Shop - Books, Special Numbers & Binder

In addition to The Bulletin, The Military Historical Society has published occasional Special Issues since 1968. These generally cover previously unpublished research material providing an in-depth study on a single subject. The publications are referred to as SPECIAL NUMBERS, some of which are now out of print. Special Numbers are now published every one to two years and this listing includes all the Special Numbers which have been published to date. Those which are still available for purchase have a price and an "Add to Basket" button. The list of Special Numbers also contains a book published by member Rana Chhina and the two First World War centenary commemorative editions of Durbar.

Members occasionally return copies of Special Numbers which are out of print and we maintain a wants list for members who are looking for copies of these Special Numbers. Members are invited to submit a list of any out of stock items which they are seeking to Sales

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Special Numbers

The British Infantry Tunic 1855-1914 by Bryan Fosten
(Item no. S031)

Written by the late Bryan Fosten, we are indebted to his family for allowing us to publish his unpublished manuscript and to our Editor, Gary Gibbs, a very close friend of the Fosten brothers, who has facilitated the publication. Readers will be very familiar with Bryan’s magnificent illustrations for the popular Osprey series of military titles and his own Thin Red Line publication. A full tribute is carried in the Special Number but, suffice it to say that, as a long-standing supporter of the MHS, it is hoped that this Special Number will serve as a lasting tribute to one of the finest military uniform researchers and illustrators of recent times.





£12.00p

 


RECONSTITUTION – The formation of the Armies of India and Pakistan – August 1947 by Tony McClenaghan
(Item no. S030)

This ground breaking and superbly illustrated Special Number by Tony McClenaghan was issued in November 2022. It was written with the cooperation of Sqn Ldr Rana Chhina in Delhi and Ian Maine and his team at the National Army Museum. The publication starts with a 20-page essay on the background to and the process of Reconstitution, and is followed by 76 pages illustrating and describing the pre- and post-1947 badges of the various Regiments and Corps. The badges are all illustrated with photographs provided by The National Army Museum of badges in the Field Marshal Chapple Collection of Indian Army badges which is now held by the Museum. The booklet concludes with a 5-page bibliography. The work is complemented by a newly drawn Map of the Indian Army Regimental Centres (excluding Gurkhas) in August 1947 which is folded in a pocket on the inside back cover. This Special Number is set to provide a definitive and enduring guide to the subject.



£12.00p

 


INDIAN DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL by Squadron Leader Rana Chhina MBE IAF Retd
(Item no. S029)

The only comprehensive record and complete medal roll of the Indian Distinguished Service Medal. The book provides a complete roll of all recipients, by regiment or corps, listed in chronological order according to the date of the General Government Order (GGO) authorising the award. Each entry includes number, rank, full name, the date and theatre of award and, where known, details of other awards and whether replacement medals were issued. The roll is split into two parts: 1907 to 1922 and 1922 to 1947 in order to reflect the reorganisation of the Indian Army in 1922, which led to changes in many unit titles. There is also a comprehensive account of the origin, development and description of the IDSM; seven Appendices, including summary tables, representative citations and an index to London Gazette entries between 1923 and 1947; and a comprehensive bibliography and index.

Published in 2001 at £29.95 plus p&p, we are delighted to be able to offer copies at £10 per copy, post free, to customers in the UK. Unfortunately, the book weighs nearly 1.2 kg and so postage costs will increase the price to overseas customers. Nevertheless, it is still excellent value at £10 plus the additional postal charges of £10 to Europe, £20 to Zone 1, £24 to Zone 2 (Australasia & Singapore) and £27 to Zone 3 (USA).



£10.00p

 


BRITISH ARMY HEADDRESS 1939 to 1945 by Jon Mills
(Item no. S028)

This Special Number, published in 2021 with 96 pages, is nearly double the size of regular Special Numbers, which enables an extremely wide range of Army headdress and protective headwear to be covered. As well as breadth of style of headdress, the booklet also covers a wide range of both male and female units. It is extremely well referenced and, although entitled 1939-1945, it contains a wealth of information on the background and development of many types of headdress from the late 1800s to WW2.

There are 31 chapters covering Service Dress Caps, Field Service Caps, Berets (6 chapters), 11th Hussars' Cap, Middle East Special Forces, Tam O'Shanter, Drab Bonnet & Caubeens, Glengarries & Scottish Bonnets, Water & Railways, Pith Helmets, The Cap Comforter, Steel Helmets & Markings, Anti-Gas Curtains, Visors & Veils, Tank Crew Helmets, Motor Cycle Helmets, Airborne Forces Helmets, Cold Climate Headdress, Slouch Hats, Jungle Hats, ATS Headdress, Nurses & FANY, and Dressing Our Allies.

