We would be glad to answer any questions about the items we offer.
      We prefer you ask by e-mail so we will have time to pull items before answering, or check with the owner if they are consignment pieces.
Click-here  to e-mail us.

If you don't have e-mail
click here for telephone contact information.

To place an order, click here.
[Note: All items guaranteed to be original as described. All items sold with three day inspection period,
and full refund (less shipping) if dissatisfied for any reason, and returned in same condition as received.]
Return to Collectors Headquarters.

Barracks, Camp, and Field Items
(Stuff not always carried into combat by the individual, but necessary for sustained operations)

21614 WW2 “SIGNAL, GROUND, AMBER STAR CLUSTER M22A1” (RIFLE GRENADE FLARE) - Identified on the yellow painted end cap by “AS” for Amber Stars, this ejects a cluster of five smaller individual free falling pyrotechnic stars. Dated March 1945, overall excellent, live signal. This is just one of many different color and burst types made. These were fired from the grenade launcher on the rifles or even the M1 carbines and would reach a height of about 600 feet. Great for display with your grenade launcher. The signal comes in the original sealed fiber shipping container. The container has some rust on one of the metal end caps, and label is a bit ratty looking, but as you can see the signal is in excellent condition. (Obviously we opened one up to take the photos, but you will get a sealed one.) This is a LIVE pyrotechnic signaling device, not an explosive, but it still needs to be stored appropriately away from heat, etc. Price for one sealed, unissued Amber Star signal $75.00 (View Picture)

21603 LOT OF TWO DIFFERENT TYPE WW2 GREEN RIFLE GRENADE SIGNALS - One is the “Signal, Ground, green star, parachute, M19A1” and the other is the “Signal, ground, green star cluster, M20A1.” The former, identified on the end cap by “GP” for Green Parachute, has a single green pyrotechnic star that descends slowly under a parachute. The latter, identified on the end cap by “GS” for Green Stars, ejects a cluster of five smaller individual free falling pyrotechnic stars. Both are dated 1944, and are in excellent plus condition. These are live pyrotechnic signals, and come without the fiber shipping containers. These were fired from the rifle grenade launcher on the rifles or M1 Carbines. Special package price for one of each, total two signals $125.00 (View Picture)

21568 RIFLE GRENADE FLARE “SIGNAL, GROUND, GREEN PARACHUTE M19A1”- MINT! - Dated 1955, these are identical to those issued during WW2 except for the dates on the signal and shipping tube. These were also used in Vietnam with the M14 and the M76 grenade launcher as well, but the 7.62mm Grenade Launching Cartridges, M64 were issued separately. This is a mint unissued signal in the original sealed fiber shipping container. We opened one up so you can see the superb condition. These are used for signaling (e.g.- friendly forces location, time to attack, direction of enemy, etc). These are fired from a rifle grenade launcher to about 600 foot altitude. Then it ejects a single parachute-suspended star which will fall at a slow rate, providing illumination at night, as well as day or night signaling. Great addition to a display of Garand or Carbine grenade launchers or Vietnam era gear. These were used from WW2 until at least Vietnam era. This is a LIVE pyrotechnic signaling device, not an explosive, but it still needs to be stored appropriately away from heat, etc. Price for one mint unissued signal $45.00 (View Picture)

21566 RIFLE GRENADE FLARE “SIGNAL, GROUND, GREEN PARACHUTE M19A1”- MINT! (LOT OF NINE) - Dated 1955, these are identical to those issued during WW2 except for the dates on the signal and shipping tube. These were also used in Vietnam with the M14 and the M76 grenade launcher as well, but the 7.62mm Grenade Launching Cartridges, M64 were issued separately. This is a mint unissued signal in the original sealed fiber shipping container. We opened one up so you can see the superb condition. These are used for signaling (e.g.- friendly forces location, time to attack, direction of enemy, etc). These are fired from a rifle grenade launcher to about 600 foot altitude. Then it ejects a single parachute-suspended star which will fall at a slow rate, providing illumination at night, as well as day or night signaling. Great addition to a display of Garand or Carbine grenade launchers or Vietnam era gear. These were used from WW2 until at least Vietnam era. This is a LIVE pyrotechnic signaling device, not an explosive, but it still needs to be stored appropriately away from heat, etc. Price for a lot of NINE signals $325.00 (View Picture)

21562 RARE- FULL SEALED CRATE OF 30 RIFLE GRENADE FLARES “SIGNAL, GROUND, GREEN PARACHUTE M19A1” - Dated 1955, these are identical to those issued during WW2 except for the dates on the signals, shipping tubes and the crate. These were also used in Vietnam with the M14 and the M76 grenade launcher as well, but the 7.62mm Grenade Launching Cartridges, M64 were issued separately. This crate is in like new condition and comes with two cans of M3 Grenade Launching cartridges for the M1 Garand. This is a chance of a lifetime for the Collector to have an original full sealed crate full, never issued. Or be a barbarian and open it up and fire them off on New Years or 4th of July, or for reenactments. Or sell them off individually and make a few bucks. Photo shows a crate we opened for inspection, but yours will still have the steel strapping and intact ordnance department security seal. Price for on original crate with 30 signals and two mini-spam cans of launching cartridges. Shipping weight about $750.00 (View Picture)

21510 10- SCARCE WW2 U.S. NAVY 37MM SIGNAL CARTRIDGES, TWO-STAR, (WITH TRACER), MARK IV (SEALED BOX OF 10) - Used for identification by aircraft or signaling, and usually fired from the AN-M8 Pyrotechnic (flare) pistol. This signal is similar in appearance and functioning to the Signals, Aircraft, AN-M53 to AN-M58 series. The color of the stars is indicated on the cartridge case by two wide bands near the paper end of the case ; a narrow band indicates the color of the tracer. The names of the colors of the stars and the tracer are printed on the paper closing wad. Information for identifying the signal cartridge is printed on the cartridge case. After the primer is hit by the firing pin, igniting the propelling charge, the inner container is propelled from the barrel of the projector, and the tracer is ignited by the propelling charge. The tracer becomes visible after traveling about 20 feet, and burns for about four seconds, then ignites the bursting charge and the two stars within the inner container. In effect, upon leaving the barrel of the projector, the tracer appears as a single star and rises to a height of about 250 feet when fired from the ground ; at this point, the star separates into two stars, which fall separately. The tracer and stars can be seen about five miles at night, and about two or three miles in daylight. These were made in six different variations: (1) Red-red with red tracer; (2) Green-green with red tracer; (3) Red-red with green tracer; (4) Red-yellow with yellow tracer; (5) Red-green with red tracer; and (6) Red-green with green tracer. All of these are pretty scarce, and I was totally unfamiliar with them until we recently found an old stash of them. This is the green tracer with red and green stars, made in April 1944 by International Flare and Signal Division of Kilgore. (Sorry, no other color variations available.) Perfect condition, fresh from a sealed box, live, ready to signal your distress. We have a sealed box of ten rounds for $250.00 (View Picture)

21443 -FLARE PISTOL SIGNAL FLARE CARRYING CASE TYPE A-6 DRAWING NUMBER 42 G 119967 - Mint unissued, zippered OD canvas case with internal loops to hold 12 assorted flares. Various color flares would be used for signaling in flight or on return to base. These were used with the 37mm AN/M8 flare pistols, and the male stud for lift the dot fasteners would snap into flaps located in the aircraft, probably next to the firing port. Markings are as shown in the photo $12.00 (View Picture)

