Jim P

Avery nice collection of blades you have there Mr. Hall. Jim P

Amazingly,it still hase the chin strap hooks.

back looks like something was written on it at one time.

side

Here is my M-16 german stahlhelm.Marked TE66.The liner is long gone.The shell has a coat of dark brown over top of the original feldgau,which looked like rust in the picture I bought it from.After some gentle cleaning it turned out to be paint.although ther is some rust pitting present it is a very solid helmet.I assumed that the brown was an attempt at camo as there is some dark green spots stil on it here and there.What do you guys think. Jim P

the liner

Here are the 2 world war 1 helmets I have.1st up is my M1917A1 marked for the 33rd Illinois infantry regiment (the Golden Cross)which later became a division. It has the complete liner,suspension,and chin strap.It is marked FS 29.I assume that is a makers mark,but have not been able to find out whos mark it is,Firestone maybe? Jim P

This is a picture of my small collection of German awards.Mostly Third Reich,but some Imperial with a couple of hat devices thrown in.I sold off my collection as a teenager 20 years ago and it's been a long road back. I've been building it back up over the last 2 years,wouldn't you know I was biten by the collecting bug about the same time prices started going out the roof. Jim P

The panther was IMO the best all around tank of WW2,but seeing as how alot of its advances were taken from the T-34 I would have to say it (T-34)was the most influential in future designs. Jim P

Very nice helmet Don.I missed out on his twin brother 5 years ago at an auction,I bid it up to $300,but Mr. Ron Wienand(who lives here in my town)has much deeper pockets than mine.It is very rare to come across militaria at an auction around here with out him showing up.I still go,if for no other reason than to keep him from steeling things at pennies on the dollar. Again very nice helmet. Jim P

Yes Frank, strip away the fancy sight and the fly by wire guidence and thats basicly all you have left, a panzerfaust with a kickstand HAHAHA The sight was the only thing that wasn't disposable(as we were reminded that it cost $5000 constantly)it was carried in seperate pouch on your side.After seeing the new javelin system,I understand why it superceeded it.Better warhead,more compact,and reloadable.It can also be shot in the prone position,which was impossible with the dragon. Jim P

M-47 in action

Back in 1987 I was trained to be a dragon gunner for a Bradley unit.The M-47 was a shoulder fired,wire guided,disposable,one shot,anti-tank weapon.It weighed less than 50 pounds(with the infared sight),fired a 5 inch shape charge rocket,and had a range of 1000 meters. The warhead armed at 200 feet from firing and was capable of penetrating 8feet of packed dirt,4 feet of reinforced concrete,and 13-18 inches of (steel)armor plate. I never heard much about it after getting out and figured that it was because of the TOW missle systems becoming more compact all the time.I find out now that it was because of its inability to penetrate laminated armor(such as used now on modern tanks)during desrt storm,that spelled its doom. It sure was a HOOT to fire one though.It had 64 little jets around the back of it that would fire as you tracked a moving target.You had to be careful not to move around too much or you would fire all the flight correction jets and it would stay on its last course.It was so slow that you could actually watch it go down range for what seemed like forever. The night sight(infared)is what I liked the most though.You could actually see a rabbit sitting in tall grass,a bright red bunny target LOL. Well enough of me reliving the good ole days.I hope you like it,and maybe some of you who never heard of it find it interesting. Jim P

After looking closer,the last digit is definately a 7.Still can't see the 1st digit any better.I do appreciate all the help.Thanks Don and Ronny. Jim P

I don't have my reference with me right now,but I'm not liking the over all quality of this one.I can't remember ever seeing one where the rivets are all the way through the front of the tank. Jim P

I guess it is possible that it is an old style"3" as I can only see the top half of it. I will get it out and have another look with the magnifying glass. Regards,Jim P

Nice helmet Jon,glad to see you join up over here. Regards,Jim P

The more you look at it the uglier it gets.Workmanship is too inferior for an RK,wouldn't even make a good "filler"on a display IMO. Jim P

If you are a member at MCF you may have.There was some discussion over possibly being a 107,but didn't know if they made hollow backs.After seeing the 107 hollow back here,I'm sure its not a 107. Regards, Jim P

Close up of hinge.

Makers mark

reverse;

I have noticed a lot of knowledgable wound badge collectors here and wanted to get an opinion on this black wound badge.I have taken pictures as detailed as I can get them trying to show the hinge,clasp,(pin is missing)and what is left of the makers mark.It is just under the swaz and all I can tell is the last number is a 7,there is a number in front of it and would almost have to be a 2,3,8,9,or zero. Any help is much appreciated, Jim P

That is definately a unique helmet,to me any way.I don't remember seeing that one before Joey.I love it.If you ever tire of it I know someone who will give it a good home.ME! Great looking lid Jim P

This will be the next step in my preservation of historical items,once I get the Third reich awards I'm looking for found.There are no medals in the world that match the beauty of old world enamel.So if anyone has any extra and wish to donate some,please send to:" The Jim Prewitt Historical Preservation and Research Institute" care of ME. Jim P