bratwurstdimsum

Yes they are. I am missing one myself for a helmet. Saw one at Helmut Weitze, it was around $450 I think, so i couldnt afford it. Did Tony at kaisers bunker say you could use his picture?

Tony got back to me and said they were around $500 so I've more or less given up on the bird Thanks for your reply.

BWDS,

Your helmet is marked to the 2nd Company of Eisenbahn Regiment 1. It is also dated 1901 and the roman numeral III is a garniture mark meaning that through use it has been downgraded to 3rd grade condition. Unfortunately, this helmet should have an all silver garde eagle with star and that is missing.

Very interesting, I take it the eagle then should be this one? are these eagles are rare?

Pity, but to be honest, I'm just wrapt that I have one last, I've been concentrating on 3rd reich up till now...

BTW just enhancing the pics to make it clerarer:

Hi there,

My extensive knowledge ----- > NOT :laugh:

Leads me to believe this is a Model 1895 Preu?en any ideas as to the type of unit? (ie, infanterie, cav, etc)

I just picked this up off eBay for US$490 ...opinions? :

I am posting a copy of the ebay pics here for reference.

Attachments to and cross-training with airborne units of friendly nations and allies is not at all unusual.

Its funny you should say that David, I just went downstairs and had a chat to him, Richard's his name.

When I asked:

1) what a British vet was doing with american jump wings he smiled at me and said that he had a right to wear them, it was given to him and every one of his unit by Americans, he said "121st (later 101st) Airborne had them shipped to England by the crateful",

2) about where he wore it during the war he said: "only on the Gala Uniform above my ribbons"

3) about the brass material used to make up the badge he said, "yes good brass, everything metal was melted down for the war effort",

4) why the lugs on the badge were post war, he said that these were lost and replaced over time as it was easy to do.

5) why this wasn't taken along with his uniform by the robber, he became tearful and said that he and his friend were given these from the Americans, the one I had in my hand belonged to a friend of his who stepped on a mine and died. He shipped his belongings back to his relatives and forgot to send the badge back.

So why do I believe him? He gave it to me for our friendship, I've seen his RSL photos and his belongings from the British 16th PARA division.

So given all this, is it a possibility that this was some kind of "sweetheart" wings that was made (maybe not specifically for the paras) for public relations ? There is another possibility and that he's going senile, he IS 86 but remembers locations on a map in italy like suburbs in my city and is as lucid as you or I.

Most WWII and 1950's era para badges were pin back and marked sterling.Most of the SIMCO-GI badges I've seen have been 1960s Vietnam vintage. Also check the clutch backs, WWII clutch backs have a smooth front as post war clutchs have sets of rased 'dimples" on the front edges.

It is possible that your veteran may have purchased this badge after the war if he stayed in the service.

Kevin

Thanks, no they are dimpled so post war it is, the funny thing is this guy is a BRITISH PARA (16 div) vet. So how the heck did he get US para wings?

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Greg,

any chance you could show a close up of the simco set, here is mine, a 86 year old vet gave them to me today but I've been told they are post war... I am a confused man!

Text on back = SIMCO-GI

Jeff

Any chance we can get a signed copy off you Gordon? & can we preorder ?

Jeff

Here is his autographed photo. A favorite in my collection.

Imagine my surprise (and obvious ignorance) when I saw this post yesterday and realised Herr Topp is no longer with us! I immediately corresponded to an author friend of mine who knew Topp to get the bad news - again. What a loss

Anyhow here is a small contribution, a very poiniant picture, Topp saying good bye to a friend ...

If you add them all up plus a bit more for the grouping and a bit more for the engraving, so long as you can prove the name hasn't been added recently, it comes to quite a bit.

I do hope someone else can give more advice though.

Tony

That's the hard part I guess, a dealer that I approached said he would not touch these because, not being impressed (machine stamped) like aussie medals, you can't prove that it was not a cobble-to of blank medals with engraving. His asessment of the worth would be nearly zero unfortunately.

But I'm looking for more opinions!!!! The item was still there last week.

Jeff

Also his de-nazified Spanish cross as he was a big player in that affair.

Chris

Oh my god that's horrible what was done to the Spanish cross!!!

Chris, was that RK the one on Detlev's site about a month ago?

Hi there,

My first real posting here.

I'm thinking about buying a grouping that belongs to a vet

Serial: 14445451

Name: TH G Williams

It is a very interesting one, the man I'm purchasing it off says the vet was a fellow in the merchant navy and the grouping is as follows:

Stars: (all stars with serial and name engraved (NOT IMPRESSED) on reverse)

39-45

France & Germany with an ATLANTIC bar

Africa with an AFRICA 42-45 bar

Burma with a PACIFIC bar

Medals: (no engravings)

Defence

War Medal with a Mentioned in dispatches leaf on the ribbon

In your learned opinions, what would this grouping be worth?

BDS

Gordon,

Beautiful pieces indeed.  I have a "26" of the Russian horde and have always thought it the most beautiful thing, probably because it was my first EK but I see your point about the curvature of the S&L.  I have an EK II by S&L but I figured comparing it to the "26" would be like apples and oranges.

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You're not alone Billy, I second the "26" nomination.