21425 FLARE PISTOL SIGNAL FLARE CARRYING CASE TYPE A-6 DRAWING NUMBER 42 G 119967 - Mint unissued, zippered OD canvas case with internal loops to hold 12 assorted flares. Various color flares would be used for signaling in flight or on return to base. These were used with the 37mm AN/M8 flare pistols, and the male stud for lift the dot fasteners would snap into flaps located in the aircraft, probably next to the firing port. Markings are as shown in the photo $12.00 (View Picture)

21274 10 LINK, BELT, METALLIC, CAL .50 M9 - Full mint box of 10 links for the Browning .50 caliber machine guns. New old stock, fresh from a sealed crate. SPECIAL- 10 boxes total 100 links for $40.00, or a single box of 10 links for only $5.00 (View Picture)

21158 CHARGER, GUN, .50 CALIBER, PNEUMATIC TYPE H-50A - Part number 870246 made by Walter Kidde company. Used to cycle the .50 caliber Browning machine guns in aircraft in flight. Perfect for restoring that old WW2 fighter you have in the back barn…. $65.00 (View Picture)

20845 SCARCE WW2 BARRACKS BAG 74-B-50-10 (NICE!) - Prior to WW2, the blue denim M1929 Barracks Bag with a cotton rope drawstring was used to store or haul a soldiers excess clothing and gear, often two bags per man, marked A and B and stenciled with their name and service number. In 1942 the blue denim bag was replaced with the Bag, Barracks 74-B-50-10 made in the greenish khaki OD3 shade. This example retains the QM depot tag with what looks like 1943 date. No other markings so we believe it is unissued, although it has picked up some dirt and soiling over the years, so say near excellent condition. In 1943 the Barracks Bags were declared obsolete and replaced by the “Duffle Bag” which remains in use today. We have had dozens of duffle bags, but this is the ONLY barracks bag we have ever encountered. Neat item for an early WW2 era collection. $30.00 (View Picture)

20783 U.S. WW2 .30 CALIBER AMMO CAN M1 - Made by Crown. Overall excellent. Same OD color on all sides- photo makes one side look sort of brown. (View Picture)

20600 WW2 ,50 CALBER AMMO CAN- AP! - Side opening style. About 98% paint remains, with just normal wear on edges. Markings as shown in the photo, stenciled to show used with 105 rounds .50 Armor Piercing Incendiary cartridges in metal links. A really nice example. Good WW2 cans are getting very hard to find. $45.00 (View Picture)

20599 WW2 .50 CALBER AMMO CAN- AP (11-44 DATED!) - Side opening style. About 98% paint remains, with just normal wear on edges. Markings as shown in the photo, stenciled to show used with 105 rounds .50 Armor Piercing cartridges in metal links. This is the only can I have seen with an actual WW2 date marked on it. A really nice example. Good WW2 cans are getting very hard to find. $65.00 (View Picture)

20318 250 ROUND BELT FOR M1917 OR 1919 .30 CALIBER BROWNING MACHINE GUN - WHITE- DOUBLE TAB - .30 caliber, Cloth Belt, 250 rounds. Browning designed the web belt back in the early days of his machine gun inventing, and they remained in used until replaced by the disintegrating metal links, at first only for aircraft use, but by the end of WW2 the links were preferred for all uses. The early belts were made with metal “starter tabs” on both ends, but as economy move the tab was eliminated from the 250 count end since it serve no real purpose there, other than making it possible to load the belts from either end when filling them, but once loaded into the wooden box or metal ammo can, only the “0” or starting end of the belt was accessible. This example is the earlier type white cotton belt with metal tabs on both ends. We did not unroll it to check for makers marks or dates. Gently used and great for display or ready for use again. No sales to CA; HI; South Bend, IN; Wichita, KS; MD; NJ; NY; D.C.; MA, or other places run by idiots with “high capacity” bans. $65.00 (View Picture)

20316 250 ROUND BELT FOR M1917 OR 1919 .30 CALIBER BROWNING MACHINE GUN - WHITE- 1943 DATED - .30 caliber, Cloth Belt, 250 rounds. Browning designed the web belt back in the early days of his machine gun inventing, and they remained in used until replaced by the disintegrating metal links, at first only for aircraft use, but by the end of WW2 the links were preferred for all uses. The early belts were made with metal “starter tabs” on both ends, but as economy move the tab was eliminated from the 250 count end since it serve no real purpose there, other than making it possible to load the belts from either end when filling them, but once loaded into the wooden box or metal ammo can, only the “0” or starting end of the belt was accessible. This example is the later type white cotton belt with metal tabs on only the start end. Appears to be mint unissued with good maker marks and 1943 date. No sales to CA; HI; South Bend, IN; Wichita, KS; MD; NJ; NY; D.C.; MA, or other places run by idiots with “high capacity” bans. $55.00 (View Picture)

20312 250 ROUND BELT FOR M1917 OR 1919 .30 CALIBER BROWNING MACHINE GUN - OD COLOR - .30 caliber, Cloth Belt, 250 rounds. Browning designed the web belt back in the early days of his machine gun inventing, and they remained in used until replaced by the disintegrating metal links, at first only for aircraft use, but by the end of WW2 the links were preferred for all uses. The early belts were made with metal “starter tabs” on both ends, but as economy move the tab was eliminated from the 250 count end since it serve no real purpose there, other than making it possible to load the belts from either end when filling them, but once loaded into the wooden box or metal ammo can, only the “0” or starting end of the belt was accessible. This example is the late war type OD cotton belt with metal tabs on only the start end. Excellent condition. Have several and one we pulled for photos is marked as shown, but not sure if all have the same marks. No sales to CA; HI; South Bend, IN; Wichita, KS; MD; NJ; NY; D.C.; MA, or other places run by idiots with “high capacity” bans. $55.00 (View Picture)

20232 U.S. military 1 gallon canvas bucket - OD canvas sewn to form a container with handle. Not marked anywhere, so possibly not GI, but certainly very close to the type used from the 1930s to date. Mint unissued. $10.00 (View Picture)

20231 WW2 .30 caliber ammo can - Excellent condition with about 98% of old (original?) OD paint finish. No stencil markings. Rubber gasket in the lid has deteriorated and flaked away like most of the WW2 cans. Getting hard to find any more. $25.00 (View Picture)

20132 U.S. WW2 M70D TELESCOPE SIGHT FOR M5 LIGHT TANK OR M8 ARMORED CAR WITH 37mm GUN - The M70 telescopes were used for direct fire of the guns in various armored vehicles. There are at least seven different variations (as designated by the letter suffix). These differ only in the sight reticule pattern appropriate for the gun and range appropriate to the vehicle. Externally and visually they are all identical, so this may be a great filler for your vehicle restoration. The M70D was the version for the M5 Light Tand or the M8 Armored car, both of which had the 37mm Gun, M6 and they were graduated for the M51 AP projectiles out to 1,600 yards. Visually this is a good condition example, with the eyeshield in excellent condition, but some scrapes and flaking on the outside of the scope tube. Optics are good, but the cement in the lenses or reticule is deteriorating so it looks like a greasy bubbling surface instead of clear bright crosshairs. No apparent damage to the lenses. Not everyone needs one of these, but a lot of people have restored military vehicles and can use this. (Other variations were for the 75mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M8 (Priest??). the M4 tanks with either 75mm or 105mm guns, Medium Tank T25E1 and T25E1, and the 3” Gun motor carriage M10A1.) $125.00 (View Picture)

20038 U.S. MODEL 1944 WOOL SLEEPING BAG - (Lewis, Doughboy to GI, page 227) Starting in 1942 the Army began to get away from issuing everyone two blankets for field use, and instead started using these wool sleeping bags. The early ones like this had a zipper that went about a third of the way down, but by the end of WW2 they were using a full length zipper. These could be used as is, or with a cotton sheet type insert, and/or a poplin outer cover to provide some wind and rain protection. This is the woolen bag only, in used near excellent condition. One hole about 3/8” diameter near the zipper that is probably a cigarette burn, but no moth damage at all that we noted. Hard to find WW2 combat equipment item. $50.00 (View Picture)

