Hoyden R.

I saw this guy's work, so now I have to have a ring made from a coin from either Italy or Ireland. I'm trying to find a ring made of silver that is about 23mm. It's a challenge to find one with a nice design around the edge. My biggest finger is a rather loose size 6, so we can't use one of the bigger coins that I really like. Any idea how we can run down such a coin? https://www.etsy.com/shop/ArtifactCoinRings I like the Gothic florins as well.

Paul and I were at a Militaria show and I saw a piece of your exquisite work. I recognized the craftmanship right off that bat as belonging to you. I forgot to take a picture of it, next time I see that vendor, I'll take a picture.

Those wrinkles are STILL making me twitch!! You should have let me steam them out!!

You know, there is an idea. I can display those "onsies" in a custom frame that I build. Red, yellow, pink, green, purple, orange and blue....... That's an idea. I need to file that away for future reference. Then again, I'll have to convince my husband that he should let me FRAME THEM and HANG THEM ON THE WALL instead of languishing away in a ruddy bin in his collection closet.

It is the U.S. Coast Guard enlisted (E1 - E6) hat device.

I don't know, ask my husband. I asked him the same thing and then looked at him blankly and when what he explained to me made absolutely NO sense. Then again, I am OCD so I like order in everything, "odd boys out" whether it is socks or insignia are annoying.

Your wife wants a M1913 Patton Saber for Christmas.

This is one of the reasons I look for MULTIPLE sources of information and when there is an extant example, I try to find detailed pictures and have paid people to go take pictures for me. I learned the hard way a long time ago what artistic license means.

I am beginning to appreciate books, paper records etc. more and understand why Rick likes them. I have a freakish memory. I can remember WHERE I saw something if I saw it in a book, a newspaper, a record book, a log, etc. if I held it in my hand and read it. I can almost always remember where to find that information later, at the very least he location of the source of information, but most times I can go right to the chapter in the book. (Never argue with me in person, I will be able to remember everything verbatim if you ever wear the same shirt or shirt and pants again. Even if it's 5 years later.) But online research? Unless there are some pretty graphics in that damn web header so my associative memory can pin the two together, forget it. I have to go hunting for it again unless I had the foresight to bookmark the link in a folder and hope to hell that my computer doesn't crash and loose my treasure trove of bookmarks.

And a bit of info that someone else pulled up to go along with the history of Chief Kuchta. Etamin - the battle that almost sunk her http://www.uscg.mil/...es/Caroline.asp The Coast Guard's Role in the Invasion of the Southwest Pacific and the Caroline Islands by Dr. Robert M. Browning. The Coast Guard manned Cargo ship Etamin (AK-93), steamed toward Aitape Harbor on the night of April 21, 1944. The Etamin sailed as part of a 161 vessel task force, including twenty other Coast Guard vessels, organized to make landings at Hollandia, Tanahmerah Bay, and Aitape. During the approach to the invasion beach, the ship's commanding officer, LCDR George Stedman USCGR, spoke to his men and told them of their mission and its hazards. On board were 6,000 tons of high explosives and gasoline in drums destined to be unloaded on the invasion beach. A mistake with this cargo would be fatal. At 0545 the cargo vessel entered the harbor with the rest of the Eastern Attack Group. With minesweepers ahead, Etamin had on each beam other amphibious ships approaching the beach in the dark. In the predawn mist a destroyer shattered the stillness with the opening shots of the preliminary bombardment. The Etamin's three-inch gun opened up shortly thereafter pummeling enemy targets that included enemy pillboxes and a Japanese barge. The bombardment ended at 0630 and the combat team from the ship landed at 0800. Forty minutes later the cargo hatches were off and the winches whined as the heavy LCMs, and the cargo began going over the side. Japanese aircraft attacked the beachhead on the second night. Bombs fell on the congested beach area and started a fire among gasoline storage and an ammunition dump. The fire lasted five days. On the night of 27 April, Japanese torpedo planes attacked the anchorage. At 2300 one swung in low off the starboard side of the Etamin and released a torpedo. It struck the starboard side about ten feet above the keel in the number five hold and ruptured the shell plating and the shaft alley. The blast sprayed gasoline over the after part of the ship, but the gas did not immediately catch fire. As the number five hold and the engine room flooded, gas fumes came in contact with the boilers and ignited. The engine room exploded in flames and severely burned three men. All hands fought the fire as the stern rapidly settled. LCDR Stedman decided to beach the ship but with no power he had to ask for assistance from an LCT. The LCT, however, could not budge the large cargo ship and Stedman gave the order to abandon ship. Only two of the ship's complement of 200 Coast Guard and 150 Army personnel died. Fortunately this was the only serious damage suffered by any of the Naval vessels during the Hollandia operation.

