Yard Sales, Flea Markets and Antique Shops 2024

[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.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[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.

[browningautorifle]

I used to carry a US issue knife in mess kit, don't know where it got to. Used to see them around but no more. I wonder if the silver plated one was swiped from an officers mess? The cap has design like the helmet hats.

[Aragorn243]

I wonder if the silver plated one was swiped from an officers mess? The cap has design like the helmet hats.

Actually, the silver plate was the official production during the war. I guess tin was more important to the war effort than silver. I didn't know that until today to be honest. It's in the official nomenclature. Prior to the change they were tinned. We made nickels out of silver during the war also, at least for one year. And they made pennies out of steel for a year. I also got a book called Hitler's Armed Forces Auxiliaries, An Illustrated History of the Wehrmachtsgefolge 1933-1945 by Lepage. I haven't been able to really look at it but it looks nice from what I can see. It covers the driver's corps, the construction corps, the people's militia and the labor service, not high priority assets for most books on the German military.

I got a grouping of Ballantine books for less than $1 each and a Chassepot bayonet for $81 complete with serial matched scabbard. I'll post that in the blade thread. It was 35% off. I didn't really need it but I couldn't pass it up for that price. On the positive side, it is a different manufacturer than the one I already have.

[42rocker]

Update on the Silver War nickels. There were made from 1942 to 1945. Best way to tell them in on the reverse as there is a Large P, D, or S above the dome. Also, in used ones the nickel looks darker. About 40% silver also.

Interest fact if you find a 1943 without the mint mark on the back, it's counterfeit. Not made with part silver either. A Very Good counterfeit by the way. Very interesting story.

Later 42rocker

[Salt Flat]

HOH, That looks great! Good work--

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Turned nothing into something. The handle taper/flare at the pommel is off and the handguard at the blade has a gap though not loose. The engraver matched the font and placement very well on the new handguard though slightly shallow. Very rewarding project which I hope to repeat if I can find another donor. Ka-bar is to be congratulated for providing the rehab kits at such a reasonable price.

[Aragorn243]

It looks really good. How exactly did you polish and cut the leather?