19836 Lot of 3 WW2 San Francisco Call-Bulletin newspapers - This is a lot of three original WW2 newspaper filled with war news and local news. Just looking at the headlines it is shockingly clear the difference between 1941-45 when the news media was proud to be apart of the allied team working for victory, and today when much of the news media seems to be seeking to defeat America while we are at war. (1) April 10, 1942 when the war was not going well. Corregidor was about to fall but LT John D. Bulkley’s heroic PT boat attack on a Jap cruiser in Manila was a ray of hope (he earned the Medal of Honor for that!) A British carrier was lost. (2) November 22, 1943- The allies are on offense, with the battle of Tarawa on the front page, along with slogging away in Italy, and the Russians on the Eastern front. (3) April 15, 1944- Allied victories are piling up and the war is moving deeper into enemy territory. The bombing raids on oil fields at Polesti in Romania are reported. Besides the war headlines mentioned above, they also have local news, and each issue is about 10-12 pages. Each issue is neatly mounted in a separate plastic bag with all three suspended from a pair of wooden strips across the top with a hook for hanging for display. Paper is yellowed, but seems to be in pretty good shape, not crumbling to dust. The lot of three papers for only $35.00 (View Picture)

19835 March 5. 1943 San Francisco Call- Bulletin Newspaper - Original WW2 newspaper filled with war news and local news. Just looking at the headlines it is shockingly clear the difference between 1941-45 when the news media was proud to be apart of the allied team working for victory, and today when much of the news media seems to be seeking to defeat America while we are at war. Headlines touch on North Africa campaign, and war in the Pacific, plus local news. About 10 pages total in this issue. Neatly mounted in a plastic bag suspended from a pair of wooden strips across the top with a hook for hanging for display. Paper is yellowed, but seems to be in pretty good shape, not crumbling to dust. $15.00 (View Picture)

19686 U.S. ARMY WW2 OD WOOL BLANKET - One of the nicest examples we have seen in recent years. This one seems to be free of any moth damage, and has the label intact, although the markings are totally illegible. Every soldier carried one of these in his pack. This is the style adopted in the mid-1930s with no colored stripes or US marking, just the manufacturer’s label by one of the corners. The WW2 era blankets are a mustard-type OD and post war blankets tended to be darker. A really nice example! $55.00 (View Picture)

19263 WW2 5 ROUND STEEL STRIPPER CLIPS FOR M1903, M1917 AND BAR (LOT OF 12) - .30-06 ammunition for the M1903, 1903A3, and M1917 rifles and the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) was issued in five round stripper clips, packed 12 to a bandoleer (total of 60 rounds). During WW1 the clips ere made from brass, but during WW2 they used steel for the clips (with either steel or brass spring). These were intended as one time use items to be thrown away after stripping their five rounds into the rifle. These are used VG-fine condition, but most will have one of the tiny metal tabs at the end of the spring broken off (and a dw may have them broken at both ends). It is easy to make the clips function well again by slightly pinching the ends of the clip with a pair of pliers to provide enough tension to kep the rounds from slipping out accidentally. This is a lot of 12 WW2 steel five round stripper clips, enough to refill one bandoleer. $18.00 (View Picture)

19102 WW2 .50 CALIBER AMMO CAN- AP - Side opening style. About 95% paint remains, with just normal wear on edges. Markings as shown in the photo, restenciled to show used with 105 rounds of .50 Armor Piercing cartridges in metal links. Stenciled side has a lot of think yellow paint smeared around which may clean off with some thinner and elbow grease, or maybe not. Remnants of a paper label glued on one end. A nice example after it gets cleaned up a bit. $22.00 (View Picture)

19101 WW2 .50 CALIBER AMMO CAN -AP - Side opening style. About 98% paint remains, with just normal wear on edges. Markings as shown in the photo, restenciled to show used with 105 rounds .50 Armor Piercing cartridges in metal links. A really nice example. $27.00 (View Picture)

19100 WW2 .50 CALIBER AMMO CAN - TRACER - Side opening style. About 95% paint remains, with just normal wear on edges. Markings as shown in the photo, restenciled to show used with 105 rounds .50 Tracer cartridges in metal links. Other side stenciled “NOT FOR USE FOR OVERHEAD FIRING” which was a restriction placed on some ammunition as it aged and the chances of “short rounds” increased, making it okay for use, but not firing over friendly forces. A nice example. $25.00 (View Picture)

19121 U.S. GUNNER'S QUADRANT, M1 WITH UNUSUAL M56 CARRYING CASE (MINT!) - Precision instrument to set the desired degree of elevation for artillery (or even heavy machine guns for indirect fire). This is the M1 version as used in WW2 and Korea, and is dated 1943 on the label plate. The wooden carrying case is a type I had never seen before, made of two pieces of plywood with a wooden core spacer. One piece is hinged at one end with two latches at the other end. Stencil marked on front in blue gray paint- Case, Carrying M56. Probably a wartime substitute design expedient adopted to conserve strategic materials or manufacturers making more essential leather goods. Mint unissued condition- both the case and the quadrant, probably the nicest we have ever had. $195.00 (View Picture)

18495 U.S. Rifle Grenade “Signal, Ground, Amber Star, Parachute M21A1” (open) - Dated November or December 1944, or January 1945. These were used for signaling from one ground unit to another or to supporting aircraft, etc. These can be fired from any of the standard grenade launchers, and the grenade launching cartridge ignites a propelling charge in the rear tube of the signal which acts as a rocket to gain a height of about 600 feet. At 5.5 seconds after launching, the parachute star will eject and burn for 20-30 seconds. Colored signals were more for signally, but they did provide some illumination. The white signals were mainly to illuminate the battlefield, a difficult problem in the days before night vision devices. We have several, but these are being sold individually. These are from opened containers that still have the original labels on them, and contents are in condition shown in the photo. Great for display with any rifle grenade launcher. This is a live signal and needs to handled accordingly, but there are no explosive components, just pyrotechnic materials. Price per open tube with amber star signal. $49.00 (View Picture)

18490 U.S. Rifle Grenade “Signal, Ground, Amber Star, Parachute M21A1” (sealed) - Dated October or December 1944. These were used for signaling from one ground unit to another or to supporting aircraft, etc. These can be fired from any of the standard grenade launchers, and the grenade launching cartridge ignites a propelling charge in the rear tube of the signal which acts as a rocket to gain a height of about 600 feet. At 5.5 seconds after launching, the parachute star will eject and burn for 20-30 seconds. Colored signals were more for signally, but they did provide some illumination. The white signals were mainly to illuminate the battlefield, a difficult problem in the days before night vision devices. We have several, but these are being sold individually. Still in sealed shipping container so exact condition unknown, but we show a sample that came from a similar container that was already open. Great for display with any rifle grenade launcher. This is a live signal and needs to handled accordingly, but there are no explosive components, just pyrotechnic materials. Price per sealed tube with amber star signal. $55.00 (View Picture)

18483 U.S. ARMY WW2 SKI WAX FOR MOUNTAIN TROOPS - Original full tube of ski wax with Army Quartermaster contract info. This was used by elite Army Mountain troops, such as the 10th Mountain Division. Nice addition to a display. $10.00 (View Picture)

