Avitas

Here are a couple I have posted elsewhere, but they belong here with their friends! First the Sonnendwendfeier tinnie for Summer Solstice 1935, painted. Pat

Hi Larry, Yes the badge has the brown colour so I would reckon it is an officer's badge. I also have a Calgary Highlanders badge in the brown colour, so I assume it is an officers cap badge as well? Here is a pic with the brown colour and a standard one I would say. Pat

It appears that my badge may be a copy (probably so) is a casting of Nan Su's badge, as the eagle's head and feet are identical to mine, but my reverse has a different pin and, as mentioned earlier, mine is peculiarly marked with the Luftwaffe code of "5". What do the edges of your badge look like Nan Su? Thanks, Pat

I'd have to say Stogieman that the edges are not hand filing, they appear machine or cast made, they are far too deep of grooves and all equidistant. They are like the edge of a minted coin with the uneven edges, very precise, no way a human could make the edges. It appears some of the grooves have been filed down perhaps, but hte overall edges are not due to hand filing I would say. I will definitely have to post some new scans of the edges when I get back from my trip. Any further ideas after this new information? Thanks, Pat

As a side note to the badge I posted, the edges are very unique as they are almost serrated, but with rounded tips. It is like some coins that have an edge almost like a butter knife with many small crevasses in perfect symmetry. Can anyone explain this edging property? It is definitely not die-stamping marks, as this badge is cast, but the edges have this unique comb-like edges. I will try to post scans of this, but they are very tiny edges. Any ideas are welcome. Thanks, Pat

Ahh, the beauty of the internet! This sort of thing is a real benefit to all collectors (especially us just starting out). Great resource Gold Party Pin Guy! Pat

I see the shipping went more smoothly for your McDaniel book Dan! I will be keeping my eyes peeled for any good research book on Soviet and TR items myself, and I wish they were easier to come by! A wonderful trade wouldn't you say Dan (your old friends are safe and sound and in good company) and now you finally have the "bible". Cheers, Pat

Thanks Robert, Another question, how does one come across any of the "Foxhole" books? If anyone knows of any for sale or how to find one, please let me know. Also, I have posted the rest of my tinnies in my other main post ("Some Tinnies from the collection") so please feel free to leave any comments (I have seen a lot of viewers, but all so shy! Cheers, Pat

That's what I figured, any ID on the various insignia? Pat

Hi there, An update on this gentleman, I did a few more searches and did find one more tidbit of info when I did a search on google for "J.O. Aitkens" and found a report on the 2005 Royal Military Colleges Club of Canada Annual General Meeting. If you click on the "Html" version it loads instantly. It appears that LtCmdr J.O. Aitkens passed away in early 2005, as he is listed in the deceased column for the year along with Smoky Smith, so I acquired this uniform shortly after his death. His name on the list is followed by a ('40) so I assume this is his year of graduation from the RMC. If Michael or anyone else out there knows more about this great Canadian sailor or a good way besides the standard web searches to find more history about him I would be very grateful. I just want to be able to tell the story behind the uniform. All I know so far is that he was on a large Canadian ship in the mediterranean during ww2 (the ribbon bars attest to this) and rose to Liutenant Commander during the war, and stayed in through the 50's. He is probably John Ormond Aitkens as Michael Johnson pointed out, but if anyone can confirm there was only one J.O. Aitkens that would help also (but highly unlikely that there were more than one). Thanks again, Pat

Thanks Michael, The dealer told me he stayed in the Navy until the '50's, so the two dates make sense post war, but he was definitely active in ww2. When I get a few moments I will do a more thorough search. Pat

Here is a shot of the inside of the cap with maker's marks. Any ID on the maker and date of manufacture are great. Pat

This is probably my best DDR piece, an Officer's cap. I think it is army but I could be wrong. It is in good shape and is marked, and any more info on it is welcome. Thanks, Pat

and the inside of the Air Raid Patrol helmet, with maker stamp G.S.W., D.P. & H. Does anybody recognize this maker? Any comments on either helmet are great. Thanks, Pat

I forgot to mention the above pictured Minas helmet it stamped 1940. Again, I might be mistaken on when the ship (HMCS Minas) was actually built and in use, so any help is welcome! Next up I have my ARP helmet, a nice one! Cheers. Pat

and the inside of the painted "HMCS Minas" helmet. I have heard that these painted ones are a bit rarer and have some artistic value, any thoughts on the subject? I wonder if those wings are meant to be "Flash" wings... Thanks, Pat

A close-up of the crude wing painting on either side..

Hello there, Took some pics of my ww2 Canadian helmets, charming things as they were. The first one I am posting has some hand-painted designs on it of two wings on each side of the helmet (like the old "Flash" DC comic character from the 40's or the Detroit Red Wings wings) and the name HMCS Minas and an anchor painted on. THe HMCS Minas was a Canadian Minesweeper in action from 43-45. This gent must have been on deck most of the time (gunner?) as there were few helmets on board. Any ideas on it? Thanks, Pat

and the last pic for now, the inside of the Scully hat. Please leave your comments and any ideas on researching the person who earned this uniform of Liutenant Commander J.O. Aitkens. I think his name was Jonathan or Johnathon or some spelling of that (all the dealer could remember! This was my good dealer too, not the OTHER dealer ). Anyways, can't wait for what you have to say about this fine grouping (now all it needs is a picture and the story!) Cheers, Pat

Last but not least, the salty sailors cap, made by Scully's of Montreal. I love this hat, such character and oh the stories it could tell! Pat

And the tag for the pants, also made by Gieves, Plymouth and with a date of 6.6.45. and the full J.O.Aitkens name. Again, any help on finding out about this sailor is extremely great! Thanks, Pat

And a picture of the matching pants, with nice crease. These are wool I believe.

a close-up of the sleeve rank. Nice indeed. Pat

Come to think of it, it does kind of look like a "5" for the second number in the date, so it is ?/5/45 as far as I can see. Here are the medal ribbons on the jacket, all non-glowing (like everything on the jacket). Pat

another shot of the tag...