The book is lavishly illustrated with colour photographs of original hats and black & white photographs of the hats being worn by a variety of ranks and regiments.



£12.00p

 


Durbar: Commemorative Edition – November 2018 by IMHS
(Item no. S027)

Volume 35, No. 2 (2018), pp. 53-183. A companion enlarged Commemorative Edition to Vol 31 (3) published in November 2018 and commemorating the centenary of the end of the First World War.

See Shop > Durbars > Durbar Volume 35 No 2 for a list of Contents.



£12.00p

 


Durbar: Commemorative Edition – August 2014 by IMHS
(Item no. S026)

Volume 31, No. 3 (2014), pp. 108-372.

This is an enlarged Commemorative Edition of Durbar published in August 2014 on the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War and commemorating the role of the Indian Army in the first two years of the War.

See Shop > Durbars > Durbar Volume 31 No 3 for a list of Contents.



£12.00p

 


“A MONSTROUS PIECE OF CLOTH” THE BRODRICK CAP by Toby Brayley
(Item no. S025)

Published in November 2020. An absorbing and thoroughly professional account of the design and use of this cap throughout the army. It is superbly and prolifically illustrated and even has detailed photographs of the actual cap worn by the late Canon Lummis, a distinguished Member of the Society, when he was serving as 5428 W M Lummis in the 11th Hussars. This Special Number is surely destined to become the definitive work on the Brodrick Cap and the narrative provides an interesting insight to military service at the start of the twentieth century.



£12.00p

 


British Light Cavalry Uniforms 1840-1853 by David Knight
(Item no. S024)

Special Number, 2019. Beautifully illustrated study of the dress and undress uniforms of the light cavalry from 1840, when a series of uniform changes started to be instigated, to the eve of the Crimean War in 1853. Dress uniforms are examined first, with separate chapters on the Light Dragoons, the Hussars and the Lancers. The undress uniforms are dealt with collectively in a separate chapter, followed by a review of Horse Appointments.



£5.00p

 


British World War 1 Corps and Divisional Signs by (Ed: Gary Gibbs & Clive Elderton
(Item no. S023)

Special Number, 2018. Last in the First World War centenary series. This issue is based on an original 1920 publication by Vincent Wheeler-Holohan which had been annotated with hand-written notes by Bill Carman. The text and illustrations have been updated to produce this fitting conclusion to the WW1 centenary Special Numbers.



£12.00p

 


Infantry Divisions: Identification Schemes 1917 by Mike Hibberd with illustrations from Gary Gibbs
(Item no. S022)

Special Number, 2016. Second of the First World War issues. Lists the 73 Divisions as they existed on 1st July 1917, including their constituent Brigades with component Regiments. The date coincides with the IWMs acquisition of most of its sign collection and the volume contains 10 colour pages from the IWM collection.



£12.00p

 


Machine Gun Corps: First World War Flashes and Badges. by Alan Jeffreys and Gary Gibbs
(Item no. S021)

Special Number, 2015. The first of three Special Numbers to mark the centenary of the First World War. A definitive and prolifically illustrated record of all the MGC cloth and metal badges held in the Imperial War Museum and the Guards Museum, with one or two more. 64pp.

This Special Number is now back in stock, having been virtually unobtainable and reserved for Members only for about two years.



£12.00p

 


Directory of Yeomanry Cavalry 1794-1828 by David J Knight
(Item no. S020)

Special Number, 2013. Records all the Yeomanry Cavalry units, County by County, from the formation of the Force in 1794 to the massive scale down in 1828. 64 pages including 24 full page black & white illustrations.

This Special Number is now OUT OF PRINT. We may occasionally have a second hand copy in stock and we maintain a wants list for members of the Society. Enquire to Sales .



£5.00p

 


English Infantry Militia Buttons 1757-1881 by Howard Ripley & Denis Darmanin
(Item no. S019)

Special Number, 2010. The last in the series of three Special Numbers on military buttons. It follows the same format as earlier volumes with Militia units described County by County. 301 illustrations. There is a further addendum to Rifle Volunteer Buttons 1859-1908 (Special Number, 1996).