Here are a few more pages from the USS Admiral W.L. Capps (AP-121) US Navy Cruise Book The entire Cruise Log is 122 pages long. There is an entire 20 page section that tells the "Saga" of the ship and where it went, as well as sections that describe what each division did. If there is a particular section you'd like to see, I can download the pages and post them.

18 SEPTEMBER 1944 - 8 MAY 1946 Chief Kuchta served aboard the USS Admiral W. L. Capps (AP-121). He arrived on it's commissioning date, 18 September 1944. There are no muster rolls, but here is the page from the USS Admiral W.L. Capps (AP-121) US Navy Cruise Book with him listed (This is on Ancestry.com, I am not sure if you can see the whole book without a membership) From 20 November 1944 until 12 July 1945, the USS Admiral W.L. Capps served in the Pacific Theater. They passed through the Panama Canal on 30 & 31 July 1945, steamed up to Norfolk and then departed for the Mediterranean on 1 September 1945. Upon returning from Europe (and one of my favorite places, Naples, Italy), on 3 November 1945, they made several trips back and forth across the pond. The USS Admiral W.L. Capps, once again, departed Norfolk for the Pacific Theater on 29 December 1945. The Cruise log concludes on 24 April 1946 in New York NY for a grand total of 112,000 miles.

27 APRIL - 29 APRIL 1944 : Just before midnight, three Japanese airplanes scored a lone torpedo hit on the USS Etamin (AK93) at Milne Bay, New Guinea. Crew from the USS Etamin was transferred to the USS Bootes (AK99) on 28 April 1944. When the USS Bootes left Aitape on 29 April, she had the USS Etamin in tow. 28 April 1944: USS Etamin crew aboard the USS Bootes 27 May 1944: Report of Change showing the crew of the USS Etamin transferring off.

Queen Research Gnome did some digging in Ancestry.com per Paul's request. Here's what I found. Make sure you click the links too, because I've either linked to more pictures or to sources of information. Joseph Francis Kuchta DOB: 7 August 1919 Class of 1938, New Kensington High School, New Kensington, PA Enlisted in the Coast Guard: 16 December 1938 Service Number: 220-057 25 MAY 1943: USS Etamin (AK93) is commissioned with Lieutenant Commander G. W. Stedman, Jr., USCGR, in command. Chief Pharmacist Mate Joseph F. Kuchta reports aboard for duty on the date of the USS Etamin's commissioning. Chief Kuchta is accounted for in the Muster Roll of the Crew 30 June 1943 30 September 1943 31 December 1943 2 February 1944 - 28 February 1944: Leave in Sydney, Australia Chief Kuchta is transported to and from Australia aboard the USS LCI(L)25 31 March 1944

Thank you. You hit the nail on the head, I am that dreaded "Stitch Nazi". Although I tend to be one of the "look, learn & listen" variety vs. the finger pointing, critiquing sort when it comes to reenactors. I also shared what I learned when asked instead of hoarding sources. I wasn't going to do the research for them, but I would tell them what they needed and were to find it. We won't discuss the historical accuracy of Pirates of the Caribbean. Let us just say that POC has made my Pirate reenactor friends very busy and they've made it a point to make it known that Jack Sparrow would not have stood a prevaricator's chance in hell during the Golden Age of Piracy. I have an old world set of skills and believe in the old world quality of craftsmanship. And it is also the reason that an old neighbor of mine used to call the cops. Only the obsessed would put a linen arming jack on a human dummy out in their yard and stab it repeatedly with various types of blades to ensure that she had the right combination of linen weight and weave density to arrest a wayward thrust.