18392 SUPERB EARLY WW2 PUP TENT (COMPLETE!) - (Doughboy to GI page 224)  This is the complete “pup tent” or sometimes called a “dog tent” but officially it is a pair of “Shelter Halves” with the necessary ten wooden tent pegs and two tent poles (composed of three sections each).   Each soldier carried a single shelter half and 5 pegs, a pole and a guy rope.  They would pair up and be able to assemble the complete tent.  This is the early type, with each shelter half made of a khaki duck type material, consisting of a rectangle with a triangle attached to one end. In late 1942or early 1943 the design was changed to an OD material and the triangular flap was added to both ends for better protection in harsh climates. 
This is virtually the same design tent as used in WW1, except that prior to WW2 they used a “starburst” type button, and the WW2 version used a flat metal button with a black finish.  Later in WW2 they switched to male/female snaps and that double ended design with snaps remained in use until around 2004.
The later double end tents are common and cheap, but this early type is very scarce, especially with any condition at all.  This one is very lightly used, with no damage or repairs.  One section is marked US/74-T-100 [a supply stock number?], and has only one small stain about 1.5” diameter that looks like bore cleaner, but no maker marking that we could find.  The other section is marked US, and also HETTRICK MFG CO/1943.  This section has a small stain (maybe 2-3 inch diameter) and three small black spots, and several small rust stains.  The black finished buttons and white cotton loops are in excellent condition.  The poles are the regulation three piece type used during WW2 and are in unissued condition with clear maker name and 1945 date.  The ten wooden tent pegs are also mint unissued.  This does NOT have the two cotton guy ropes which go between the tops of the poles and a peg about 5 feet to the front or rear of the tent to hold the poles straight.  Very hard to find a nice pair of the early shelter halves with the poles and pegs in great condition. $195.00 (View Picture)

18177 U.S. NAVY WW2 INFLATABLE "MAE WEST" LIFE PRESERVER- GRAY- NICE! 1945 DATED - This is the inflatable rubber vest worn by sailors and officers during WW2. This one is gray (some were yellow) and has 1945 date as well as the maker in the stenciled markings. This is the best condition of the handful of these we have encountered over the years. The rubber is nice a flexible, not stiff or dry rotted. The two “pull to inflate” mechanisms which used CO2 “Sparklet” cylinders, are in great shape, although the cylinders are long gone. The manual inflation tubes and valves are great as well. Sold as collector item only, and certainly not suitable for actual use. Great for a WW2 aviation collection, as this style was worn by aviators, and I believe also by submariners and other personnel in tight spaces who could not wear the usual bulky kapok life jackets. $125.00 (View Picture)

18149 M1 GARAND CLIP OF 8 CARTRIDGES, INCENDIARY, CALIBER .30 M1 (BLUE TIPS) - Made at Denver Ordnance Plant in 1942 with headstamp DEN 42. Authorized for use in rifles, but really not very widely used and left mainly for machine gun use. However, rifle collectors like to show the different types of ammo used in them should have a clip for display. Full clip of nice clean ammo. $30.00 (View Picture)

18130 M1903/1903A3 CLIP OF 5 CARTRIDGES, INCENDIARY, CALIBER .30 M1 (BLUE TIPS) - Made at Denver Ordnance Plant in 1942 with headstamp DEN 42. Authorized for use in rifles, but really not very widely used and left mainly for machine gun use. However, rifle collectors like to show the different types of ammo used in them should have a clip for display. Full clip of nice clean ammo. Clip may be brass or steel depending on what is on hand. $20.00 (View Picture)

17591 U.S. Navy WW2 .50 caliber Aircraft Ammunition Box Mark V - Made by Bell Aircraft Corp in 19?? for use is some sort of aircraft. Not sure if this is for a flex mounted waist gun in a PBY Catalina or similar, or if it fit in the wing for a fixed gun. Looks like it would hold about 80-100 rounds. Web strap allows it to be easily picked up and put in position. There is an outside knob connected to an inside sprocket, probably to help feed the first rounds into the feed tray. Some surface rust but not really pitted or anything. Neat conversation piece, or essential to keep your old warbird combat ready. $55.00 (View Picture)

16377 U.S. Army Early WW2 Shelter Half “Pup Tent” - Lightweight khaki duck with the old fashioned button and button hole method of attaching two sections together. The buttons on this one are the flat top type with a black finish, not the WW1 style with the “starburst” design. Good sharp US stencil in the center. Traces of illegible maker mark stamped on the back. Some minor period repairs to a couple of button holes and a button replaced. Some minor dirt and stains, but nothing terrible. Has the white cotton rope loops for the wooden tent pegs. Does not have the correct long rope. This is the type shelter half that is open on one end, not the later double ended variety. We have had lots of the later style tents and even use some for drop cloths when painting. However, the WW2 shelter half is pretty hard to find any more, in any condition. We may have some of the later three piece tent poles and wooden tent pegs listed elsewhere on the page, but none included with this- one section shelter half. $65.00 (View Picture)

15977 WW2 ERA U.S. ARMY AIR FORCE “AIR WEATHER SERVICE” OBSERVER ARMBAND - Back before satellite weather and automated weather stations, weather prediction was even less reliable than now, and was almost “weather reports” instead of prediction. To gather sufficient information to be useful to pilots at the hundreds of airfields across the U.S. where crews were being trained, it was necessary to augment the small number of professional meteorologists with thousands of observers all over the country. They would regularly report in the current conditions- temperature, wind direction and velocity, precipitation, etc by radio to their assigned commands. The civilians doing this apparently we mainly volunteers, and received little to compensate them for their service to the war effort. However, they were given official armbands to show they were official, and these were treasured souvenirs. This one is in about perfect condition with crisp machine embroidered details on a blue felt band about 17” x 4”. A nice addition to any WW2 aviation themed display. $15.00 (View Picture)

15896 U.S. ARMY M1934 WOOL BLANKET WW2-KOREA - The familiar typical WW2 OD wool blanket. Only thing unusual is the condition which appears about mint unissued, and the fact that it still has the original Quartermaster Department label. Although some early labels were sewn in place, and then faded during repeated washings, later ones had the labels glued on and they became detached very quickly so that few survive. This one has a beautiful label with January 1951 contract date. There are a few minor moth holes in scattered places picked up over the years, but overall about as close to a mint unissued blanket as you will find anymore. $85.00 (View Picture)

3321 U.S. Military Sewing Kit - OD cotton case about 5" x 10" which folds up to 3" x 5". Contains scissors, thimble, assorted thread, needles, safety pins. New old stock, but some light surface rust on scissors and needles. Believe these are WW2, but may be Korean vintage. $18.00 (View Picture)

15736 BROWNING MACHINE GUN BELT LOADING MACHINE (EARLY) - This is a VERY early example, not the scarce WW2 production which used all cast iron/steel parts, or the even scarcer Model 1918 Belt Loading machine which was very similar to this one with the attractive brass parts. The M1918 used three needles stacked together to hold the belt in position, while this is earlier than that using a single needle instead of the deep cut for three needles. This one is totally unmarked except for the letter “A” cast into the bottom of the main body of the machine. I believe it is actually the Model 1898 machine made for use with the M1895 “Potato Digger” machine guns. Overall excellent condition except for some pitting on the flat guide plate for the belt leading to the star wheels. Most of the black paint remains on the main part of the machine. It needs a good cleaning to get rid of decades worth of accumulated dirt and greasy crud. Missing the guide strip which fits into the top to feed cartridges into the brass hopper, but that should be the same as used on the later machines. This came off U.S. Navy ships being scrapped in the 1960s, and is not some foreign contract. No box or anything else, what you see is what you get. Besides being very collectable, these are incredibly handy machines for actually loading the cloth belts for the M1895, 1917 or 1919 .30 caliber belt fed Browning machine guns. $950.00 (View Picture)

