bmsm

Cottonwood Tree information and a Cottonwood Tree in the distance still used today in Native American Rituals.Sumac is in the foreground.

Bob

Pipestone Creek Information and Lake Hiawatha.

Bob

Rock formation where Pipestone is found. This is the Spotted Pipe Quarry as the stone has impurities mixed in the stone to give it a spotted texture.

second and third pictures - Scrap piles or tailings that have to be removed to find the softer stone.

Bob

Footpath - Flora of the prairie information - Tall Grass Prairie information.

Bob

There is not a correct spot for this topic but this is probably the closest one even though it is not a military site.

My wife and I decided to take a little trip a week ago to this National Park even though it was the first of December. We have had unusually warm weather this fall so it worked out great. The land isn't colorful here in Minnesota this time of year as you will be able to see from the pictures.

I have included informational brochures from the park to help explain some of the pictures.

Bob

Left - a 2011, Ministry of Defense, large glazed badge made of brass, gilt color, 2-3/8in. wide, 3-5/16in. high and has a spring pin fastener on the reverse.

Translation above: Ministry of Defense.

Right - a 2011, Ministry of Interior / Iraqi Police, large glazed badge made of brass, silver color, 2-5/16in.wide,

3-5/16in. high and has a spring pin fastener on the reverse.

Translation above: Republic of Iraq.

Below - reverse of badge. Both have the same type of fastener.

Bob

This is a pair of 2012, Sixth Division Command, Al Muthanna, 24th Brigade Arm glazed Badges showing obverse and reverse. These badges are made of brass, glazed, 3-1/8in. wide, 3-15/16in. high and coveed with velcro on the reverse.

These badges are used in place of cloth patches on officers uniforms.

Translation above: Sixth Division Command

Below left: Al Muthanna Below right: Brigade

Below: 24

Bob

A Special Forces arm patch with a tan background. It is identical to the 2010 Special Forces Arm Patch with the black background in my book on page 28.

It is machine sewn, 3-9/16in. wide and 4-1/2in. high.

Translation below: Special Forces.

Bob

Another different design of the Iraqi Army Arm Patches with velcro on the reverse.

Bob

Thanks Bob!! Those reproductions are very good, considering. I would have definitely been tricked had I seen one at a show and did not know what you showed here...

Paul,

I'm glad the pictures helped you out. A little knowledge can save you some money so you do not end up buying a reproduction.

Bob

Thanks for posting these Bob. We don't see many Republic militaria images now that Lorenzo is no longer a member.

I recall seeing Iraqi propaganda films before the Second Gulf War with images of burly, handle-bar moustached soldiers marching to the theme of Star Wars. One of the Hussein boys was obviously a fan.

Would you know how much these original helmets are selling for these days?

Gavin

Gavin,

I noticed the last two original helmets on eBay sold for $625.00 buy now and one had 14 bids and sold for $635.00. I have seen them sell for as high as $1200.00 for a really pristine condition one.

Bob

Original chin strap catch.

Inside of both helmets.

Bob

Front side brim.

Bob

Left side and top view.

Bob

The badge on the helmet,

Translations: above - Allah (God)

Right: the country, Left: the Leader.

Original Badge. The size is 1.85in. wide and 1.24in. high.

Reproduction badge. The size is 1.74in. wide and 1.32in. high.

Bob

Here are two Iraqi Feda'yeen Helmets. One is original and one is a reproduction that was made in Italy and is sold as a reproduction.

The original helmet shells are a white or cream color painted black whereas the reproduction helmet shells are completely black.

The originals are smooth on the inside and have the complete webbing.The webbing in this helmet is a dark green with a black leather sweat band complete with sweat stains. It is my understanding that when issued, the webbing was all black and as it wore out, was replaced with black or green, whichever was available.

The reproductions are rougher on the inside,only have the U.S. suspension assembly and no sweat band.

In the following pictures, the original helmet will have an "O" with the helmet and the reproduction helmet will have a "R" with it.

First picture is the front, right side and back.

The height of original is 8-5/16in. and reproduction is 8-3/16in.

As you can see, there is not much difference in the sizes.

Bob

GC,

This is how the right and left facing eagle were worn on a set of Iraqi Shoulderboards.

Bob

Leaflets for the Iraqi Police.

The large one is 8in. x 5in. and the other is 3-9/16in. x 2-1/8in.

Both are on glossy paper and have images on the reverse.

Bob

Smaller sizes of the Task Force Lightning Leaflets.

The top one is 5-1/2in x 2-1/2in. and has writing on the reverse.

The next two are 4-11/16in. x 3-9/16in. Both of these are on glossy paper and

have no writing on the reverse.

Bob

The same leaflet in Arabic.

Bob

I have some Iraqi Psychological Leaflets used after 2003 that I would like to share with fellow mwmbers.

First off is Task Force Lightning printed in English and Arabic. The colored size of the leaflet is 8in. wide

and 5in. high.

Bob

Another Special Forces Arm Patch with the Punisher Skull behind the eagle and used after 2006.

2011/12, shield shaped arm patch with the Punisher Skull. STF = Special Task Force.

Bob

Two different Special Forces Arm Patches used after 2006 with the Punisher Skull design. Notice the misspelling on the round one without the arc.

Bob

GC,

Would you please post a better picture of the badge in the lower right corner. I believe it is a beret or visor badge for the Iraqi Police but it is hard to be sure from the picture.

Bob

Here is a Red Crescent Badge from Iraq. It was used from the 1930's - 2003 and can be found in slightly different shapes.

Bob