Steve K.

Seeheld Wonderful stuff! And very difficult to find! Steve

A U.S. Marine Corps Parachutist Qualification.....nice! Steve

Pieces and parts (nuts and bolts)!

Thanks guys! The black wreath is always black. It never flakes off or is painted on...always dark black, as if the pigment is part of the zinc. I'll post a photo-merge of hinge, pin,catch,maker mark & rivets soon. One point...this is the first LW qualification badge I've owned with a steel (well rusted) pin. Unusual? Yes...but fits the evolution of Juncker badges.

Obverse.

Unqualified Air gunner badge with SW68 mark

That is a very interesting picture! I never would have imagined it true.......

Exceptionally nice!!

The 1925 Rangliste has for Bobsien: HHOX3, EK1, DA, HH, MMV1, OFA1 The SWA is a head-scratcher? Since he was "in" in 1897 - Centennial is OK. Excellent bar....

Wonderful! Stunning awards and decorations!

Jim Happily the set above went to a 740th Tankers son. After getting it and checking with the 740th Veteran's association, he was told that it was only the 5th one they know to still exist, so they are fairly rare (and it went on Ebay last year for a heafty sum). I'll post more pics of the hand stitched 740 patch and close up of the tiny armor triangle on the cap. Steve

Bob Thanks for clarifying. You're a wiser man than me! Steve

Thanks Bob This cloth patch also has the "GES. GESCH.", is this OK? Steve

Close up of patch and Cap.....

American Armor history is something that has been my focus for years. Here is a set I found with the original owner, a 740th Tank Battalion uniform set consisting of an Ike jacket, shirt, and cap plus other smaller items. The 740th Tank Battalion had the distinct pleasure of employing one of the U.S. Army?s latest tactics tested at Aberdeen Proving Grounds which was the use of large arc lamps mounted on the front of tanks or on light trucks that would accompany the tanks into battle at dusk. The lights were used to blind the enemy and allow our tanks to see the targets better during the attack. Unconventional tactics to say the least. While it seemed like a good idea on paper, in practice I think they found that it wasn't such a grand idea and I believe the tactic was never employed in battle. The 740th Tank Battalion was known as the ?Daredevils? which is seen under the unit patch in silk. Silk patches are rare on WW2 jackets, especially with the battalion level tab. The ?740' is chain stitched on the armor patch. The group also came with a nice wool shirt with an armor patch that had the ?740' hand stitched. There was also a nice armor piped garrison cap with a silk 740th Tank Battalion mini patch. Many other items came with the set, which unfortunately I had to sell but I put some pictures up with the new owner's permission because it's such a rare set.

Thanks Paul....it's larger than the other HJ patches I've seen before. I never know what I'll find in Amish country (but it's usually stuff like this). Steve

I found this last night at an old estate sale in my area.....not something I collect. It is 3.5 inches by 2 inches. What does it designate? Steve

Mark In my years of collecting, I have never seen this 'style' of Assmann (wreath and bird combination). Add in the early mark....makes it even more unique! (perhaps...singularly unique...in my book). TGIF

mmiller let mine eyes devour that beauty once again!.....perchance to trade for a few barn cats or $$$$$. Steve

To the contrary...the majority (~60-70%) of the people I have met across my tables at various shows in the U.S. know nothing about 'forums' and yet appear to be computer literate. Go figure!

You haven't seen mmiller pics shown here of his P/O...or was that just an apparition!

Here is my latest addition: A commorative badge for the 125th year of the Mecklenburg Fusilier Regiment Kaiser Wilhelm Nr. 90, part of the 34th Inf. Brigade, 17th Division of the 9th Armee Korp in WW1. This fusilier regiment traces its origins back to 1788 when Mecklenburg fielded its 3 original regiments.

Hi JTW, Ah...they are the same style rivits. Thanks for the close up shot. It appeared (to me) they were countersunk or at least flush in the first reverse pic. Thanks for clarifying (secretly I wanted them to be slightly different for uniqueness!). Observer could be out there since there is a "egg-shaped" P/O!! Steve

A rare wreath indeed!! Congrats!! There are many intersting points to make, but one that stands out the most for me are the uncharacteristic Assmann rivets.....not what I expected. Still, a heart-stopper for the 'true' Asmmann maven.

Greg, I will add close ups of that shortly. You'll love it!! Steve Here it is!!