Dave G Posted 18 November , 2010 Share Posted 18 November , 2010 I have a chance to buy a named, cuff-ranked officer's tunic with RA insignia. The sleeve is leather reinforced at the edge. There are some repaired closed tears and a few moth tracks or small holes. It is not in pristine condition but appears to be an honest example, oddly enough, apparently purchased at a central Texas estate sale 25 years ago, from the estate of a man who immigrated from England, presumably after the war. I have consulted eBay for closed auction results but haven't had much luck. What would be a fair collector to collector price to pay? He's yet to set a price. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Upton Posted 18 November , 2010 Share Posted 18 November , 2010 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WW1-2Lt-Cuff-Rank-SD-Tunic-Hampshire-Regt_W0QQitemZ120644921474QQcategoryZ69683QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp4340.m263QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DDLSL%252BSIC%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%26otn%3D8%26pmod%3D330491971025%252B330491971025%26po%3D%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D4843516941211010088 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchtrotter Posted 18 November , 2010 Share Posted 18 November , 2010 £409...a bit pricey? TT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grovetown Posted 19 November , 2010 Share Posted 19 November , 2010 £409...a bit pricey? TT Thought it was quite keenly priced myself. Yes: quite plain, but a nice one for that - and I was expecting it to nudge over £500. Cheers, GT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave G Posted 19 November , 2010 Author Share Posted 19 November , 2010 I took some pictures of the tunic in question. Turns out there was an officer's hat with it named to a J.F.S. Arthur and presumably this is his tunic. In one of the photos I've tried to show that there was what appears to be the outline of a fusiliers insignia. What do the yellow triangles on each shoulder mean? I can find a yellow inverted triange in the battle insignia book but not this one. Is this tunic a total fabrication? Any comments/opinions appreciated. Three more pictures to follow. Dave Shoulder insignia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave G Posted 19 November , 2010 Author Share Posted 19 November , 2010 I took some pictures of the tunic in question. Turns out there was an officer's hat with it named to a J.F.S. Arthur and presumably this is his tunic. In one of the photos I've tried to show that there was what appears to be the outline of a fusiliers insignia. What do the yellow triangles on each shoulder mean? I can find a yellow inverted triange in the battle insignia book but not this one. Is this tunic a total fabrication? Any comments/opinions appreciated. Three more pictures to follow. Dave Shoulder insignia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchtrotter Posted 19 November , 2010 Share Posted 19 November , 2010 What are the buttons? Looks good from piccies but then there is nothing like looking at the real thing. TT Looks like holes for small T (for territorial) below grenade on collar. TT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave G Posted 19 November , 2010 Author Share Posted 19 November , 2010 What are the buttons? Looks good from piccies but then there is nothing like looking at the real thing. TT Looks like holes for small T (for territorial) below grenade on collar. TT RA buttons. Last picture showing cuff rank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchtrotter Posted 19 November , 2010 Share Posted 19 November , 2010 OK its a RA territorial tunic. Could be RFA or RGA. Not sure if RHA had RA buttons? The cloth triangle looks ok but probably wont be able to ID Battery? The missing insignia will be easy to get. What is the asking price? I would be happy with it and see it as a good project. TT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilB Posted 19 November , 2010 Share Posted 19 November , 2010 Image details Description Medal card of Arthur, John F Stuart Corps Regiment No Rank Royal Field Artillery Lieutenant Date 1914-1920 Catalogue reference WO 372/1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchtrotter Posted 19 November , 2010 Share Posted 19 November , 2010 Looks more and more like a sleeper...go for it. If not let me!!! TT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave G Posted 19 November , 2010 Author Share Posted 19 November , 2010 Here is the hat, in commensurate condition. More pics. Inside. Maker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dutchbarge Posted 19 November , 2010 Share Posted 19 November , 2010 Looks very good all around. I definitely wouldn't let it get away even though I'd expect to pay $1,200-1,500 for jacket and cap. Un-messed with, original kit with a name and provenance are getting very hard to find. Cheers, Bill PS: If you're not interested, let me know! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dutchbarge Posted 19 November , 2010 Share Posted 19 November , 2010 Not to excite further interest in the uniform grouping, but 2nd Lt. J.F.S. Arthur was, according to my 1916 Army List, listed under 1st West Rdiing Ammunition Column as (Instnl. Duties). This would jibe with the RA and Territorial collar devices. I don't have any later Army Lists and the London Gazette (stubbornly) keeps telling me there are no documents for J.F.S. Arthur, but the look of the items, the fact that the name jibes with at least one of the Army Lists tells me you've got a winner. Good luck. Cheers, Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Upton Posted 20 November , 2010 Share Posted 20 November , 2010 There appears to be one slight oddity - the cap badge is a plain polished brass OR's badge, not blackened as it should be for an Officer. However, given it appears to have lost its buttons and chinstrap over time, it might just have been added for effect by someone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dutchbarge Posted 20 November , 2010 Share Posted 20 November , 2010 There appears to be one slight oddity - the cap badge is a plain polished brass OR's badge, not blackened as it should be for an Officer. However, given it appears to have lost its buttons and chinstrap over time, it might just have been added for effect by someone. Right you are! Assuming the extent badge is a replacement, I wonder if there is a second set of holes in the cap for an OSD badge. Cheers, Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave G Posted 20 November , 2010 Author Share Posted 20 November , 2010 A poor picture indeed, but will suffice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave G Posted 20 November , 2010 Author Share Posted 20 November , 2010 Final picture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dutchbarge Posted 20 November , 2010 Share Posted 20 November , 2010 Hello Dave, Do you have a photo of the back of the cap badge? Cheers, Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wainfleet Posted 21 November , 2010 Share Posted 21 November , 2010 Dave This is an excellent group with really nice service wear. Personally I always think the vendor should state a price, and if the onus is being placed on you to make an offer, then I think you are entitled to offer about what a dealer would give, which is probably the equivalent of about £500. If he says he wants more, you can negotiate up, but you can never go back down. Buy it! Regards, W. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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