TOPIC:

I am very surprised by Lockdales. This is the first time I can remember them letting a QSA like this through.

Hello Meurig,
Well, I have never had any dealings whatsoever, with this saleroom, but, quite frankly, I do find this sort of thing, really disgraceful, I do not know if they have a "condition report" or an "originality guarantee" and so on, the use of the phrase, in the description "rare clasp" as mentioned by David, suggests, to me, at least, they are actually selling this particular lot as genuine, or attempting to, when, very clearly, it is not.
There are a great many people, for example, who use ebay and would never even contemplate the use of similar sharp practice, it really does beggar belief.
Regards Frank.

SWB wrote: When did any saleroom let research get in the way of a quick buck?

Given the speed one can verify a QSA or KSA today it is bordering on the criminal.

Frank Kelley wrote: I think it is very sad to see people selling obvious rubbish, ebay, is one thing, but, to actually see provincial salerooms being so blatant is disturbing.

djb wrote: Elandslaagte to the ILI??

The description says: QSA with clasps Laings Nek/Relief of Ladysmith/Tugela Heights/Elandslaagte (scarce clasp) to 615 Pte W Cowen IMP Lt INFY

That would be unusual.

WO100/252p19 lists Tr TH Rof LN. QSA (4) issued 12 May 1905. Also served JMR 275.

The ILI nominal roll says William Cowin joined 15 Nov 99 and was discharged 16 Nov 00.

The rivets don't look very good, the clasp spacing is wrong and all 4 clasps are copies in my opinion.

Cowen's QSA sold for a hammer price of £320 yesterday so about right for a 'correct' medal.

I think that £320 is an awful lot of money, in particular, when you have the additional cost of obtaining original clasps as well as the work needed for it's restoration.

Michael Kaplan added a late addition to this week's auction:

V245A
Five Bars: Elandslaagte; Def of L; OFS; Tvl; L Nek
168 Tpr. O.E. GARBUTT Natal MR
Confirmed in the Natal Volunteers and David Biggins Roll for Elandslaagte. PLEASE NOTE : The official MMR history by Eric Goetzsche lists him as KILLED IN ACTION on page 367 of the book.
VF 6000

V245B
Also his brothers medal: Natal Rebellion bar 1906 SQNS H.B GARBUTT Natal Mounted rifles
VF
3000

Rendering Error in layout Message/Item: fopen(http://open.api.ebay.com/shopping?callname=GetSingleItem&appid=DavidBig-ABW-PRD-5bff6a2ad-934180e3&siteid=3&responseencoding=JSON&ItemID=201992189791&version=889&trackingid=djb023&trackingpartnercode=9): failed to open stream: Connection refused. Please enable debug mode for more information.