I was looking for a military bugle to complement my small collection of WW1 artifacts, but all I seemed to find on ebay were these modern copies with military cap-badges attached. I lost count of the number of 'rare' 23Regt Royal Welsh Fusilier bugles I found. I tried searching under military bugle, infantry bugle, army bugle and even regimental bugle. But all that were advertised had no WD stamp or makers name. I saw one that was attributed to a certain regiment from WW1 - and even a persons name. But when I enquired about it and asked for proof of the connection between the soldier's name and regiment, it was mysteriously withdrawn from sale.
I even put 'military bugle' into my search engine, and that lead me to a very informative Canadian museum website which gave an insight to the tricks being perpatrated by some unscrupulous seller's on ebay. There was also an article on what to look for with the markings on bugles. Basically, it stated that if there is no WD & crow's foot stamp it isn't military issue.
In one last attempt to find a half-decent bugle I went back on ebay and looked under 'antique bugle' for a change. There was one rather battered example for sale.And the description just said... Antique bugle, Henry Potter 1894. See pictures for details. I was going to give it a miss, as the pictures were very dark. But in the end I got the pictures up and enlarged them to get a better look.
The address was; Henry Potter - 30 Charing Cross - London - 1894. Above this was stamped WD with broad arrow and the number 52. In the next picture there was another inscription that was just visible. It reads; A COMPANY - 1st V/B The Buffs - Ramsgate. Just above the WD stamp can be seen the very feint remains of the regimental badge. The bugle cost me £50, and I consider it to be an absolute bargain for what is without doubt a genuine Boer War bugle.
Bookmarks