Part 2 of the 3-legged crow story has been added to the medals story http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/japane…9/#post1773866

I got into a brief discussion at a Fair the other day which has really made me think…I was asked why I no longer collect TR lids and why the interest in them outweighs all other helmets / nations put together. I could answer the first one easily – I simply got to a point when I couldn’t be 100% sure that what I was about to commit a frighteningly high amount of money to was what I was being told it actually was….so I dropped out of the race and moved to other types. But that didn’t answer the second bit about why TR helmets, indeed TR EVERYTHING, is always the Quarterback, the Prom Queen, the Centre Forward, the singer, the Nike, the Apple etc etc of the militaria world. I mean just look at any forum…..you could have just taken ownership of the helmet (netted of course…and possibly even badged) worn by the lead Commando at the St Nazaire raid only to be swamped with posts to someone who’s mate claims to have a biro which might’ve been used by a friend of an SS man AFTER the war.

Since I couldn’t answer that question intelligently and without using broad brush sweeping generalities I side-stepped it but it’s been on my mind since and, having chatted it over, I’ve come up with a number of possibilities….

1) They were the losers and “everyone loves the underdog” – ‘might be a bit harsh but factually correct. But if this is the case why don’t Forums ring to the tunes of collectors specialising in helmets from all the other defeated countries through history….Iraq? Grenada? Iran? Argentina? US (Vietnam)? France (at the start at least)? Czech? etc etc

2) “They were elite” – this one kinda insults every specialist from the French Resistance, the SOE, Green Berets, SAS, GSG etc so perhaps it means the elite from the OTHER* side….but that means collectors of Republican Guard stuff, Fedayeen stuff, Argentine Commando stuff, US Delta, Grenadian-based Cuban stuff, Brit Para, Spetnaz stuff etc etc would fill every forum….they don’t. (*”other” is gonna potentially cause issues…but you know what I mean….)

3) That “it’s better quality stuff” – now this one’s pretty much irrefutable….one only has put an Adrian, MkII, Ssh39 (or 40!) or “Doughboy” next to an early war double-decaled M35 to see this is pretty true and even when the allies made improvements they still didn’t come close to the quality of the build. One has to ask why the Adrian helmet, with it’s unique vented crown and interior leather, doesn’t seem to have quite the same fan-base but hey….Admittedly the German quality was sacrificed it as supplies/resources thinned out but……

4) The ideology…..’not gonna go there except to say this IS a reason some “people” collect.

5) “They’re a better investment”…….oh, that old one…….

6) “They’re cool” – now this one crops up time and time again. A definition states that cool means “very fashionable, stylish, or appealing in a way that is generally approved of especially by young people”. ‘not sure about the “young people” bit, especially where most folk here opt to display their ages under their Avatar (sorry boys!)….so I THINK this means the attraction is that at a time when other countries helmets were one-colour pudding-bowl wannabees with webbing and faux leather (this excludes “Adrian”) inners, a uniquely shaped, highly engineered BADGED helmet stuck out like a Lambo at a Nash Metropolitan Convention. Indeed, was it the badging that did it??…are collectors simply hypnotised by the presence of a stick-on badge? (from the number of books produced on this particular topic there MUST be some attraction there)…oh and we have badges too!!!!

7) …or finally……”you’re in the wrong Forum!”…….mmmm…now THAT one hurt!

So I can conclude that I DON’T KNOW…..I wanna go with a combination of 3) [quality] and 6) [cool]…….but could be wrong……

…..’any thoughts?

Perhaps I should’ve posted this in a different category/group……..??

luftwaffe hauptmann’s leather flight jacket.i think this is a private purchase jacket.i have had this for some time now..metal zipper to the front marked zipp" zippers to pockets marked "ries".do you think this is a good one i had someone in a shop look at it and he thinks it is good.but what do you all think.thanks.. i have put lots of photos up…

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Hi all. Acquired this recently from a friend and thought I would show it as there don’t appear to be many props shown on the forum. He purchased it from the farm where it was dug up as a German propeller as it was found in the same hole as a DO17. Upon further inspection however it has the number 89301-6 which is the number of the prop used on Allison engine Mustangs. How it ended up in the same hole as the Dornier is a mystery. Best guess it that the chaps who came to cart wreckage away already had this prop blade on board from another crash and dumped it in the hole. Either way a very cool and evocative piece that I am proud to own.

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With a fried PC being repaired I’ve been forced to watch some TV. Ran across a great documentary called "USS Indianapolis Live - From the deep"

As you know, the ship was recently discovered. Overall a great 1 hour documentary. It was on PBS (boy I hated PBS as a kid). I’m sure if you search you can find out when it is being re-run

The ship is in 18,000 feet of crystal clear water and the condition of the ship (while broken in pieces) is pristine due to the lack of oxygen and depth. So clear you could even read close up warning labels on the float plane and the painted victory tallies painted on the ship of sunk Japanese ships and planes. Most of the 1 hour is ROV footage which some nice side pieces on the history and vet interviews.

Hi All.

I shot photos only of the lid of this stein since my question relates to the content of the engraving on the lid. I’m hoping someone can help me to:

1. Fully decipher the engraving since I’m finiding it somewhat challenging to recognize some of the letters. My rough translation leads me to believe this was a wedding gift.
2. If you have access to SA records and have data on this member I’d like to know more about him. His name is in the engraving as well as the numbers 46/12.

As a side question, if you are familiar with steins, I also included a shot (the last one in the sequence) of what appears to be the number "1" followed by a small upper case "T" stamped into the side of the rim near the handle. This was done before the stein was fired. I’m hoping to understand what (if anything) that stamp may signify.

Thanks!
Dzyner

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Hey chaps

Got recently my hands on a GM38 and had a couple of doubts after one of my fellow colleagues implied that a part of it may be "retouched" namely the canister of this gas mask.

I will attach some general parts, mask itself are close to MINT condition but the doubt arises when it comes to the canister itself.

The connaisseurs are more than welcome to express their opinions on the paint and overall state. It has been found in an old warehouse. My colleague says it got repainted but I got my doubts judging on small details that I will post in a different link so all may be able to analyse the rust, imperfections and marks that could indicate a "refurbished" element. The layer of paint is close to identical to another canister I have, one not so well preserved over the years, in terms of thickness.

Let the debate begin

Small details can be found here :

https://postimg.org/gallery/14pv3avra/

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Only photos I have so far. Does anyone know of a safe way to clean the collar disc?

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I don’t think I have posted about this item here before, and if I have forgive me. Some time ago I got my hands on a Showa era, non shin-gunto tsuka, but I hesitate to call it civilian, because the main motif is one I have seen on official and semi official items. I have posted it elsewhere,and not received any useful information one way or another, and so here it is. The Fuchi/kashira are stamped brass, the menuki I think were old when they went on the piece. Any ideas, hints or solid information welcome.

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