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Established militaria collectors know how frustrating it can be trawling through auctions and websites to find the odd prized addition to their collections. Sometimes this can take years before an item of interest becomes available. A  big issue for collectors is keeping your area of interest in control - and how to set limits on what you want to collect.

Usually there is a powerful emotional connection with the items they collect - which could be related to the the family, a historical period, specific wars or military campaigns, a regimental association or sharing their interests with other like-minded people.

Worn circa 1812-1815 it is in gilt with slightly rounded corners.  A Georgian Crown over a garter with Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense to the centre, George the 3^rd cypher and 111 in roman numerals. A single hook and two buttons for attachment to the belt. They were renamed The Grenadier Guards in 1815 in commemoration of their defeat of the French Imperial Guards at Waterloo.

The position of 'Queen Victoria’s Personal Piper' was established in 1843 when Queen Victoria and Prince Albert visited the Marquess of Breadalbane at Taymouth Castle a year earlier and discovered the Marquess had his own personal piper. The Queen was taken with the idea of having one for herself, writing to her mother, the Dowager Duchess of Kent:

There are several rules and regulations related to the sale of knives, firearms and other weapons (Applicable Laws) which may apply to certain types of militaria, such as pistols and cutlasses. The Applicable Laws are numerous, complex and inconsistent. However, broadly speaking the sale of a large number of types of knives is prohibited. Buyers and sellers of firearms must be registered, have certain licences/registrations in place and/or notify the relevant authorities upon the purchase of a firearm.