13646 WW2 PRIVATE PURCHASE "MONEY BELT" - Perhaps for WACs, or maybe for all troops. Khaki clot construction with covered buttons and an adjustable belt. Good for carrying cash when out on liberty in a seedy section of town, or anywhere in France. $7.00 (View Picture)

12816 Army medical Blanket- 1944 dated - White wool blanket with red stripes near the ends. Marked in the center M.D. over U.S. Army and date 1944 at one end. Type used in hospitals and perhaps in ambulances. Overall VG condition with a couple of small (palm size) stains that may come out with dry cleaning, or maybe not) and several moth or insect nips but not holes. Nice addition to a WW2 medical collection, or perhaps to go in a restored military ambulance. $49.00 (View Picture)

12545 WW2 MILITARY MOSQUITO NET - Not sure of the exact nomenclature on this, but clearly a WW2 era GI item. Only marks I could find were contract info stamped on one corner which included 3/27/42 date and SPEC 6-38C TYPE I, STOCK NO 27-B-348. Khaki cotton construction and large enough to cover a bed, or cot or sleeping bag when opened up. Other than a hot meal, hot shower or hot blonde, one of the most coveted items in the Pacific was a good mosquito net. You can lay awake all night wishing you had one in your collection, or get this one now- the only one we have found in years (mosquito net, that is). $49.00 (View Picture)

10002 ORIGINAL WW2 MILITARY TRUCK MANUAL (CCKW) TM 10-1501 - Maintenance Manual, 2 1/2 ton 6x6 US Army Model CCKW 352 and 353, General Motors, dated 1941. Shows a fair amount of sue with some dirt and stains on the covers and edges but contents good and legible. Corners a bit dog eared but a good sound copy for use or display. A great item to display with a WW2 collection as virtually every type unit had some connection with the ubiquitous "deuce and a half". If you are restoring one of these, this will be a life saver as it has details on how to do just about anything needed to "keep 'em rolling". These were the good old days when even a klutz could work on vehicles and get them working, just like the old Volkswagens (I kept mine going until 140,000 miles!) About 150 pages, I would think. This is the correct manual for USA registration number W-429270 to W457269in case you are looking for an exact match for that super sized SUV sitting in your driveway. $75.00 (View Picture)

- WW2 WIRE SERVICE NEWS- War news, sports, politics, humor, etc. Remember, the teletypes were how the vast majority of news was transmitted then. Teletypes sat in the corner banging away printing out stuff on massive rolls of yellow paper. No satellite phones, no TV, very few live radio feeds. Local radio stations and newspapers depended on the wire services and their reporters for the latest news (other than their local coverage). Very interesting time capsules of what was happening in all aspects of American life, while historians often focus on one or two really gigantic stories that unfolded over weeks or months. Here is "the rest of the story." Each package consists of one or more (usually several) lengths five to 10 feet long, neatly folded, with the stories just as they came across the wires, ready for the broadcasters of the day to "rip and read". (SPECIAL- buy two or more for $11.00 each- your choice)

Return to Collectors Headquarters.

Return to Collectors Headquarters.

Headgear- Helmets, Hats and Caps

20640 U.S. WW2 Helmet & Liner- (Front seam) - The “steel pot” is in VG condition with about 95% of the original OD paint and texturing remaining, but showing use. Number 68 is sloppily spray painted on left front. This has the “front seam” on the trim strip around the edge. Inside of the pot has a number 877E stamped in it, but meaning unknown. The liner was made by Westinghouse and is WW2 style with the eyelet in the front. Liner has an old lightweight cotton net covering, probably not GI, but sort of cool and we left it since we are not sure if it is historical treasure or some kid’s addition. In any case, it has kept the liner from getting scraped up too much and about 90-95% of the original OD paint remains. The khaki web suspension is a bit tired, and partially torn in one section. The leather sweatband is dirty and nasty looking. The khaki web chinstrap retains the hook and arrow fasteners, but is badly worn and frayed on the flexible bails. A good representative example of the WW2 “Steel Pot” with the correct period liner. $110.00 (View Picture)

20042 -U.S. Navy WW2 era “Pith Helmet” - (No, we re not lisping, these are called “pith helmets” even though the official designation is Helmet, fibre, tropical.) These are very light weight and suspended off the head sufficiently that they provide shade and some air flow for cooling and are pretty practical for use in tropical climates anywhere in the world. The are made of molded fibre material with a cloth covering. A simple sweatband inside is adjustable, so one size fits all by simply adjusting the shoestring on the sweatband. These are pretty fragile, but even with some damage, still work well. This one is marked with a Navy contract number, so it is type that would have been used by SEABEEs, or people assigned to shore duty, but probably not for shipboard use. This one has some slight crushing damage on the top of the crown and the lump at the top has a reddish (rust?) stain. No chin strap, otherwise an average, but still very presentable example. $45.00 (View Picture)

20041 U.S. Navy WW2 era “Pith Helmet” - (No, we re not lisping, these are called “pith helmets” even though the official designation is Helmet, fibre, tropical.) These are very light weight and suspended off the head sufficiently that they provide shade and some air flow for cooling and are pretty practical for use in tropical climates anywhere in the world. The are made of molded fibre material with a cloth covering. A simple sweatband inside is adjustable, so one size fits all by simply adjusting the shoestring on the sweatband. These are pretty fragile, but even with some damage, still work well. This one is marked with a Navy contract number, so it is type that would have been used by SEABEEs, or people assigned to shore duty, but probably not for shipboard use. This one is used fine plus condition with former owner name marked in the crown, and lots of other marks on the underside of the brim, presumably paces he served or visited, but they are almost impossible to decipher. No chin strap, or adjusting shoelace, otherwise a well above average example. $65.00 (View Picture)

19629 U.S. WW2 STYLE HELMET LINER - Excellent condition with old period paint job. No cracks. Good webbing, but no sweat band. Maker mark is a cross design CAPAC and 51 underneath (possibly date?). First decent loose liner we have had in ages. $55.00 (View Picture)

16678 LOT OF 3 HAT/COVERS - What you see is what you get. Two covers for a frame type hat. Khaki one has a grommet in the front for an insignia, and I think it is USMC. White one does not and may be Navy or ??. Khaki “overseas cap” has grommet on the side, so I believe it is USMC. Not sure if I have the identified correctly and no idea what size they are. Used fine to excellent. The lot for only $15.00 (View Picture)

16677 MOSQUITO HEADNET - Mosquito head net made of fine OD mesh fabric with a drawstring at the top and bottom and a stiff cloth beading in the shape of a ring to keep it opened up a bit. Used VG-fine condition. Not sure if this is military or civilian, but price is $10.00 regardless. $10.00 (View Picture

Return to Collectors Headquarters.

