bellows fog horn, royal coat of arms

An antique British naval fog horn with painted coat of arms, an excellent example of a portable fog horn of the type that was extensively used by the British Royal Navy from the early part of the Nineteenth Century right through to (almost unbelievably!) the latter part of World War 2.  This particular example is of oak, brass and leather and believed to be by the well-known the Birmingham maker, Alldays and Onions, though without the usual makers mark stamped into the brasswork.  The woodwork bears a painted British Royal coat of arms with the words 'Honi soit qui mal y pense' ('Shame be to him who thinks evil of it') and "Dieu et mon droit" ('God and my right'), the motto of the British Monarchy.  34" (87cm) overall. SOLD - but please visit my online shop for similar items.