Have a look here. Abe's Books is one of my favorite places to get books from. I have scored some fabulous finds there. The Prussian Army 1808-1815, David Nash You know those dusty book barn type stores? The ones with stacks and stacks of used books EVERYWHERE? Check those out. I used to always keep several copies of my updated "Book Lust List" in the center console of my truck so that I always had it on hand AND I could leave a copy with the owner or manager of those stores if they asked for my list. Quite often I would get a call that a book I was looking for had come in. I scored a hard bound copy of the Medieval Tailor's Assistant for $15.00 when they were out of print and going for up to $100.00 on Abe Books and Ebay. I would also check out Goodwill, Salvation Army and other Charity thrift stores because quite often people will dump entire estates of books there.

You are welcome. I used to make historically accurate clothing for reenactors, museums and Renaissance Fairs, so I learned how to research clothing so that I could recreated those articles. I wanted my creations to be so accurate that if they were put side by side with an extent example, the only difference between my creation and the original would be wear and the passage of time. We used to joke that it had to be 100% accurate, right down to the under clothing. I would research the cloth used, the weft and warp of the weave, the type of dye used, how the dye was manufactured, the cut of the article of clothing, how it was cut from the cloth (cutting at an angle or bias will give an article of clothing some stretch. Important for things like gaiters, hose, breeches etc.), the type of seems used to construct the clothing, the thread, thread content, thread weight, the stitches used. For leather items like belts, shoes, pouches etc, I did the same. Where the leather came from, how it was tanned and then dyed, what type of dyes were used, the source of the dyes, what kind of tools were used, what type of fasteners, nails, stitches, source of the metal findings, (buckles, buttons, fasteners, etc) how they were cast, from what metals. With shoes, I researched the construction and type of last used. (Yes, I can even make leather shoes, lol) It was interesting to me to see how military uniforms have changed and progressed through through the ages as our methods of warfare have changed. From medieval times when colors, color combinations and symbols of heraldry were so distinct that a herald a top a hill or look out could record the course of battle to modern times when our uniforms are made to blend into the environment in which we are fighting. I found that the "color charts" identifying the different Napoleonic units rather interesting as the modern military has certain color distinctions for certain regiments, units etc. as well.

My friend Mathias lives in Sigmaringen, Germany. I infected his son, Mathias II, with the History Bug a few years ago, Mathias II started volunteering at museum (whose name I can not remember) and was just hired part time. I asked him to help me locate Uniform Regulations in German. He says he thinks he found a book with a description of uniforms from 1800 - 1870 in the museum's library. He will ask for permission to handle it and translate it the pages that describe the Prussian Hussar uniforms. He will take pictures of the pages if permitted.

Is it written out to William Plunkett? One of these days I will get all my Great grandfather's papers and journals. He was a member of the IRA, left Ireland, was kicked out of the US for bootlegging, so he bought a farm in Nova Scotia and continued his boot legging operations. I've heard bits and tales of what he did in the IRA, but one thing I know for sure, that man could set a charge like nobody's business. I saw him set charges and blast rocks out of the side of a hill without damaging the barn above it or the crops below it.

Nice find!