Miscellaneous Treasures

SMM2397 Early M1911Two-Tone Magazine. - The right magazine for early Colt 1911 pistols. Very good condition with good 2 tone colors. This is just the thing to complete an early Colt 1911. $125.00 (View Picture)

21506 WW2 U.S. ARMY HATCHET (OR HAND AXE) WITH COVER DATED 1944 - This is the type that was carried in the pouch or cover that attached to the belt, and that is included in the set. Hatchet is mint unissued, with 99+% original OD paint, and has US on the roughly forged head. Head is nice and tight on the handle, as m $95.00 (View Picture)

21505 U.S. M1938 WIRE CUTTERS AND CASE- EXCELLENT PLUS! - Cutters are excellent with clear markings U.S. HKP, 1944 and retains about 98% of the blue-black finish, and apparently never used to cut anything with traces of cosmoline around the rivets. Pouch is about mint unissued with maker name and 1942 date. An $125.00 (View Picture)

21082 BAR COMBINATION TOOL 7264450 - Mint unissued- have several, some individually packed in cosmoline, some bulkpacked in VCI wrap. Will honor requests for greasy wrapped one or clean one as supplies permit. These have two screwdriver blades, a wrench for the flash hider, and a spanner for the buffer tube cap. Neat item for any collector of modern U.S. martial arms. $10.00 (View Picture)

20817 WW2 U.S. D-DAY STYLE “COVER, WATERPROOF, RIFLE OR CARBINE” - Commonly called an invasion case as its primary purpose was for protecting weapons in amphibious landings. Drawing number was 74-C-310-41. A flexible dark green vinyl case about 10” x 56” that will slip over the rifle or carbine and then can be secured by folding the end over and securing it with tape or even a rubber band. This one is 1944 dated. (See Billy Pyle’s excellent “Ordnance Tools, Accessories & Appendages of the M1 Rifle” page 70.) Mint unissued, nice and flexible, not petrified. $20.00 (View Picture)

20712 U.S. M1 CARBINE SLING "C" TIP Olive drab - OD color webbing with the early “C” clips on the tips. Excellent plus condition, part of a small lot that came out of a military surplus sale years ago. The metal tips are all painted OD which is a bit odd, but knowing the source of these, they are guaranteed to be genuine U.S.. military issue in exactly the condition they came out of the military supply system. $95.00 (View Picture)

20480 M1936 SADDLE SCABBARD FOR M1 GARAND RIFLE- NICE! - Made by Fulton Leather Goods Company in 1943. An excellent, probably unissued, example that is still somewhat stiff. This is missing both the attaching straps to hook to a saddle, but this will display great with your M1 Garand rifle without the straps getting in the way. Similar to the M1918 scabbard for the M1903 rifle, but with the addition of a metal trough on the right to clear the operating rod handle, and use of a plug at the muzzle end. Medium brown color. These saw little actual use in WW2, but were the final saddle scabbard issued to the cavalry before they were "unhorsed" during WW2. Why get a repro when you can get an original. $150.00 (View Picture)

20284 U.S. Army artilleryman’s “Belt, Primer, M8 (D7225490)” - WW2 issue item used by gunners firing the 155mm and 8 inch guns and howitzers that used bagged propellant charges. Unlike guns with metallic cartridges having a fixed primer, the gunner needed to manually insert a primer in the breech for each time the bag type guns were fired. These were similar to a center fire rifle blank cartridge, and would fit nicely into the loops around the top of this belt. Not sure what the pockets were for, maybe a lanyard or loose primer, or something, but this is a good example of a scarce WW2 artillery item. $25.00 (View Picture)

19630 WW2 MODEL 1910 "T-HANDLE" ENTRENCHING TOOL (SHOVEL) - The “T-Handle Entrenching tool” was adopted in 1910 and remained in service until replaced by the folding type adopted in 1943. These were made during both WW1 and WW2, and we think this one is probably WW2 production, but it would suffice as a represetnative tool for WW1 as well. This one has been used and shows some dings onteh metal and a large chip on one end of the cross handle, but has been repainted all over. This may have been a GI paint job, or a later collector, but is has some worn spots her and there so it looks like a nice period paint job- not minty, but not used much either, with nearly all the paint remaining on the blade. Nicer looking than most of these we find. $95.00 (View Picture)

19363 U.S. MODEL 1943 ENTRENCHING TOOL AND M1943 COVER- 1943-44 date - Tool made by Wood and dated 1944 with 1943 dated cover. Both are in good-very good condition with about 50-60% of the original OD paint, showing honest use and some rusting on the blade. Cover is in similar condition, showing moderate use, with a few small punctures common to these when a heavy tool and cover got dropped on a rock or something. A good representative set, typical of actual GI used tools, not spiffy new stuff that was locked away for the duration. The M1943 tool had only the folding shovel blade, while the later 1944/45 vintage tool added a pick blade as well. $75.00 (View Picture)

19362 U.S. MODEL 1943 ENTRENCHING TOOL AND M1943 COVER- 1944 date - Tool made by Wood and dated 1944 with 1944 dated cover. Both are in fine-excellent condition with about 75% of the original OD paint, showing just normal wear from honest use. Cover is in similar condition, showing modest use, but no holes or bad stains. A very nice set, well above average. The M1943 tool had only the folding shovel blade, while the later 1944/45 vintage tool added a pick blade as well. $85.00 (View Picture)

19361 U.S. MODEL 1943 ENTRENCHING TOOL- 1943 dated - Tool made by Ames (Same company that has been making swords and other edged weapons and tools for the Army since the 1830s.) Dated 1943. Metal parts have been sandblasted and the whole tool repainted in the Vietnam era dark green OD shade. Still a nice example of the M1943 tool with only the folding shovel blade. (The later 1944/45 vintage tool added a pick blade as well.) Genuine U.S. military issue, not one of the junky Japanese imitations sold to gullible campers. $55.00 (View Picture)

1273 U.S. Model 1907 LEATHER SLING- 1942 DATED - This one is a bit stiff and dirty and nasty looking, but really needs a good cleaning and it will look a lot better. It has the typical WW2 steel claws, and has a very faint 1942 date but maker is illegible. These were standard issue until mid WW2 (and quite often later than that) with the M1903, M1903A3, M1917 and M1 Garand rifles, and the trench guns. $85.00 (View Picture)

18434 U.S. MODEL 1907 LEATHER SLING - WW1 vintage with most of the darkened finish on the brass claws. Leather is darkened from age and stiff with cracking. Fine for display, but none of this 80+ year old leather should be actually used for carrying or shooting. No markings visible, but a hint of their presence remains in the usual location behind the hook. WW1 slings were on hand and issued in large numbers during WW2. $75.00 (View Picture)

18322 WW1 GRENADE VEST/ WW2 Trench gun ammo vest - Mint unissued, with ten pockets with snap flaps on the front. Wide neck strap and two sets of ties to secure it around the body. (Straps and ties were rolled up and stuffed in the pockets, just as it left the factory, but removed for the photo.) These were used in WW1 for carrying hand or rifle grenades (the VB type) and there are photos showing these being worn in WW2 by troops with trench guns. This one has maker marking THE L.N. GROSS CO. $49.00 (View Picture)

18094 U.S. M1910 PICK-MATTOCK AND COVER WW2 DATED - A well above average example of the widely used tool needed for any digging more ambitious than could be achieved with the entrenching tool shovel alone. The cast steel head has the maker name (Plumb) and 1944 date cast in place and retains a lot of the original OD paint. The original wooden handle is unmarked, but retains most of its OD paint. The canvas carrier is marked V.C. Co. 1943 and is solid, but faded and has some rust stains. A nice set. $59.00 (View Picture)

17645 WW2 U.S. ISSUE “COVER, WATERPROOF, RIFLE OR CARBINE” - Commonly called an invasion case as its primary purpose was for protecting weapons in amphibious landings. Drawing number was 74-C-310-41. A flexible dark green vinyl case about 10” x 56” that will slip over the rifle or carbine and then can be secured by folding the end over and securing it with tape or even a rubber band. This one is 1944 dated. (See Billy Pyle’s excellent “Ordnance Tools, Accessories & Appendages of the M1 Rifle” page 70.) Mint unissued, nice and flexible, not petrified. $20.00 (View Picture)

17557 RARE U.S. WW2 2.36" BAZOOKA ROCKET BAG - (Doughboy to GI page 207.) Officially the Bag, Carrying, Rocket, M6 this holds three rockets in their cardboard shipping tubes, or removed from them.. The flap is secured by two snaps and there is a shoulder strap and two carrying handles attached to the back. First one of these we have EVER found, and great to go with that 2.36” bazooka you have. Mixed khaki and OD web construction. Maker name and 1945 date stamped on the inside of the flap. Overall fine condition except for a couple of rust spots. $250.00 (View Picture)

