All Activity - U.S. Militaria Forum (2024)

West Coast Historical Militaria Collectors Show POMONA, CA. June 21-22, 2024

themick replied to TSC's topic in EVENTS CALENDAR

Great photos, and thanks for posting them. I might set up there next year to thin out my Marine Corps items. Question about the firearm there: Are they real? I didn't think firearms were permitted there. Thanks, Steve

79th and 104th Infantry Division Patches WW2?

UlyssesMcGill replied to Bosley's topic in ARMY AND USAAF

Yup, these look good! That 104th patch has a really nice “salty” look.

Any way to replace male hardware on M1936 belt?

Browninggunner688 replied to Boone68's topic in

I have repaired several pistol belts like this one, I just carefully forced the sliders over the central hook and replaced the fastener then carefully and forcedly pushed the sliders back. I have used a large flat bladed screwdriver too to very slightly bend the sliders from the inside/ back of the belt while pushing them over the hook. Both ways work with no damage to either the belt or the sliders. Hope this helps. Good luck. Nick.

William Wyler Ribbons

decwriter replied to 29navy's topic in ATTRIBUTED MEDAL GROUPINGS

His actual LOM citation would be in his service file. I’ve noticed most LOMs are awarded with the standard statement after the section it is listed in (in this case Section IV_ _ LEGION OF MERIT) for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of…but the citation gets into the details which justified the award.

How Do You Recognize a Reproduction Mk II Grenade Fuze?

Stressman replied to Stressman's topic in ORDNANCE

To 917601: I am not successful at finding the earlier posts that you mentioned. What search words should I be using to locate these posts?

Prototype Liberty Bell Helmet

Red Devil replied to Red Devil's topic in

I appreciate the positive comments! I greatly appreciate Paul sharing his fantastic example and Ian's information--I continue to learn a lot and this valuable collaboration benefits our collecting community as a whole. TYPE90XJL - any backstory on where you sourced yours? This one came out of an estate in Massachusetts with an unnamed officer's uniform, a prewar French officer's belt, and a pair of German shoulder boards. Thanks again everyone!

William Wyler Ribbons

29navy replied to 29navy's topic in ATTRIBUTED MEDAL GROUPINGS

Interesting. The LOM is kind of a big deal. Wonder why his is not listed anywhere in any write up of his military awards. This has been interesting. From the Los Angeles Evening Citizen News Mon, Jul 22, 1946 ·Page 6

West Coast Historical Militaria Collectors Show POMONA, CA. June 21-22, 2024

Longhorn92 replied to TSC's topic in EVENTS CALENDAR

What G1 did I just buy?

phantomfixer replied to BigBrother's topic in FLIGHT CLOTHING

looks like a mid to late 1970s commercial model....whatever is under the blackout tag would help still a nice jacket...as it was most likely made by a company that made them for the USN..

West Coast Historical Militaria Collectors Show POMONA, CA. June 21-22, 2024

warguy replied to TSC's topic in EVENTS CALENDAR

Thanks Tony for a great show! Here is what followed me home. The patches are both British made, the flying helmet is a 1930’s Navy USN stamped khaki corduroy model with a chamois lining, a Polaris flight school bracelet (they trained a lot of bomber pilots in WWII) and a mint 5th AAC pennant. Had a great time, saw a lot of friends.

How Do You Recognize a Reproduction Mk II Grenade Fuze?

917601 replied to Stressman's topic in ORDNANCE

Also, look for sealant color. Greenish, an M10 series ( correct) or Red for a detonator fuze used in very late TNT filled grenades. …search the forum, I posted much with pics years ago.

ID Help with Tank Round Penetrator (120MM M865)

917601 replied to crayj's topic in ORDNANCE

Nice, getting hard to find. Notice the fins- not a common “ cone fin” used to reduce range. You can search the TM for more information, yours I believe is made of “ Staballoy” , a DU substitute.

Greetings from the Northeast

capandball49 posted a topic in NEW MEMBER INTRODUCTIONS

Howdy and thanks to the staff for accepting my application. I'm from Pa and I volunteer at museums and I've been an avid collector of WW1-Korea nautical equipment, aircraft instruments, navigational gadgets and more for the better part of 3 years. I mainly collect aircraft gun sights and Bendix/Bausch & Lomb equipment in particular. My other hobbies are hiking, mineral prospecting, antiquing and chemistry. Pleasure to meet everyone here, and I look forward to being a member of this forum. I've catalogued some of my items in a separate post so I don't flood this thread, but here's some of them. Items span from 1914-1952. Enjoy

WWII Dated 3" M62 APC Round

917601 replied to Dirt Detective's topic in ORDNANCE

Firstly, do NOT “ restore” it. Coat with Renaissance museum wax. Filling, painting, stenciling reduces value. Your sample is from the later Sherman 3” ( 76mm) cannon OR the much rarer Army 3” ( marked “ 3G”) anti tank cannon. As it is dated 1943, most likely an Army 3”. Finding an Army 3” case ( most were laquered steel) is the challenging part. Few examples left as they rusted out. Finding an Army 3” case could increase the value substantially. $250 plus? Steel Army 3” cases can bring $150 plus. A few examples in my picture. One last note: the Army 3” is commonly confused with the Navy 3”/50 round.

