I was sweeping out my basement a little better than last year when I noticed that the odd step-like foundation in the corner was actually white marble with a round end. I flipped it over to find a pristine inscription of a private in that fought for the US 110th Infantry 28th Division that died on July 29th, 1918 - a genuine WWI tombstone.
Online I found out that he was also one of the 13 Rainy Day Boys (named for a local holiday here in Waynesburg, Pa). His death was also describe in an online book about the group of 15,000 men, of which a little more than 800 survived. His body was MIA and his family even mourned his death at a burial of an unknown soldier in Washington D.C.. His grave was finally found in France and his body was returned and buried in Waynesburg, Pa.
A previous owner of the house was the private's sister. She died while living there and I suspect that it was overlooked as I have done for 3 the last years. It is unknown to me why they did not use the government tombstone, elected to use their own, and why someone would want to hang onto that kind of token for their brother.
Currently I am trying to find the value of such a strange find. However, I will likely just return it to the family even though a bit of cash would be nice. Anyone have any ideas?
Hey,
This just came in the post today.
I got it all for £30.
The liner had a crack (witch it did not have when i paied the guy, he packed all the straps and bags inside the helmet, and the straps puched up and destroyed it. Its sad)
I'm thinking the liner is ww2, and not really sure about the shell? And the rest of it i am almost 100% that it is US from the Vietnam era, its all stamped US and have a date between 1959 and 1965.
Even tough the liner has snapped (i'm still crying :P) i think its pretty good for £30.
You can see the pictures! Enjoy!
/Mick
Hi All
I see from northern arms fairs web site there is a fair on on sunday in the village hotel near liverpool.
has anyone been and whats the turn out like?
i would like to go but its a long way if its a lame duck.
Andy
Wanna show you this very nice "Patrouillen-Dolch", ("Patrol-dagger").
The maker´s-mark is etched on the blade and I like this "staghorn-version" ! cool militaria
This "Graben-Dolch" isn´t "heavy used", only the blade´s a little bent ...
But, it doesn´t matter ...
Cheer´s,
R.
DATED 1917 WITH LEATHER SHEATH DATED 1910...******ALL OVERSEAS BUYERS MUST PURCHASE REGISTERED MAIL SERVICE AT $11.80 FEE,PLUS SIGNED RETURN RECEIPT FOR AN ADDITIONAL $2.80 SENT QUICKEST AIR MAIL SERVICE BY US POST OFFICE ******This Is Non-Negotiable******,,PAY PAL,PERSONAL CHECKS MUST CLEAR MY BANK BEFORE ITEM IS SENT AND US POSTAL MONEY ORDERS ACCEPTED,,,ITEMS RETURNED IN SAME CONDITION AS SENT WILL BE REFUNDED OR PURCHASER MAY USE AS CREDIT TOWARD OTHER ITEMS IF DESIRED,, POSTAGE COSTS /CUSTOMS TAXES ARE NOT REFUNDABLE,,,ITEMS RETURNED IN ALTERED OR DAMAGED CONDITION WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR REFUND OR CREDIT,,,BUYER HAS 3 DAY INSPECTION PERIOD STARTING WITH RECEIPT OF ITEM,,,ITEMS RETURNED MUST BE WITHIN 5 DAYS AFTER EXPIRATION PERIOD HAS EXPIRED,AND BY SAME METHOD OF INITIAL MAILING,,,FAILURE TO DO SO WILL NEGATE RETURN PRIVILEGES AND SALE WILL BE FINAL,,,THANK YOU FOR LOOKING
No pictures do to a security token :(, Anyways I have a M40 with greenish black paint with a gold heer eagle could anyone tell me what service branch that is any helped is needed
I was at a show a few years back and saw a gentllemen walking this sword through the show.I had a good ideal that it was a good sword because he had three or four dealers in tow.The dealers were all talking the sword down. The very tip is broke, the blade has finger prints,the paint is worn on the scabbard, will you trade for something on my table the same old lines when you have something they want. After the dealers left I asked him if he was selling the sword and he stated yes but he wanted to find out what it was worth.I told him I would like a chance to buy it and gave him my #( so did the dealers). A month later he called me gave me a price and I bought it. When I went to pick it up he told me that he had offered it to the dealers first but they were only offering half of what it is worth. Gary
Hi Guys, here is a helmet from my collection.
This is a second pattern Airborne issue steel helmet. (The first pattern is extremely rare and few are seen in collections today. See photos of the Bruneval Raid for an example) These were worn by both Paratroopers and Glider borne troops & Glider Pilots. Like many early items of British Airborne kit, the influence of the German issue Fallschirmjager helmet can be seen. This pattern of helmet can be seen in many photos of the British 1st Airborne Division fighting at Arnhem.
This helmet was made in 1942 by "BMB" (Briggs Motor Bodies Ltd) As you can see it is a small size, and six and a half.
The chinstraps are made from good quality thick black leather and are the type with stitched, as opposed to rivetted construction, and have a formed chin cup lined with chamois leather.
The heavy liner padding is made from yellow sorbo rubber. Over the years this will deteriorate and begin to crumble. The crown is fitted with a black rubber pad.
Note the original paint to the interior and the rather grey/green matt colour used. The exterior paint has worn off to a great degree.
This style of helmet shell was also used on the early issue AFV helmet and the dispatch riders crash helmet. Note how the rim flares outwards to support the fibre band which is fitted to the exterior of the helmet.
In recent years the price of these has risen sharply and these are now very sought after. Beware of conversions from other helmets and reproductions made for re-enactors. Beware in particular of helmets were were exported to Australia post war for use as tankers helmets. These had the chinstraps removed and a new hole drilled at the rear for a single point fixing. Play close attention in this area for any third hole which may or may not be filled to disguise it origins. While still original, an ex Aussie lid will not have the same value.
I bought my example many years ago from a Veteran who served post war. These helmets were used for many years after the war untill no longer serviceable.
Cheers, Ade.
Any ideas on this helmet shell guys?
Thanks
Danny
