Flyingdutchman

... set of pics in the German Spiegel: http://www.spiegel.de/wissenschaft/technik/kittyhawk-p-40-abgestuerzter-weltkriegsflieger-in-sahara-gefunden-a-832749.html Rgds; Dutch

Hi, thanks for the input. Value? It was a cheap ebay find, 210 GBP There are more infos available, maybe helpfull, maybe not: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?queryType=1&resultcount=1&Edoc_Id=8694558 The number could be a unit number? Unfortunately I can't make out the other name, could be a German one Any thoughts greatly appreciated. Regards; Hermann

Mervyn, BMB also produced liners: http://thebrodiehelmet.weebly.com/brodie-manufacturers.html Regards; Hermann

Hello, it seems to be Joe Davidovitz. Liner is marked BMB 1939, Briggs Motor Bodies Ltd Daggenham. Shell has a very faint stamping 73 and 1940 below. Hard to see. The German name appears probably as well, still trying to read. Thanks for looking. Rgds; Flyingdutchman

More photos: http://s159.photobucket.com/albums/t145/Jeansalbum/Kreta%20Helmet/ Thanks for looking ! Rgds; Dutch

Gentlemen, this is an interesting early British Mk.II helmet captured by German troops on Crete in 1941. Liner marked with BMB 1939. The entire helmet is in nice condition, however uncleaned. There are several names and a number scratched to the surface of this helmet. I have a few ideas on these, though I would appreciate the help of the fellow members here, because this helmet is genuine British, and I'm not. This lid is definetely old, same with the writing on it. There is no newly made smell on it and the colours are not removable by Aceton. Would be great to hear your thoughts on this artefact. It's a little bit like a message in a bottle, coming to us through the times. Thanks for any help. Best regards; Flyingdutchman

Gentlemen, this helmet looks interesting to me: click. Though I have no idea whether the helmet is original nor any idea about the insignia. Any thoughts on this mostly appreciated. Thanks in advance. Rgds; Flyingdutchman

Hi Arromanches, sorry, I'm a little bit late on parade with my answer. I haven't received any info from the system here, however thanks for your kind and informative answer. May I ask you whether you have a few more detailled informations about Grützmacher, please? His entire career would be interesting to know. Thanks in advance. Best; Flyingdutchman

Maybe he was a Vizefeldwebel, that could be the reason why the normal 'f' was used. But this is not a strong point, just an idea. Rgds; Flyingdutchman

I do believe that the characters on the front are the usually bu-un-cho-kyu (eternal good luck in war). But no clue what the others are meaning. Thanks for any help ! Rgds; Flyingdutchman

Thanks for any help !

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Gentleman, I have recently purchased this 1000 stitch belt. Anyone out there who is able to translate, please ? Would be fantastic ! Thanks in advance. Regards; Flyingdutchman

Gentlemen, I do hate to disagree with the reasonable opinion of a fellow enthusiast, but here I would dare it. The engraving we are looking at is in my opinion far from being amateurish. It was done imo from a skilled engraver by hand, just using his engraving-head (Stichel). As a German I have to add that this engraving looks pretty close to what I have seen so many times on bowls, daggers, handguns, sport/hunting trophys from that period. More than this. There is simply no false cut or misproportion as far as I can see. This shows the hand of a skilled craftsman in my humble opinion. Of course, I can be wrong easily, we are just looking at pictures. But one point causes me thinking. The term 'Feldwebel' usually should be written with a large 'F', even as an abbreviation. Noteworthy the engraver wrote it with a small 'f'. Gramatically this is incorrect in the German language. Maybe this is because he was a Vizefeldwebel or it was just done to fit better to this cross. A faker would have done it correctly imo. This is where I have to agree with Vtwinvince totally. As soon as you are dealing with ultra rare and famous names and/or units, one should be very cautios. Such an ultra rare unit is suspicious, there is no doubt. So Vic should try hard to find out who the former owner was. We are dealing just with a limited amount of soldiers, especially nco's. So it should be possible, and maybe necessary to track this person down. There is no know-it-all intention in my post, just another thought, which I hope is ok. Best; Flyingdutchman

Gentlemen, unfortunately Vic missed a few things to explain here. Beside the fact that this engraving has a few points and markings here and there it is important to understand that the term 'Kampfwagenabteilung' means nothing less than tank or as Germans would say from the 30's on, Panzer. So we are looking here at an Iron Cross 1st class from the very few first tank crew-men from the Great War. The rarity of such a piece is amazing. Just to add a little bit history to this picture. Of course it would be lovely from Vic to post pics from the front and from the case as well providing us with a few links about the tank attacks during the 2nd battle of the Somme in 1918. Best; Flyingdutchman

Gentlemen, thank you very much for the input. It is great to learn. Happily I was able find a stamp from the Canadian Lamp Company. So it is definetely, as mentioned here, Canadian. Thanks again for your great help ! Regards; Flyingdutchman

last one. Sorry for the copyright remark, but I don't want to see anything on an auction platform. Thank you. Rgds; Flyingdutchman

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Gentlemen, this is my latest purchase. A nice Brodie MkII with a camo net. Interestingly there is even camouflage color beneath the net. I would love to remove the net, but it is in such a fragile condition, I don't want to damage anything. The only thing I can make out is a War Departement stamp inside the shell. The question is: Is this a Canadian or British helmet ? Does it happen sometimes to see camo colours beneath such a net ? Of course, it gives a great camouflage effect. Last pic shows an American M1, worn most likely by Sgt. Marvin T.Schapp, 7th. Regiment, F.Company. He received the Bronze Star w/ Oak Leaf Cluster at Nov. 6th, 1944. There is a Cotton Baler Insignia on the other side of the helmet. The German M35 with Camo unfortunately doesn't show any name on it. However this German helmet appeared in Tom Kibler's book 'Combat Helmets' on page 14/15. Thanks for looking. Best; Flyingdutchman

btt, thank you !