landsknechte

That sounds about right. It's for some photography equipment, and that would price it pretty close to the US prices for the equipment. Thanks, --Chris

I'm helping a friend with some research in the immediate postwar period... We have a record of some materials that were purchased from a German firm by American forces immediately after VE Day. Does anyone have any guess as to what the exchange rate between RM and USD would have been at that point? Thanks, --Chris

Already sold it, I'm afraid.

I was able to dig up the answer, but neglected to update this thread. It's apparently for the fuse of a commonplace aerial bomb. Nothing as romantic as an 88, I'm afraid.

Can anyone help me determine what weapon's fuse would have been contained in this Bakelite fuse case?

...and a couple of detail photos: Anyone have any idea what this is? --Chris

Approximately 30" square. Sleeves on two sides for poles. (The first photo is on it's side. The left side of the photo is the bottom of the flag.)

In regards to this, or any other field of historical inquiry, a supposition made without any evidence is useless. A little "scientific method", por favor.

I've been researching how WW2 Army paybooks (the "Soldier's Individual Pay Record") were filled out, and I haven't been able to find any examples that show the actual pay records from page 4 on filled out. Does anyone have any examples that they might be able to post? Thanks, --Chris

The same thought has crossed my mind, but I can't figure out what it could be cut down from. The shape isn't right to be a cut down M1913 blade.

This curious knife arrived in the mail a couple of days ago, and I'm still trying to make sense of it. The specs: Blade is 5 9/16" long. As viewed from the top 3/16" thick at the thickest point. 1/4" from the back of the blade to the beginning of the fuller. Fuller is 5/16" wide. From fuller to edge is approx 3/8". It seems to be a hair wider, and a little thicker than the M1905E1 bayonet I have to compare it against. Quite a bit shorter. Also, it doesn't fit into the M8 scabbard that the M1905E1 slides right into. Any thoughts?

Sorry... In an oval, on the back: STOLLA WEIN

Anybody have a clue what these might be?

Does anyone know what's going on here? It looks like the handle and guard of a M3 trench knife, but the blade looks more like the cut down blade of an M1905E1 bayonet with a slightly shorter fuller.

I hate to be the first one to say it, but you've reduced the resale value of your bars dramatically. In the eyes of most collectors of German medals, there's no way to tell if a bar is a remount or a fabrication, and most will assume that it's a fabrication. At best, you'll get the value of the medals individually. In the interests of diplomacy, I'll refrain from further comment. --Chris

...any idea?

Awards that were only issued to Spaniards mounted in German style bar, in a precedence that doesn't make sense for a Spaniard?

Provided that the background is a dark navy, and not black (hard to tell from the pic), they look like the right style. From what I gather, there aren't a lot of photographs showing PFC chevrons being worn on the M42 jacket.

I think the progression was from Private to PFC, and then up through the technician ranks. Just look for the "T" underneath the chevrons when you come across pictures of medics ranked above PFC. I know that NATO currently considers a British Lance Corporal and an American PFC to be equivalent, but I can't find anything concrete.

I'm assuming this is supposed to be a ribbon bar...

I can't decide whether it disturbs me more that someone might actually buy this, or that someone actually made this and had some real expectation of passing it off as genuine.

Thanks!! One question though... Now that I know where to look in these materials, can someone aim me in the direction of where to go about actually finding these materials for the references themselves? --Chris

On another forum where I have this posted, someone has an identical example, but stamped in such a way as to suggest it was Finnish. Of course, the Finns used plenty of captured equipment, so that may not even make a difference. I hadn't noticed it initially, but the edges were sharpened (obviously not recently).

Was found alongside an American M-1928 e-tool carrier that it fits into. Anyone have any clue where it may have come from?