What's your newest militaria III

I didn't realize Garand bayonets were so pricey. I have two WWII, and one Korean era...I've got less than $150 bucks wrapped up in them. Only one is 16" though. Another great yardsale find.

 

Chess game sent by the German people to the front... ( as if they did not have other things to do there?... ) and unit doctor´s order for a free evening to have a beer or two or three... Doctors can do that?

 

I hate you

 

I will be given a nice collection in the days to come, there is a 16 inch WWI production bayonnet!

 

Well I got a pile of stuff yesterday! I will post some pics in the days to come, let's start with some M1 helmets:

The first is a swivel bails Mc Cord with a Seaman Paper Company liner.










The second one is a Mc Cord with a Westinghouse Electricity Company liner.
I'm not sure about the painting, someone might have had a creative moment...after the war.....anyhow the helmet is legit, the liner seems to have replacement parts but they also look legit to me!

 

Excellent condition. The liner is legit but some parts of it seem to have been restaured with newer parts , but they are nicely replaced and rivetted with the originals triangles , so except some sligt color difference around the outerband and the neckband it is almost not notable. I would have bought it too.

 

I wouldn't discount the paint as a moment of whimsy. There are more than a few photos of occupation forces with highly decorated helmets. I think this trend continued through the mid 1950's.

 

I agree, divisional insignia on helmets was very common, even during WWII but it's hard to tell when it was done.

 

Well I broke the piggy box and got a framed origonal copy of the Gemboux medal and diploma. It is numbered and wa ssigned by three of the main officers who were there. It is awarded to a Tank Commander from a French unit that destroyed several German Panzers.

 

That's quite an interesting find Skipper, i have to read up about the actions at Gembloux, the "Frankreichfeldzug" is not my forte!

 

Another US Army lensatic compass, it is not dated. Apparently the undated ones were of early war production. The pocket is from the 1950's though.








M2 Field Artillery Compass. I couldn't find out what year it was made but I'm pretty sure it was during WWII. Kalart was a company that produced high end photocameras, mostly for photojournalists. Post-war production of compasses by a firm specialized in another field would not make much sense. The W.B. mark to the right of the #13158 serial number might be the Inspectors initials. I've found pictures of another Kalart with G.H.D marks at the same place. The case is the M19 leather case, unmarked and lined with purple felt, correct for early war production. I will have to reglue a part of the felt liner though. The compass itself is in a fair shape, with the exception of the mirror which has been replaced with a selfmade, "home cut" one, without the peephole.






M1943 Entrenching tool cover, dated 1945 and stamped on the inside as well as the outside.

 

I was thinking more about the Master Sergeant Rank insignia on the front of the helmet.

Searched through a few pages on the 26th Division looking for the significance of what appears to be either a "Bota bag" or "powder horn" for any regiments in the division which might use that symbol.

Anyway, here is a link to a group that might be able to shed some light as ti it's authenticity, they are a re-enactment group for the 29th Division: index .

I also wouldn't discount the fact that the helmet might have been decorated as a gift for someone who was retiring.

 

The divisional insignia were also quite common, at least for some divisions. Over here we have loads of helmets with the keystone of the 28th Infantry division.

 

Right, and if this was period correct (WW2) I would not expect to see the multi colored secondary insignia; I would expect someting more simple and less shiny.

 

Excellent medal Skipper! Congrats!

My newest:

Two unsigned wartime Gordon Gollob photos

Erwin Fischer, Holder of the 191. Oakleaves, postwar autograph

Lexikon der Wehrmacht

Alfred Eick, U-510 commander, postwar autograph

Kapitnleutnant Alfred Eick - German U-boat Commanders of WWII - The Men of the Kriegsmarine - uboat.net

 

Nice helmet! I have one from the 101th Airborne, 327 Glider Regiment with a Lieutenant bar.

 

Gembloux is in Belgium. It was a French tank victory , but the French lost their advantage by not following the retreating Germans and when they finally reacted, the Germans could launch a counter offensive days later and take back the lost field that lead to the Anglo-French withdrawal to Dunkirk. Therefore it is not unusual to find veterans who have both the Dunkirk and the Gembloux medals. The Gembloux one is far less common though. With a diploma they will sell for 200 euros.

Nice compass by the way.

 

An US-Army holster for the service revolver. It was made by the Milwaukee Saddlery Company and is dated 1944.There are some nice inscriptions by the former owner!




The big inscription on the Backside reads:
Flynn G.H.
U.S.C.G.R
504-366
6151-519

The small inscription reads:
Constitution & an illisiblle word, it could be Ave. it could as well be Base
Boston, Mass.




The inside of the flap.




The inside of the holster, the inscription reads:
FLYNN, G.H.
USCGR 504-366
6151519-1943-1945

 

USCGR = US Coast Guard Reserve
USS Constitution?
Navy Base, Boston Mass.


All of these could be plausible.
A holster for a .455 Webley chambered pistol would not be uncommon for a Coast Guardsman during WW2 who was stationed at the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston Mass. assigned to the USS Constitution.

Very cool find. The only question I have is: "What on earth is it doing in Belgium?"

 

An early war M1910 Garand ammo belt, the hardware is made out of steel instead of brass, typical for early war production



A 16 inch M1905 bayonet, it's a 1912, pre-WWI production by Springfield Armory.







Another M1905, this one was produced by Rock Island Armory in 1911. In WWII it was refurbished by Union Fork and Hoe, fitted with new grips and the blade was cut down to M1 standard length of 10 inch.







An 10 inch M1 bayonet made during WWII by Union Fork and Hoe