Yard Sales, Flea Markets and Antique Shops 2024

[browningautorifle]

Hard to believe they were using this till the end of the war

Yep, pretty small. Might be OK against installations.

[Low & Slow]

The Japanese infantry certainly fell afoul of the US 37mm loaded with canister shot at Alligator creek on Guadalcanal.

[Aragorn243]

All antique flea markets today. The small flag I can't find anything on. Was listed as a WWII platoon flag which sort of makes sense. The canteen is Dutch Cold War. Bought it more as a curiosity than anything else. Rubberized canvas c.over by the look of it. The foot lockers came as a pair deal for $100 which seems very reasonable considering they are officers footlockers with locks and their keys along with the usually missing trays. Multiple layers of paint, possible unit logo on one. Inventory paperwork glued on the one. The dealer purchased them directly from the man's daughter who said he served in Europe in logistics. The dealer was from Virginia so pretty sure I found the guys grave at least, bronze star recipient. Very little other information on the net. He did have two daughters, is buried in Leesburg VA, died in 2007

[Low & Slow]

The leather straps even appear intact.

[Aragorn243]

One is broken at the one end but is all there. I've been careful not to pick them up by the straps. I don't think they are very strong. The one was made in 1940, the other in 1930. The 1930 has the broken strap.

[Flying10uk]

It looks like you have a partial L.M.S. (London Midland Scottish) Railway luggage label, from the UK, stuck to the end of your trunk. This label would be pre 1948 and "nationalisation" when LMS became part of British Railways.

[mmppres]

Steve you must have a very big house to store all this stuff in. I already know that you have a wonderful understanding wife.

[Sapper740]

Yes, that's definitely a British No. 1 Mk V Signal Pistol that fired the 1.0 calibre Very cartridge. The 1.0 calibre Signal pistols were most commonly issued to ground troops while the Signal pistols that fired the 1.5 calibre Very cartridge were mainly reserved for air bases and aircrew. Most every control tower had a 1.5 calibre firing Signal pistol on hand.

[Aragorn243]

Technically, the footlockers aren't taking up any new space. I filled them with smaller items. Most things are in the kid's bedrooms, one of which is still usable with 10 minutes of moving things around. The other is just a walkway. I have a den also but most things in there are on the ceiling. The plan is to finish the attic and move all the military stuff up there. I don't keep it there now due to the heat. Other than three wall hanger rifles and a couple of small odds and ends, I have none of this downstairs outside of my small office. My wife's collections rule down here.

[Aragorn243]

Today's pick up includes a 1907 US Cold Weather cap. These were in use from 1907 till near WWII. The design also was used for the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) caps between the wars but these were in a dark green. This is an early model with the tie straps.

What makes this a little more interesting than usual is these were issued to the Polar Bear Expedition into North Russia at the end of WWI. The only US invasion of Russia and one they haven't forgotten.













Next is an early WWII mess kit by Vollrath Co, dated 1942. This is kind of interesting in that it has a stainless base and galvanized upper. Inside is the complete utensil set, another early piece, the 1941 L. F. & C. Bakelite handle knife, first year of production. The spoon and fork are undated, the spoon is a silver plated SILCO, first silver plate I've come across.