M7 bayonet Imperial + M8A1 TWB

sactroop replied to Stout's topic in EDGED WEAPONS

I remember that the 90 degree bevel would be late but possible for being in Vietnam. Although I wonder if any actually would have been shipped there. 1976 would definitely be too late.

20th Armored Division tactical marked helmet

Indian Head replied to GeneralCheese's topic in

Really unique set, thanks for sharing!

Yard Sale Finds

Rakkasan187 replied to MinorInHistory's topic in LATEST FINDS

Some great finds.. I may have found the Sailor whose uniform you picked up. William Walter Fouse: Born February 22, 1928: Died October 18., 1959. He died at a very young age of meningitis. Unfortunately, his obituary does not show any time in the Service but based on his engineering degree and credentials from College, I am very sure this is your man. Fouse served in the US Navy from 1946-1948. (His grandmothers obituary of July 1946 shows that he was in Navy Basic Training at the time of her death). The one mystery is the Honorable Discharge emblem (AKA Ruptured Duck on this uniform). The criteria for this would have been honorable service from 1939 to December 1946, so in theory since Fouse joined the Navy in 1946 (Before December) and he was discharged in 1948 it may have been retroactively awarded to him. His Navy Service Number was 555-08-59 He served on the USS Buck (DD 761) as a ETM 3rd class. (Below is the information about the rate change from Radio Technician to ETM) I checked all the Navy Muster Rolls and Fouse served his entire time on the USS Buck (Other than when he was in basic training) and I could not find any of those muster rolls or his actual date of enlistment, but it had to have been before July 1946 when his grandmother passed. The Electronics Technician (abbreviated as ET) rating was originally established as Radio Technician (abbreviated as RT) in April 1942 during the height of World War II. The story of their training may be found at "Solving the Naval Radar Crisis" by Raymond C Watson, Jr. Trafford Publishing 2007 ISBN 978-1-4251-6884-1. The rating insignia adopted was that of the established Radioman (abbreviated as RM) rating, and remained until October 1945, when the rating name was changed to Electronic Technician's Mate (abbreviated as ETM). In 1948, the Navy changed the name of the rating to Electronics Technician, and a new rating insignia was created. After his service he went to Montana State College and graduated in 1952. Here are some supporting documents I found for William Walter Fouse: Hope this helps.. Leigh

Looking for feed back on M1 with majors rank

The Rooster replied to 66cuda's topic in

You're most welcome Sir

U.S. Army Pacific Impression. Tips?

The Rooster replied to Boone68's topic in REENACTING

Ive been suggesting the same thing to others. They all have the just stepped out of the barracks look. Just stepped off the boat. Im not sure if some re enactors realize how filthy one gets even after just a few days in the field. Go camping for five days in the woods. Same thing happens. Skin is too clean uniform is too clean. IMHO...... A person gets natsy dirty. Especially patrolling in the heat and in the defense digging foxholes. All of them strike me as entirely too clean. But.... since they prob spent some coin on their costumes, I could see them not wanting to soil them. Realistically speaking though... a soldier gets dirty real quick in the field. If you are looking for realisim. Get filthy. Dont shower for two weeks etc etc lol lol lol I guess it depends on the look you are going for?

U.S. Army Pacific Impression. Tips?

sundance replied to Boone68's topic in REENACTING

I'm no expert but it looks good to me. If you watch documentaries, you should roll around in mud, rip it and make it looks like you sweated in it for a couple of years. My father was in the Pacific and said there were times when he never thought he'd be dry again, not to mention healthy. He suffered from malaria (I think) related issues until he passed away,

79th and 104th Infantry Division Patches WW2?

KurtA replied to Bosley's topic in ARMY AND USAAF

WW2 era patches will tend to look like those you posted.

What is this wing?

rathbonemuseum.com replied to robinb's topic in WING BADGES

Since this is now identified and non-US this thread is closed

M7 bayonet Imperial + M8A1 TWB

Stout replied to Stout's topic in EDGED WEAPONS

Thank you a lot for this great info ! Much appreciated ! 😀 kind regards

79th and 104th Infantry Division Patches WW2?

Bosley posted a topic in ARMY AND USAAF

Hi All, I'm trying to learn how to identify WWII era division patches. I believe these are both authentic WWII patches, but not certain. Thoughts? If you could point me to a good resource for learning how to identify/authentic these, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! -Bosley

What is this wing?

Kropotkin replied to robinb's topic in WING BADGES

WW2 Royal Canadian Air Force operation tour badge, for aircrew who completed a tour of operations on bombers or operational hours for fighters, transport, etc. Nice that it retains its backing plate.