19thC British Regimental Souvenir? Brass bear. Help Needed

Norman McCormick · 13th August 2010, 07:13 PM

Hi,
The 'shield' at the throat could perhaps represent a gorget, Gene you may have to salute this little bear as you pass him by.

Regards,
Norman.

P.S. Gorgets were discontinued in the British Army in the second quarter of the 19thC so potentially he could be quite an old bear.

Atlantia · 13th August 2010, 08:14 PM

Jim, Norman
Thank you gentlemen. My initial impression, as I said above was early to mid 19thC, hopefully some kind of commemorative piece from the Napoleonic wars. But I can't think of the connection for the bear?
Bearskin hats of course, but a bear in 'uniform'?
Unless he represented a particular action or a regimental mascot?
These obscure pieces can be a frustrating search!

Atlantia · 14th August 2010, 10:34 AM

Thats a good idea about our non-registered readers Jim.
If anyone has any ideas, please feel free to drop me an email to: gimmieitbaby@aol.com

Jim McDougall · 15th August 2010, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlantia

Thats a good idea about our non-registered readers Jim.
If anyone has any ideas, please feel free to drop me an email to: gimmieitbaby@aol.com

Thanks Gene, and while I always hope that some of the readers out there will join us officially (as I know there is tremendous knowledge and experience out there!) , I do hope they might step forward on this interesting bear.
There is so much history in even the simplest items in so many cases, and like the weapons, even these associated pieces have stories to tell.
Thank you for joining me in the invitation.

All the best,
Jim

13th August 2010, 08:14 PM	#2
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Jim, Norman Thank you gentlemen. My initial impression, as I said above was early to mid 19thC, hopefully some kind of commemorative piece from the Napoleonic wars. But I can't think of the connection for the bear? Bearskin hats of course, but a bear in 'uniform'? Unless he represented a particular action or a regimental mascot? These obscure pieces can be a frustrating search! Last edited by Atlantia; 14th August 2010 at 10:35 AM.

13th August 2010, 07:13 PM	#1
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,650	Hi, The 'shield' at the throat could perhaps represent a gorget, Gene you may have to salute this little bear as you pass him by. Regards, Norman. P.S. Gorgets were discontinued in the British Army in the second quarter of the 19thC so potentially he could be quite an old bear.

14th August 2010, 10:34 AM	#3
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Thats a good idea about our non-registered readers Jim. If anyone has any ideas, please feel free to drop me an email to: gimmieitbaby@aol.com