World War I British General's Uniform Group

[ZacharyB]

Greetings Gents,

I am wondering if I can get some informed opinions about this set? I am quite interested in Great War history and have a few Imperial German odds and ends in my collection.

This uniform set caught my eye, but I know next to nothing about British items. I have asked for a few additional pictures. Before I get too involved in dealing on this one, I'd like to hear some thoughts about it. I know that request is wonderfully vague.

Kindest Regards,

Z

[peter monahan]

The medal ribbon bar is odd. The 1914 or 14/15 Star was not awarded without also getting the War and Victory Medals. So, either the bar is incomplete or the owner stopped wearing this somewhere between April 1917, when the 1914 Star was authorized and the creation of the War Medal in late April 1919 or shortly after that when the ribbon for it became available. I don't know the dates on ribbons but it was a narrow window, as one sees the Star ribbons on uniforms before the war ended so they were in use by 1918.

[byterock]

hmm nice tunic.

The medal bar would is not 100% correct

From what I can tell

DSO
Queens and Kings SA medal
1914~1915 star

what would be missing is the Victory and War medals as they always went with the 14~15 star

[byterock]

I don't know the dates on ribbons but it was a narrow window, as one sees the Star ribbons on uniforms before the war
ended so they were in use by 1918.

That would be the '1914' or 'Mons' star authorised in Nov 1917, the ribbon was issued then and much later the medal. A rosette was suppose to be worn on the 'Mons' star when on a ribbon-bar.

[ZacharyB]

Thank you gents. That is helpful. In looking at the pics, I was wondering if those were loops above the ribbon bar. Perhaps the missing ribbons were accommodated there? I am not well versed in reading British ribbons and order of precedence though.

Here are some additional pictures that were sent to me. I post them here with the owners permission.

Based on what you see, can someone give me thoughts on an approximate value for this set? I am considering a trade proposal, but am coming up short in trying to find a comparable uniform set for valuation.

Kind Regards and Many Thanks,

Z

[byterock]

the loops would of been for the Medal bar that is normal.

It is more important you get pics of the inside of the cap and the lable on the tunic and a close up of the epaulettes, that would give a better idea for dating.

This was standard uniform for many years and could be upgraded to a general by just chaning the pips on the epaulette

many time you can tell from the epaulette that a Staff captian's uniform was upgraded (after the fact) to some general rank

Just for me the stiching staff officer tabs look very scruffy to me. This would of been a hight quality tailor uniform one would evpect very fine tailoring

[Marc Sherriff]

Personally I do not see anything wrong with any of it.


Marc

[ROBB]

The cap looks very nice and very very rare would be nice to see the inside and buttons though . Rob

[Bond]

The cap if correct really is the star of the group imo, though the chinstrap does look narrow for the period.

The seller really needs to share far more pics of both the cap and the tunic if he expects to sell it for the money being asked.

[aeroraider]

Ribbons

The 14 or 14/15 Star was instituted in 1918. I have seen WWI uniforms with a single ribbon. My assumption is that because the medal predated the War and Victory by many months the ribbon was put up by those entitled. Many were out of service by the time the War and Victory ribbons circulated.

The buttons are for generals only. Upgrading a standard officer uniform would require changing all the buttons. It could be done but finding a full set of matching buttons wouldn't be easy to do.

Ribbon loops above ribbon bar is common. There is a photo of Haig with similar setup.

[RoyA]

An extraordinary ensemble!

[ZacharyB]

I received some additional pictures of the set. Not perfectly clear, but they do show some better details.

[ZacharyB]

It seems that the consensus on this set is leaning toward it being an original World War I era British general's uniform and not a later assembled piece. I hope that these attached images can help confirm that assessment.

Regards,

Z

[byterock]

IMHO the epaulettes look fine and not messed with, the tabs are well tailored just showing thier age.

The cap looks correct (custom made, silk lined, etc) pity the label is long gone

I can't date this myself maybe one of the uniform boffins here on the site ca give you a time range and price.