17541 U.S. M1910 "T HANDLE SHOVEL- AMES 1943 MARKED - One of the last of the M1910 "T-Handle" shovels, as these were phased out by the introduction of the M1943 Entrenching tool with the folding blade which was much less cumbersome to carry. This one retains about 10-20% of the original OD paint, and would look great if you wanted to repaint it, although we prefer to keep original finish on our collector items. No rust or pitting. Wood is in great shape. Except for the loss of paint, this is one of the nicest T-handle shovels we have seen, and one of the few with WW2 date. Coincidentally, Ames has a history of making edged weapons, and even some firearms for the U.S. military back to the 1830s, and just Ames manufactured items would be a neat collecting niche. $95.00 (View Picture)

17385 EXTRA NICE WW2 SADDLE SCABBARD FOR M1 GARAND - Sharply marked U.S. J.Q.M.D. [Jefferson Quartermaster Depot]. 1943. This has the op rod cover made of blackened brass (others were made with parkerized steel, or brown painted steel, or leather covers). Probably never issued but has picked up some scattered minor scuffs and scrapes but is not oil soaked or dry rotted, or crushed flat. Both attaching straps are missing, but excellent for display as is. One of the best of the dozens of saddle scabbards we have had over the years. $150.00 (View Picture)

17211 LOT OF 4 BANDOLEERS FOR M1 GARAND - Used excellent. Same type as used with all M1 Garand ammunition from WW2 through the end of the M1 Garand in the service. Fine for reenactors and with a bit of creative magic marker work you can make the "BLANK" less obvious. No cardboards or clips, just the empty bandoleers. $12.00 (View Picture)

17088 M1 GARAND CLIPS (12 EACH) - 12 US GI M1 Garand clips, used excellent to new condition. Enough to fill two bandoleers or one cartridge belt (with two left over) $15.00 (View Picture)

16980 U.S. NAVY WW2 "D-DAY" LIFE PRESERVER BELT, DUAL TUBE (lot of two) - (Lewis, Doughboy to GI, page 100) This two tube belt was issued to troops during amphibious landings, including Normandy on D-Day. Due to the other equipment work, a normal life jacket could not be used. These belts were intended to be worn very high on the body, about chest level. If worn at waist level, the wearer would probably drown as the midsection was kept afloat while the head would tend to be under water. These were originally a sort of gray color, but age has turned them more of a dirty brown color, and a good scrubbing may clean them up a bit. Rubber has probably dry rotted by now, so do not attempt to inflate or use in the water. One is missing the galvanized metal clamp that serves as half the buckle, but will display okay as is. Looks like August 1944 manufacture date. Survival rate on these is pretty small as we have only seen a couple of others over the years, so it is bet not to be too picky about condition. Both life belts, as shown in the photo for $149.00 (View Picture)

16882 WW2 CASUALTY IDENTIFICATION TAGS - One booklet of tags printed on cardstock, about 3" x 8" with reinforced hole at top. Places for info such as name, address, age, religion, race, sex, next of kin, where tagged, date 194_, time, diagnosis, treatment given, morphine, tourniquet etc. Booklet originally had 20 tags, but two or three missing now, probably used in training, or removed due to storage soiling. Unused, but showing age and soiling/wrinkling from storage in damp area. Grim reminder of the fact the freedom is not free. Great for display with WW2 medic/aid station items. $12.00 (View Picture)

16481 M1 GARAND CLIPS (12 EACH) - 12 US GI M1 Garand clips, used excellent to new condition. Enough to fill two bandoleers or one cartridge belt (with two left over) $15.00 (View Picture)

16222 U.S. M3 SHOULDER HOLSTER FOR .45 AUTOMATIC - WW2 issue made by Enger Kress, the largest maker of these, and as usual, not dated. Previous owner initials We inked on back behind maker marks. Someone glued an extra strip of leather over the lower portion for some unknown purpose, but it does not detract from appearance much. Nice supple leather. Snaps intact, unlike many where the male stud for the belt strap has popped loose. Overall G-VG, would be fine except for he strip of added leather. $110.00 (View Picture)

15859 WW2 KHAKI WEB .30-06 BANDOLEERS FOR M1903 OR M1 GARAND- LOT OF TWO - Early WW2 style which used printed lot cards inserted into the end pocket to identity the type of ammunition, maker and lot. After about 1943 they decided that the cheap cotton bandoleers were expendable, and just stamped the info directly on to the cloth. Each pocket had a cardboard insert to keep the bullet points from poking through the think cotton fabric. Each bandoleer has six pockets which could hold two five round clips for a total of 60 rounds when issued to troops armed with the M1903, 1917 or BAR rifles. When issued for troops with the M1 Garand, each pocket held one eight round clip for a total of 48 rounds. The normal combat issue was for troops to fill their cartridge belts (10 pockets) with ammo, and then carry two bandoleers. These bandoleers are missing the cardboard inserts. For display purposes you could clip up some ammo and fill the pockets, or you could use blocks of wood or some pieces of cardboard cut to the right size, or possibly just wad up some paper to fill the pockets. This is a lot of TWO bandoleers, used, excellent, unmarked, and in the early WW2 slightly greenish khaki color, complete with no cardboard inserts, clips or ammo. These can be sent in a padded mailer for $5.00 shipping $15.00 (View Picture)

15850 M1 GARAND, “SLING, WEB, M1” post-WW2, used excellent - The cotton web is the green OD color, and is unmarked, as are most after 1944-45. This one shows light use with some of the black paint finish worn off the “D” tip but otherwise excellent. This has the post 1945 hardware with the thick sheet metal keeper with the stiffening ridge across the back. These were used from Korea through Vietnam. $20.00 (View Picture)

15849 M1 GARAND, “SLING, WEB, M1” post-WW2, used fine-excellent cu - The cotton web is the green OD color, and is unmarked, as are most after 1944-45. This one shows some use with the black paint finish worn off the “D” tip and it looks like it was polished, but otherwise fine-excellent. This has the post 1945 hardware with the thick sheet metal keeper with the stiffening ridge across the back. These were used from Korea through Vietnam. $20.00 (View Picture)

15848 U.S. CARBINE CARRYING CASE ALTERED FOR M1903 OR M1 RIFLE - Although some people try to pass these off as some sort of rare official model, in reality they are the unofficial theater made product of some rifle-toting GIs who were envious of the carbine armed troops who had a nifty canvas case to keep their weapons from getting all dirty. The merely got themselves a carbine case, and cut the barrel end off at the tip and sewed on an extension made of whatever canvas they could find. The workmanship is usually rather crude. This is just such an example. It displays very nicely and it is not immediately obvious that the stitching holding the extension on is undone on one side. Otherwise fine to excellent, with sharp US on the outside and SHANE MFG CO/1944 on the inside. $85.00 (View Picture)

15763 EXTRA NICE WW2 SADDLE SCABBARD FOR M1 GARAND - Sharply marked “U.S./ BOYT/ 42” This has the op rod cover made of blackened brass (others were made with parkerized steel, or brown painted steel, or leather covers). Overall excellent and mostly a dark russet brown, but some lighter colored areas due to variations in leather. Has picked up scattered minor scuffs and scrapes but is not oil soaked or dry rotted, or crushed flat. Missing both the long straps for attaching to the scabbard, but excellent for display as is. A good representative example of this accessory for the M1 Garand that remained in use until the end of the Horse Cavalry in 1943, and then saw some use with vehicles. Among the best of the dozens of saddle scabbards we have had over the years, with or without the straps. $149.00 (View Picture)

