Douglas Jr.

Douglas,

I think Si is Eisenh?ttenwerk Schlesien in Oberschlesien. Until a while ago I always thought it was Siemens but their mark is SH.

Tony

Tony,

Thanks a lot for your reply.

Douglas.

Somewhere in Brazil's archives there must be a record of the purchase order.

Well, we have been trying but the Army files are not easy to research either. The Federal Government left Rio de Janeiro for Brasilia in 1961 and God only knows what happened with the files concerning those medals (part of the Army files stayed in Rio and other documents went to Brasilia). And in Brazil usually is careless with such old documentaton.

And, in addition, they don?t left beautiful ladies there. Only a couple of ugly guys!

Douglas.

Two other pictures...

By the way, here are some pictures of this helmet.

Douglas.

Hi folks,

I recently purchased a very nice, honest and complete M16 German steelhelmet, which is marked Si.66 - I know that the numbers refer to the shell size, but I didn?t find information about the maker (Si). Which one is this one?

All the best,

Douglas.

Thanks to both of you.

It seems that I am stuck in a dead end. However I think I should try to push a little bit further: can you send me the Director's e-mail address (by PM) ? It worth trying.

One more question: do they have any particular makers mark stamped in the medals they manufacture? Sorry, but I am not an expert on British medal makers...

Once more thanks a lot for your attention.

Douglas.

Hello folks,

I really need some help from our British members ...

Together with some fellow collectors we have been working in a research in order to classify all the medal's manufacturers of Brazilian decorations that were awarded to the Brazilian Expeditionary Force's veterans after World War Two.

For your knowledge, the Brazilian Expeditionary Force (in Portuguese: For?a Expedicion?ria Brasileira, or FEB) was the 25,300-man force formed by the Brazilian Navy, Army and Air Force that fought alongside the Allied forces in the Italian Campaign (attached to the 5th American Army) during the final stages of WWII. During eight months of the campaign, the Brazilian Expeditionary Force managed to take 20,573 Axis prisioners (two generals, 892 officers and 19,679 other ranks) and had 443 of its men KIA and more than 2,000 WIA.

In this sense, the lack of documentation from that period is our greatest obstacle and many times we have to rely on personal accounts from veterans or old collectors, which is not the best way to conduct a serious research.

One of the medals that are most intriguing is called "Sangue do Brasil" (Blood of Brazil), which was awarded to all military and civil personel that had sustained wounds in combat (similar to the American Purple Heart). A Governmental Decree introduced this medal on July 5th, 1945 and according to the "common sense" among the Brazilian collectors very few were made (some sources say only 500), although we are trying to settle the exact number. As a reference, I?m attaching below a picture of this particular decoration.

Concerning this medal, during conversation with an old collector/dealer, it was said that a British company made all "Sangue do Brasil" medals and Spink & Son was named as this one. Searching in the Internet, I found their website and sent an e-mail one month ago. No answer was received up to now...

However, as far as I could understand, Spink never manufactured any medals, as it has the antiques dealing (mainly numismatic and militaria) as its core business. Is this assumption correct?

After this brief explanation, I would like to have your help to confirm if Spink has ever produced any medal to a foreign Army, specially Brazil (and "Sangue do Brasil" medal), during the 1940s and/or 1950s. If so, it would be outstanding if any copy of documents related to such production can be provided. If it is not the case, is it possible to know if Spink has auctioned some of these medals recently?

I am looking forward for any help. Many thanks in advance for your attention and cooperation in this research.

Douglas.

Mauser HSc

Luger P.08 (DWM 1918)

Walther P-38 (AC43)

Now we are talking...

BROWNING AUTOMATIC RIFLE M1918A1

The bottom line is......the Grand Cross ranked higher than the RKs and all their add-ons, no matter how they were earned.

Hi,

I don?t know if I understood you correctly but I have seen several pictures of G?ring wearing his Grand Cross towards the end of war (including the day he surrendered to American troops in May, 1945).

Douglas.

last one

pic

another

picture

pictures

Hi folks,

I would like to present you to my Mauser HSc. This one one of the first ones made under French occupation. According to a Forum Member (Hoch Adler), the production to Wehrmacht ended in serial number around 952.000. Mine is 955.xxx and bears the "RW" French Mark and it is a matching number gun with a nice grey-greenish finish and wooden grips. OK, I know the pictures show some III Reich styuff, but you must to agree with me that such things displays nicely!

I?ll let the pictures do the talking.

Hope you enjoy it.

Douglas.

Dan,

I would like to congratulate you for such nice rig. The Navy is, by far, the rarest military Imperial Luger and neatest. The holster is the second model, which was modified to allow its use directly in the waist belt.

Amazing stuff.

Douglas.

Hi everybody,

Thanks for all the kind comments!

For those who may want to know a little bit more here is a link of a Brazilian Collector where there is some good infomration (in English) about the Brazilian WWI & WWII medals for all the military branches.

http://www.rudnei.cunha.nom.br/medalhas/en/index.html

Hope you enjoy it.

Douglas.

Medalha de Guerra (War Medal)

Awarded only to officers who took part in combat zones or in the war effort.

Campaing Medal with FEB clasp

(Medalha de Campanha da FEB)

Awarded to every soldier that went to Italy.

This one is called "Sangue do Brasil" (Brazil?s Blood) and it was the equivalent to the American Purple Heart, i.e., awarded to wounded soldiers. Most were made in England and brought to Brazil after the war. Only around 500 were produced and no replacement pieces are awarded today. A tough one to find.

Hi,

Here are some Brazilian medals from WWII. As you may know, Brazil sent a 25,000-troops force (the Brazilian Expeditionary Force - FEB) to Italy, where they fought along with the 10th US Mountain Division from October 1944 til the end of hostilities. Also, a Fighter-Bomber unit was sent, equipped with the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt.

Well, here are three medals related to the Brazilian participation in WWII.

Wishes,

Douglas.

C?mon guys! No opinions at all?