Tony

Is it the postcard that's worth all that money?

8 hours ago, ccj said:

How'd you do that?

Mate it's easy.

Some card, an old box, a knife, ruler, felt and a couple of crosses to draw around.

I've now turned it into a box for cufflinks.

I completely agree with Brian, fantastic!

Tony

8 hours ago, Chris Boonzaier said:

Hah... you have too much time on your hands!!

On 06/05/2016 at 20:08, turtle said:

Thanks for the additional info, Tony!

I should have added that he was the only WT Jeffree registered in Great Britain in 1939, so a very good chance the man you found is the recipient.

Chris, the Selza looks exactly like the one on my wrist at the mo only it's a non military Junghans, my strap is similar to the one on the unknown make (but obviously better quality :)) and dates to the 30s as far as I know. Apparently the buckle dates it if my info is correct.

As for the unknown make it's possibly a no name export post war Swiss watch. All watches are of interest, the Soviet ones I've seen have been small, around 30mm diameter and early post war, some were unmarked but I wouldn't call them poor quality compared to an every day Swiss watch.

Have you tried checking out the movement number?

Have a look at this site http://www.vintagewatchstraps.com/strapdetails.php He makes straps to order, mainly for the older trench type watch but also for later fixed lug watches like the one you show as well as the modern military watch. I've been very happy with all the straps I've bought from him.

It'd be nice to see some detail on everything especially the US(?) lids.

That is interesting and good to know my memory isn't as bad as I thought. I remember the buttons on the collar of the jacket I used to have sometimes getting caught. Wish I hadn't thrown it away.

If there aren't any buttons on your one I must be wrong and the jacket probably came either as a one piece with hood or a normal issue jacket without.

Aren't the red liner bands usually dated? The dates I've seen in them are usually 1972 but I'm not sure if the helmet itself is dated.

Didn't the standard combat jacket (is that the same as a smock?) come with buttons on the collar to fit the rarely issued hood?

Shame his medals aren't in the family but at least you now know something about his service if you weren't previously aware.

Another nice group and a late issue going by the address on the box. You and John make finding POW groups look so easy.

James H Dickinson also served in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers with the number 52230 and was only entitled to a pair, so you have his full entitlement.

That's all I could find but it's a great little lot.

Tony

Did you ask the seller to nip back up to the attic in case another was there?

I always leave things as they are but that's just me. If I was going to mount a group I'd use original ribbon.

Don't know, I suppose looking at it at face value any group with the Battle of Britain clasp but the real value is in the research, the man or woman behind the medals. As WWII Brit medals aren't named it makes research impossible without any accompanying paperwork.

What a cracking group. Shame about the 2 missing medals and I wonder what he was up to in 1917.

Tony

Here's a link for clasps in case you fancy taking a look http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/staff/hartleyi/bobclasp.htm

It's really about the BoB clasp but shows originals of others.

Tony

Welcome to the forum.

The first things I look for are the position of the W and the dimpling. The W in yours looks ok but the photos aren't large enough to be certain about the dimpling, have a look here if you're not 100% sure http://www.northeastmedals.co.uk/britishguide/aircreweurpestarcopyfake.htm

Is the Atlantic clasp original?

Tony

I'll second that, Ouvrage de la Falouse is well worth visiting.

I thought the museum at Fleury was reopening on the 21st or is it taking longer than they thought?

I might have shown this before - Thiepval in 1940.