Rich Yankowski

I have to agree with paracollector that the M1928 Christie influenced the T-34,but the T-34 is what most people think of.Perhaps one of the more influential tanks was the IS-3.It didn't see action in WW2,but most Western designs after the war were influenced by it. As to the Centurian being the first tank to have a stabilized barrel,what about the U.S. M4 Sherman and M3/M5 Stuarts? Here's a U.S. prototype tank that was very influential for U.S. designs.I believe only about five were built,and this one is made from 'soft' steel.Among other things,it had the first chemical toilet in a tank!

First off let me say you have a decent blade collection going!Looking good! As for the W,I'm not sure what it means.I don't have a reference book on German fighting knives yet,but hope to soon.

Flip side.And for those of you who know Brens,you might notice the handle for the part that locks in the barrel is on the wrong side.When I received it in the mail it was all in pieces,so I put them together the best I could.Only later did I notice my error,which has since been corrected!

Closer.

The other side.

I'm holding this Bren for a Canadian collector.The receiver has been cut in three places,according to BTAF regulations.

Thanks all! Jim P,thanks for the scoop on the sights,I've checked those sites before.The seller who sold me the leather straps also had a few AA sights,but they were $250 a pop! Vice Chairman,I paid abot a grand for this one,but if you really shop around they can be found in the $800 range.For a MG 42 add a few more hundred dollars.I'll get one someday,but my main addiction is Heer daggers,so they come first.

Bought a new video game a few weeks ago(another of my addictions!),and have been sinking ships in the Atlantic.Das Boot has nothing on me!

My newest,a 30" roundel,double sided.

This one is about 2'x4'.

Closer.

Just something about vet enhanced flags I like.This one is about 4'x8'.

A little beauty I picked up a short while ago.It has a solid receiver,so it's considered a non-gun.The bipod is a post war one,but I'll eventually get a period made one to replace it.I also intend on picking up a AA 'spider' site for it.Plus I bought two period slings for it,one leather and one canvas(I believe for the Africa Corp).

Glad to see you've been busy Eric!Nice blades all<and the ring isn't too bad either!

This is the only other pic of the Spitzer I have.

Both nice looking blades! Did all of the blades of this type have horn grips?

Guard closer.

The mark.

Most of the bigger dagger makers used thier own in-house made parts to make their daggers,while the smaller makers bought their parts from the big boys.These smaller makers generally used parts consistantly from certain makers,but daggers show up with parts from several different makers,which they didn't normaly deal with.These are the so-called 'parts' daggers.Were they made late in the war,when parts were harder to obtain,or were they made from left over parts after the war ended by employees trying to make some money to live on?Were some made by G.I.'s from parts they found in Solingen?Or were some made in the 60's(for example) by some dealers that had a lot of parts from variuos sources?Or were they made by dealers from several daggers,using the better parts,and scrapping the rest? I think all of the above.Here's a Buchel I have with a hi-lift Alcoso crossguard that I consider to be a 'parts' dagger.

Suberb looking Navy Jon!

I haven't tried to yet,but I really should!

Good eyes guys!It is a KO,forgot to mention that before.

This one is about half the size of the first one,but has the signer's address's as well.

Closer yet.

Closer.