£5.00p

 


The Uniforms of the Imperial Yeomanry 1901 – 1908 by D J Knight & R J Smith
(Item no. S018)

Special Number, 2009. A comprehensive account of the parade and service dress uniforms of the Imperial Yeomanry during the seven years of its existence. A major work. 64 pages with a further 24 pages of full-colour illustrations. Perfect bound.





£5.00p

 


The British Infantry Shako 1800 – 1897 by Bryan Fosten & Gary Gibbs.
(Item no. S017)

Special Number, 2008. Eleven chapters trace the various patterns of shako, including plumes and insignia, through different periods of the nineteenth century. There are also two appendices of lace patterns. A definitive work. 72 pages, profusely illustrated.

This Special Number is now OUT OF PRINT. We may occasionally have a second hand copy in stock and we maintain a wants list for Members of the Society. Enquire to Sales . Price on application, whenever available.





£10.00p

 


Rifle Volunteer Buttons 1859 – 1908 (2nd Edition). by Howard Ripley & Denis Darmanin.
(Item no. S016)

Special Number, 2007. An extended version of the 1996 1st edition (S006) with 37 more buttons discovered by Howard Ripley and drawn by Denis Darmanin. The illustrations of Rifle Volunteers in uniform have also been changed for this second edition.

Both editions of this Special Number are now OUT OF PRINT but we may occasionally have a second hand copy of either edition in stock and we maintain a wants list for members of the Society. Enquire to Sales . Price on application, whenever available.





£10.00p

 


Directory of Rifle Volunteers by Ray Westlake
(Item no. S015)

Special Number, 2007. A County by County record of all the Rifle Volunteer Corps which were created with the formation of the Volunteer Force in 1859 until the creation of the Territorial Force in 1908. The RVCs were the Infantry of the Volunteer Movement. 65pp including 16 black & white photographs.





£12.00p

 


The Mess Dress of the Yeomanry Cavalry 1880 – 1914 by David Knight & Robert Smith.
(Item no. S014)

Special Number, 2006. A general introduction on mess dress is followed by a description of the development of mess dress in each individual yeomanry regiment. 60 pages, profusely illustrated with an additional 20 full pages of colour plates.



£5.00p

 


Yeomanry Buttons 1830 – 2000 by Howard Ripley & Denis Darmanin.
(Item no. S013)

Special Number, 2005. Second in a series of Special Numbers on military buttons. Yeomanry described County by County with 354 illustrations. There is also a small addendum to Rifle Volunteer Buttons 1859-1908 (Special Number, 1996).



£5.00p

 


Undress Sabretaches of the British Army by W Y Carman
(Item no. S012)

Special Number, 2005. The last in the series of five Special Numbers on Sabretaches. Published posthumously; Bill Carman had completed the outline of this final volume at the age of 92. The MHS was able to edit all his research notes to publish this illustrated history of the undress sabretache and the ornaments adopted by many of the British Cavalry Regiments during the nineteenth century.

This Special Number is now OUT OF PRINT. We may occasionally have a second hand copy in stock and we maintain a wants list for Members of the Society. Enquire to Sales . Price on application, whenever available.







£12.00p

 


Coloured Field Service Caps - Infantry by D G Glover
(Item no. S011)

Special Number, 2002. Reviews the infantry reorganisations and amalgamations of 1958, 1961 & 1971 with notes on order of precedence. Details the field service caps worn by Infantry Regiments, set out in the order of precedence of 1881-1961, followed by changes due to later reorganisations. A final section covers the Territorial Army.



£5.00p

 


Full Dress Sabretaches of the British Army by W Y Carman
(Item no. S010)

Special Number, 2000. The fourth in the series of five Special Numbers on sabretaches. This volume supplements the full dress sabretaches of the Light Cavalry covered in the Special Number, of 1998. and completes the review of the full dress sabretaches of the British Army.



£5.00p

 


Sabretaches of the Light Cavalry by W Y Carman
(Item no. S009)

Special Number, 1998. The third in the series of five Special Numbers on sabretaches. A profusely illustrated record of the full dress sabretaches of the Light Dragoons, Hussars and Lancers.



£5.00p

 


Cavalry Warrant Officers' and Non-Commissioned Officers' Arm Badges by David Linaker & Gordon Dine
(Item no. S008)

Special Number, 1997. Meticulously researched and profusely illustrated volume. Traces the history of the special distinguishing arm badges from ca1800 to the present day. 156 pages, perfect bound.

This Special Number is now OUT OF PRINT. We may occasionally have a second hand copy of either the first or second edition in stock and we maintain a Wants list for Members of the Society. Enquire to Sales . Price on application, whenever available.