No. It is NOT a legitimate uniform, at least not one for which I can find documentation for. I even posted it on several Historical Reenactor's boards and costuming forums. After hours and hours of searching, I have not been able to locate one single plate (illustration), picture, painting, drawing, or written description of a uniform that matches that abomination. The jacket with the turncuffs, front plackard and shortened tails is from the 1812 Bardin Regulations. The breeches and gaiters are as well. The gaiters were worn by Infantry and were taller (over the knee) prior to the Bardin regulations which shortened them because the Infantry soldiers cut them short to make them more comfortable. The head cover is a mitre that was usually worn by grenadier's and fusiliers, but it fell out of favor/fashion during the Napoleonic wars (1809) and was replaced by bicorn hats and shakos. The images of the mitre hats (Grenadiermütze) that I saw had brass front plates with images and designs tamped into them from the reverse or were stiffened cloth with embroidery on the front. RUSSIAN Grenadier Regiment Uniforms 1801 - 1825. Wigs fell out of fashion for Military Officers between 1810 - 1812, the fell out of fashion in the civilian world around 1809. So, until I find other documentation, I have to say that those horrible nutcracker-esque, playschool colored costumes are an artistic rendition of elements of several uniforms. I would have much rather seen an actual recreation of a trumpeter's uniform from the Russian army used. Of those, there are many illustrations and plenty of documentation. The closest match to abomination at Spasskaya tower that I could find is this uniform below for an Officer of Life Guard Preobrazhensk Regiment, 1817

Your answer is in the text that I have posted above (20 May 1814; Illustration 1426), however, I did not explain why I posted that answer, so I will elaborate it for you at length. When one is researching military uniforms, they must know the history of that country, their military, understand the politics of that time and know a bit about the "fashion" of that time period as well. As in ladies fashion, there are trends in military uniform designs. During the Napoleonic Wars, many countries were copying the French uniforms, their designers would make subtle changes for the specific type of unit, it's history, etc. We all know that everyone wants to look like the Victor. The Prussian Army under King Frederick William III collapsed under defeat by the French at the Battle of Jena-Auerstädt in October 1806. The King and his family fled to Memel in East Prussia where they were given shelter by Tsar Alexander I. The King and Tsar were not only allies, but close personal friends. From this point on, the Prussian Army borrowed heavily from the Russian Army. The Prussian Army's 'borrowings' ranged from the 'goose-step' to the permanently fixed bayonet and many marches, (in 1914, 15 percent of the offical Prussian march collection was of Russian origin), while Prussian uniforms followed Russian ones in every detail. (Hit CTRL + F, type in "borrowing" to find this passage) Interestingly enough, BOTH King Frederick William III and Tsar Alexander I were very interested in the French Army uniforms, so much so that their ramblings about them were amusing to Napoleon. King Frederick William III is described as a "Military Tailor". Read further.. “Being at Tilsit with Emperor Alexander and the King of Prussia,” said Napoleon at Sainte-Helena, “I was most ignorant of facts about military uniforms. These two sovereigns, the King of Prussia especially, were perfectly aware of the details of the number of buttons, which a coat was to have, in front, and behind; how the turnbacks, the facings and the collar were to be cut. Not a tailor of the army knew better than King William how much cloth one needed to make a great coat (capote) or a pair of gaiters. Finally,” he said while laughing, “I added that I could not compete with them. They continuously tormented me with questions of which I did not understand a word, though not to offend anybody, I answered as seriously as if the fate of an army had depended on the cut of a jacket. The first time that I went to see the King of Prussia, I found in his chamber, instead of a library, a large room, with the aspect of an arsenal, furnished with shelves and wall hooks to which fifty or sixty uniforms in various ways were hung, it was his guard’s robes; each day, he changed costume and put on a different dress from that of the day before. He appeared to attach so much money to the cut of the dress of a dragoon or a hussar, that he did not have any for the preservation of his kingdom.” “At Jena, the Prussian army, I must still acknowledge,” the Emperor remarked, “carried out the most brilliant maneuvers in the world; but soon, I made him know the difference that there was between carrying out beautiful maneuvers, wearing rich uniforms and to know how to fight. If,” Napoleon added while finishing, “the French Army had been commanded that day by a tailor, it would certainly have gained a victory; but success usually, in these kinds of businesses, depends on the skill of the General who commands rather, than on the tailor who cuts out the clothes, the Prussian army was completely beaten.” (Source) (Hit CTRL + F, type in "Tilsit" to find this passage) In 1812, the French issued the "Bardin Regulation" which describes the undress jacket as a single breasted undressed coat with one row of buttons, upright collar and turned back cuffs. This is what the Undress Coat that you have above is based on . The Prussians introduced in 1814. So, I posted the RUSSIAN references as the PRUSSIAN copied the RUSSIANS who copied the FRENCH. Makes sense? As to brief descriptions of the jacket, there are some here: Prussian Staff & Specialist Troops 1791-1815 (Type in "undress" in the search box.) You may also want to locate a copy of David Nash's The Prussian Army 1808-1815. I've found that locating Military Uniform regulations is also very helpful. I did message my friend Karl von Bohlen who lives in Germany to see if he could assist, but I have not heard back from him. He is from a Prussian family and attended a military high school (it's name escapes me) in Germany.

