Thanks Easy,
Yes I had read that about swords too. Just found a good page on the Regulating Branch at
http://www.rba93.com/history.htm. It says:-
"In 1879, to indicate his special position, the M.A.A. was permitted to wear a frock coat and carry a sword. To be distinguishable from the officers' dress, the coat was to have 4 buttons instead of 5 and the sword was to be plain with a black hilt."
The sword and buttons fit in with the photo but not sure about the sword.
I had assumed the lapel badge was just a standard RN badge but the Master At Arms did seem to have a crown in a wreath badge as displayed here:-
http://www.kellybadge.co.uk/images/M2O503.jpg. Not sure if my photo shows this; it is difinitely a wreath but what is in it is dufficult to make out.
Unfortunately I haven't been able to get my hands on the original of the picture to try re-scanning it. Best I could do was to try enhancing the contrast, etc. to get a better view of the medals.
He seems to have 4 round ones and a star. I guess the star is the WW1 1914-15 Royal Navy Star and two of the round ones must be the WW1 Victory Medal and British War Medal medals? Could one of the others be a Royal Navy Long Service & Good Conduct Medal?
Thanks,
hogHedge