Militaria Through The Ages Lot 48: Japanese WWII Soldier's Combination Pocket Knife and Can Opener
Any advanced collector knows that often it is the small details that really set an exhibit, collection, or display apart from the rest. This humble knife will never know the glamor something like a shiny shin guntō.. but you could fill many trucks with WWII Japanese swords before you stumble across one of these again! And if we are being honest, from the perspective of the common Japanese soldier - this played a much more important role in his daily existence.
7.3cm long when folded, this simple utilitarian knife has a 5cm blade, and a hooked tin opener on one side which is held in place or released for use by the cam action of a short lanyard loop. Dark patina overall. A simple, but very scarce Japanese soldier's individual accessory.
The sale is up currently, open for registration and pre-bids. Live sale date is October 13 at 10:00 am US Central Time.
Japanese WWII Soldier's Combination Pocket Knife and Can Opener. 7.3cm long when folded, this simple utilitarian knife has a 5cm blade, and a hooked tin opener on one side which is held in place or r...
Militaria Through The Ages Lot 66: Imperial German First Pattern Body Armor
These were used by soldiers in exposed positions like trench sentries, MG crews, and also famously by assault troops who charged across no-man's land and then discarded the cumbersome things in piles as they went about the task of clearing Allied trenches. This set of first pattern armor retains ~60% original field gray painted finish among soil and patina. The three descending size sporran armor segment plates are present, with tan web straps and felt spacers. The straps appear original, resewn in spots where the stitching had given way. All of the sporran plates display "[crown]/B" inspection or manufacturer stamps. Interior of the breastplate has a large black stenciled size marking "2". A nice set!
The sale is up currently, open for registration and pre-bids. Live sale date is October 13 at 10:00 am US central time.
Assault Troops / Machine Gunner First Pattern Body Armor First pattern armor set retains ~60% original field gray painted finish among soil and patina. The three descending size sporran armor segmen...
Militaria Through The Ages Lot 155: 1950s-1960s Experimental Signal Corps Reconnaissance Camera PH-631
When our long-time customer and very dear friend Brian said that he had a few things to consign, I was of course pleased (Brian has EXCELLENT taste in militaria). He departed to retrieve his treasures, and the next thing I knew, my friend was schlepping this monster up to the Bannerman van. At first glance, I had no idea what it was other than a camera... a big, heavy, crazy camera. Didn't matter - I was instantly smitten - what a wild piece of gear! Turns out it is also a very interesting piece of experimental kit.
This experimental reconnaissance camera was first described in a 1 May, 1953 Project TEOTA (The Eyes Of The Army) report "Problems of Battlefield Surveillance". In it, the Signal Corps outlines various offensive and defensive systems for Company, Regimental Combat Team, and Field Army levels utilizing portable photography, acoustics, radar, television, and infrared devices and programs. The PH-631 is introduced in the report as a vehicle mounted, 40" reconnaissance camera in development, capable of utilizing either Land-Polaroid or conventional film. The system was intended for rapid, front line battlefield surveillance, allowing personnel to quickly capture and develop high-contrast images of tactical targets like machine gun emplacements at ranges of up to 2,000 yards.
The sale is up currently, open for registration and pre-bids. Live sale date is October 13 at 10:00 am US central time.
1950s-1960s Experimental Signal Corps Reconnaissance Camera PH-631 Massive 65.5 pound metal case measures 29" long and almost 12" wide with a cone housing a Bell & Howell Type I, 36 inch, f/8 tel...
Militaria Through The Ages Lot 175: WWII USN / USMC Corduroy Flight Helmet: Hard Rubber Ear Cups & Navy MK II Goggles
This outstanding pre-war / early war set was in a collection that we handled long ago as Advance Guard Militaria. There were two stellar sets in there that I determined were too good to pass up and thus became part of the happy things that decorated my office at AGM for many years. Priorities change, though, and now it is time for BOTH of those premium sets to go make another caretaker smile and enjoy them as much as I did. This very unusual flight helmet is of olive drab corduroy cloth and features brown hard rubber 'volcano' earcups with chamois material covering the base and junction with the helmet, TH 37 receivers with rubber-encased wiring loom, and chamois interior lining. Label is present but worn to the point of illegible. Helmet has chamois-lined chinstrap chape with cloth adjustment billet. Includes a fine set of Mark II goggles with gray elastic strap, gray metal frames with streamlined vents, clear lenses, and one-piece face pad with chamois interior and gray finished rubber exterior marked "USN". Shows light wear but remains in excellent pliable condition. A really outstanding WWII Navy / Marine Corps rigger modified flight helmet set!
The sale is up currently, open for registration and pre-bids. Live sale date is October 13 at 10:00 am US Central Time.
WWII USN / USMC Corduroy Flight Helmet: Hard Rubber Ear Cups & Navy MK II Goggles Outstanding pre-war / early war set. Olive drab corduroy cloth flight helmet features brown hard rubber 'volcano' ea...
Militaria Through The Ages Lot 174: US Navy / Marine Corps Aircraft Fabric with Star Insignia c. 1921-1941.
This US aviation insignia will pack a punch wherever you choose to display it – your office, entryway, living room, or collection room. The 40-inch roundel of aircraft fabric has great historic and graphic appeal, and the back is as fascinating as the front. It retains shadows of the airframe and rows of the cording that attached it. The silver edges suggest it was removed from a Navy or Marine Corps aircraft and the red disc behind the star indicates a 1941 or earlier plane (The red was removed in ‘41 to prevent confusion with Japanese aircraft).
The sale is up currently, open for registration and pre-bids. Live sale date is October 13 at 10:00 am US Central Time.
US Navy / Marine Corps Aircraft Fabric with Star Insignia c. 1921-1941. Removed from a cloth-covered airframe, this 40" diameter c.1921-1941 US national emblem roundel features a white star with a red...
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