Perhaps you would be better off asking this question on a Historical Reenactment forum of the appropriate Country and Era as those of us who recreate the clothing and uniforms of the past tend to have or know where to find these items.

I just went on a "Research Rampage" because I could NOT believe that the Uniform that the trumpeter who rides atop the carriage at the opening of the Spasskaya Tower International Military Tattoo could be an actual uniform. The curiosity was eating me away, so I dove into the wonderful world wide web to find out if this abomination was truly a uniform of the past or figment of some fruity designers fertile imagination. I have inadvertently educated myself about Napoleonic uniforms. So here is what I have found about the kollet/dolman you have questioned, hope this answers your questions... Military Uniforms and Material Supply of the Russian Forces during the Reign of Alexander I (Hit Control +F, then type in dolman to come to the Hussar uniform description that you are looking for) HISTORICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE CLOTHING AND ARMS OF THE RUSSIAN ARMY VOLUME 8 - Army Cavalry, Artillery, Engineers, and Garrisons 1796-1801 (Hit Control +F, then type in dolman, the second hit will describe the dolman.) Picture is here: HISTORICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE CLOTHING AND ARMS OF THE RUSSIAN ARMY VOLUME 11 - Cuirassiers, Dragoons, Horse-Jägers, Hussars,Lancers, Gendarmes, and the Train 1801-1825 (Hit Control +F, then type in dolman, the second hit will describe the dolman.) Picture is here: notice the jacket on the PRIVATE Tiraspol Horse Chasseur Regiment, 1819-1820. Decription of this jacket 20 May 1814— Officers as well as lower ranks, in all Cuirassier regiments, are given single-breasted dress coats [kolety] with nine buttons, in place of the double-breasted ones. These have piping—in the same color as the collar—down the front and around the bottom to the tails, and white piping on the collar (Illus. 1426) Senior officers and non-commissioned officers of Orders Cuirassier Regiment in 1814. HISTORICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE CLOTHING AND ARMS OF THE RUSSIAN ARMY VOLUME 17 - Military Educational Institutions, Individual Military Appointments and Ranks, and Flags and Standards of Regular Forces. 1801-1825 6 April 1814 – On the embroidered coats of cavalry generals, instead of two rows of buttons, it was ordered that they have a single row of nine. Piping down the front opening was to be red, and both ends of the collar were to step back from the front opening for a distance of four vershoks [seven inches] (Illus. 2366). The standard army coat for cavalry generals was ordered to have the same buttons and piping, but the collar was to be closed with small hooks (Illus. 2367) (80). 12 December 1816 – The squadron’s nobles were ordered to have: instead of round cuffs—slit cuffs, with two buttons on each, as before, red with dark-green piping; accouterments, arms, and horse furniture as for Army Dragoon regiments: saddle cloths the same color as the dress coat, with piping, trim, monogram, and crown the same color as the collar (Illus. 2346). Officers received the same uniform clothing with their prescribed distinctions that distinguished them from lower ranks (Illus. 2347) (54). The objects of my ire, the ones that sent me off on this wild chase to to track down this historical source are these. The appear to be based on the Napoleonic Bardin Regulation, but maintain the mitre type hat worn by the Grenadiers and Fusilier, but was fell out during the Napoleonic wars.

Ohhhh...... good find! I'll have to sit down to have a read through this site.