
It has been folded at some time while stored and as such their are crease marks to it.
The printed detail is clear and easily read.
Their is something of a 'crudeness' in its manufacture suggesting that it was not intended for longevity.
Approx 34cms X 34cms.
A superb piece of British airship aviation history.

Code: 106867Price: 450.00 GBP

WW1 BRITISH 58TH (LONDON ) DIV. JUNE 1917 INTELLIGENCE REPORT

A rare to survive, intelligence report for activity from June 5th - June 6th for operational areas on the western front for true 58th London Div.
Excellent detailed information on both allied and enemy activity, both on the ground and in the air (Zeppelin activities included).
The full scape report is headed 'Confidential. Not to be taken into the front line.'
It has been folded into four and as such is creased accordingly, but is damage free with age foxing only.
A super item for those interested especially in this division.

Code: 106864Price: 175.00 GBP