Lot 350: A Collection of British Military and Railway Uniform Accessories including a J. Hudson and Co Whistle, RAF Insignia, and LNER Buttons

This lot comprises a variety of uniform accessories from British military and civilian services. A vintage metal whistle of the Metropolitan pattern is stamped to the barrel with the characters THE METROPOLITAN, J. HUDSON & CO, 13. BARR ST, BIRMINGHAM, and PATENT. It is attached to a length of thick twisted jute lanyard. Included is a gold bullion wire embroidered badge featuring a central laurel wreath surrounding the letters RAF, surmounted by a King’s Crown, worked onto a navy blue wool backing. An assortment of gilt-metal buttons features the Royal Air Force eagle motif surmounted by a Queen’s Crown; the reverse of these buttons is stamped with the maker’s mark FIRMIN LONDON. The railway interest is represented by an assortment of brass buttons for the London & North Eastern Railway. One design features the script letters LNER, while another depicts a heraldic shield and the motto FORWARD within a border reading LONDON & NORTH EASTERN RAILWAY. One railway button reverse bears the impressed marks HERBERT … STRATFORD and QUALITY. A single gilt-metal button shows a fouled anchor surmounted by a King’s Crown. Also present is a white fabric tailor’s label printed in blue with the text Gieves Limited LONDON and two royal warrants.