£20.00p

 


The Indian Army Map 1939 – 1947. by Anon
(Item no. S007)

Special Number, 1996. The map shows the Headquarters of the 38 Indian Infantry Regiments and 21 Indian Cavalry Regiments during the period of WW2 to the partition and independence of India in 1947. It also shows full size photographs of the cap badges of those 59 units, together with a further 6 wartime cavalry units and 23 Indian corps. 811 x 613mm. OUT OF PRINT.

This publication has now been superseded by the 2022 Special Number (S030) entitled: RECONSTITUTION – The Formation of the Armies of India and Pakistan – August 1947





£10.00p

 


Rifle Volunteer Buttons 1859 – 1908 by Howard Ripley & Denis Darmanin
(Item no. S006)

Special Number, 1996. A fully illustrated reference guide with 337 button illustrations and a reference table of all Corps with later consolidations and Volunteer battalions. 80 pages. The second edition (S016) contains an additional 37 buttons which were included in the OUT OF PRINT second edition (S016). When stocks of the second edition were exhausted, the remaining copies of the first edition were supplied with a photocopy of the additional 37 buttons.

This Special Number is now OUT OF PRINT. We may occasionally have a second hand copy of either the first or second edition in stock and we maintain a Wants list for Members of the Society. Enquire to Sales . Price on application, whenever available.







£5.00p

 


Officers’ Waist Belt Clasps 1855-1902 by Lelia B Ryan
(Item no. S005)

Special Number, 1994. Comprehensive work on the Waist Belt Clasps of the Officers’ of the Line Infantry. 55 pages with 241 illustrations.

This Special Number is now OUT OF PRINT. We may occasionally have a second hand copy of either the first or second edition in stock and we maintain a Wants list for Members of the Society. Enquire to Sales . Price on application, whenever available.







£12.00p

 


The Volunteer Infantry 1880-1908 by Ray Westlake
(Item no. S004)

Special Number, 1992. A monumental work which sets out the order of battle for the Volunteer Infantry, County to County from Regiment to Battalions and Companies with many illustrations of uniforms and badges. 139 pages. Perfect bound.

This Special Number is now OUT OF PRINT. We may occasionally have a second hand copy of either the first or second edition in stock and we maintain a Wants list for Members of the Society. Enquire to Sales . Price on application, whenever available.







£5.00p

 


Yeomanry and Other Sabretaches by W Y Carman
(Item no. S003)

Special Number, 1988. The second in the series of five Special Numbers on sabretaches. This volume supplements and fills in major gaps in the English Yeomanry units covered in the first volume (1987) and also covers the Scottish Yeomanry, together with the little amount of information known about the Welsh Yeomanry.

Although this Special Number is OUT OF PRINT, we have a few second hand copies in stock. Enquire to Sales .







£5.00p

 


Some English Yeomanry Sabretaches by W Y Carman
(Item no. S002)

Special Number, 1987. The first in a series of five Special Numbers covering the sabretaches worn by British cavalry in the early years of the nineteenth century. This first volume covers the Yeomanry units of a wide range of selected English Counties.



£5.00p

 


Colours of the Regular Army Infantry of the Line 1st July 1881 to 1958 by Eric Hamilton
(Item no. S001)

Special Issue Number, 1, 1968. A record of the Colours of the regular battalions of the Infantry Regiments from the major reorganisation of 1st July 1881 (Cardwell system) until 1958. Includes the post-1958 list of amalgamated Regiments, with the presentation dates of new Colours.

This Special Number is now also OUT OF PRINT. We may occasionally have a second hand copy of either the first or second edition in stock and we maintain a wants list for Members of the Society. Enquire to Sales . price on application, whenever available.





£3.00p

 


Easibinders for The Bulletin & Special Issues
(Item no. P05)

These are conventional journal binders with detachable wires which hold Bulletins or Special Numbers in place across the centre fold of each issue. Each binder has 20 wires which would theoretically hold five years' issues of The Bulletin. In practice, it would be better to expect the binder to comfortably cater for four years. The Binders are pre-packaged in single cardboard outers, ready for posting. They will therefore be sent separately from any other items in a combined order. Postal charges will be £2 for one binder or £4 for two to five binders (UK rate). Europe and RoW (surface) will be £5 (1 binder) and £10 (2 to 5); RoW (airmail) will be £8 (1 binder) and £16 (2 to 5).

£7.50p

 


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