15716 EXTRA NICE WW2 SADDLE SCABBARD FOR M1 GARAND - Sharply marked U.S. J.Q.M.D (Jeffersonville Quartermaster Depot) , 1943. This has the op rod cover made of parkerized steel (others were made with blackened brass, or brown painted steel, or leather covers). Overall excellent and mostly a dark russett brown, but some ligher colored areas due to variations in leather. Has picked up scattered minor scuffs and scrapes but is not oil soaked or dry rotted, or crushed flat. Both attaching straps are present, although the large snap hooks to attache to the saddle are missing, but excellent for display as is. A good representative example of this accessory for the M1 Garand that remained in use until the end of the Horse Cavalry in 1943, and then saw some use with vehicles. Among the best of the dozens of saddle scabbards we have had over the years, and hard to find with the straps. $195.00 (View Picture)

15424 U.S. ARMY 7 X 50 BINOCULARS M15A1 MADE IN WORLD WAR 2 - Serial number 23830. Made by Westinghouse as part of an order for 12,000 in 1944. (Note- while the nomenclature is molded in, these were not marked as to maker, but Westinghouse is the only firm that made the M15 or M15A1 binoculars.) Top quality and ruggedly made to withstand decades of hard use by troops in the field, or aboard ships by lookouts, gun crews, the Officers of the Deck, skippers, etc. These were made in many Models/Marks and Mods, with the differences mainly in different types of grid reticules for special purposes, or minor manufacturing differences by different makers. This pair has excellent, bright, clear optics and will give years of use, as well as being a good collector item. About 90-95% of the black finish remains on the metal parts and the leather covering is in excellent condition. Complete with original woven nylon neck strap. $135.00 (View Picture)

15366 WW2 era Dressing, First Aid, Large 11 ¾ inches square, in original box - Overall good despite some water staining on the box and some of the corners of the box being a bit dog eared. The small individual first aid kit bandages are quite common, but the larger items found in kits carried by medics or medical units are not seen very often. $12.00 (View Picture)

15042 U.S. Army early Mine Detector AN/PRS-1 (1944) - The most familiar WW2 mine detector was the SCR-625 that looked like a dinner plate on the end of a long pole, and these are seen fairly often. However we have the “other” mine detector that was used in WW2, the AN/PRS-1 which like the SCR-625 had a long pole handle and a shoulder pack power supply and battery, but the sensor at the end of the pole looked like and oversize beer can with two pairs of thin rods sticking out on the left and right sides of the can. Despite some technical advantages over the SCR-625 in terms of types of mines which could be detected, the AN/PRS-1 was notoriously difficult to keep operating, and it was soon made obsolete and most were scrapped. This one comes in the original footlocker size shipping chest and appears to be nearly complete. I know it is missing the manuals (TM11-1151, Detector Set AN/PRS-1, 52 pages) and a radio type headset for the operator to hear the beep as the detector passes over a mine. I am positive that this unit no longer works. The cylindrical head assembly shows some very bad corrosion and exfoliation which is unsightly and could be cleaned up or made to look pretty with a little Bondo work and OD spray paint. There is one chip out of the Bakelite ring around the head, but the piece is included and can be epoxied back in place. One of the battery connector plugs has pulled loose, but it is present and ready of an easy repair. One electrical cord (I think the one that had a jack for the headset) has been cut off. The canvas backpack for carrying the power supply and batteries is included but has some acid holes in the top which could be covered over with a piece of canvas for better appearance. (I will include the four old batteries that were in it when we found it, totally worthless for use, but maybe you can use the connectors to adapt to something else?) The carrying chest (10” x 15” x 28”) is in excellent condition with sharp stencil markings. This is a nice collectible item for any WW2 collection, or showing the evolution of technology. Left in the crate, it would be wonderful cargo for a military vehicle. Shipping weight about 55 pounds and can go UPS. $195.00 (View Picture)

15017 LARGE BATTLE DRESSING- CAMOUFLAGED, CARLISLE MODEL - The is a large unit, folded up in a flimsy pasteboard box. December 1, 1944 contract date. Wrapped in plastic for protection, Mint, unissued but a bit beat up from long storage, and small area or waterstain on one end of the container- have not opened to check contents. $18.00 (View Picture)

14954 U.S. GUNNER'S QUADRANT, M1 WITH CARRYING CASE - Precision instrument to set the desired degree of elevation for artillery (or even heavy machine guns for indirect fire). This is the M1 version as used in WW2 and Korea. The aluminum carrying case is a later (Korean or Vietnam era?) type as in WW2 they used a leather case. Used excellent. Much of the yuck on the back of the case is masking tape residue that soaking with WD-40 will remove without harming the paint. $135.00 (View Picture)

13154 Carrying case for M1903A4 scope - This is the case, carrying, M67 which is actually for some sort of artillery slide rule, but it is nearly identical to the M65 carrying case for the M73B1/Weaver 330C scopes. The only differences are the markings, the use of a loop for attachment to the belt instead of the M1910 belt hooks, and the addition of a divider strip inside the case which does not interfere with use with a scope. Fine for a renactor or for someone who does not need to have the more expensive correct case. $18.00 (View Picture)

12560 U.S. ARMY EE 6x30 BINOCULARS USED BY U.S. NAVY- 1942 DATED - Standard U.S. Army EE-8 binoculars, and so marked on the front faces. Rear faces have the usual markings as to power, and Bausch & Lomb markings. U.S. NAVY, BUSHIPS added at the factory. Also, name W.Z. SMITH, SR has been added, but I suspect that is a later unofficial addition, perhaps as a retirement gift or something. No info on Mr. Smith was located. Good optics, but exterior painted surfaces show usual minor chipping and wear. Comes with black leather case, but tip of the flap securing strap is broken. $125.00 (View Picture)

11458 M1936 SADDLE SCABBARD FOR M1 GARAND RIFLE- - Made by unidentified maker as marking is illegible. A well used example that is still somewhat flexible. Only one of the securing straps is present and it has been rigged up as a carrying handle. Similar to the M1918 scabbard for the M1903 rifle, but with the addition of a metal trough on the right to clear the operating rod handle, and use of a plug at the muzzle end. Medium brown color. Overall about good condition, and okay as a representative example, but not a prize for the condition collector. These saw little actual use in WW2, but were the final saddle scabbard issued to the cavalry before they were "unhorsed" during WW2. Why get a repro when you can get an original. $110.00 (View Picture)

10284 USMC WW2 CAMOUFLAGE PONCHO - This is earlier type without the grommets on the side to assist in setting up shelters. No maker markings that I could find, but this is well used and they could have worn or been scrubbed off. 2C 0272 stenciled in several places, using black, red or yellow (the latter being two favorite USMC colors) but meaning us unknown and the numbers may be a little different on some of the markings. One torn spot along one of the edges, about 12 inches long, but could be sewn up if desired. Nice and flexible (some are stiff as a board). A little faded from use, but still displays nicely. Besides USMC these also were used by some Navy troops (SEABEE, etc). First one of these we have had for a long time. $149.00 (View Picture)

10212 WW2 CANTEEN- ALUMINUM - Aluminum, marked U.S. /S.M.Co /1945 Used good but with some dents. $18.00 (View Picture)

7868 WW1/WW2 U.S. ARMY WOODEN TENT PEGS - Set of five, enough for one shelter half as carried by the doughboy and GI. Old originals which range from used VG to unissued old stock. Once fairly common, these are now pretty hard to find. $25.00 (View Picture)

Return to Collectors Headquarters.

Return to Collectors Headquarters.

Leather & Web Gear
("782 Gear" to Marines)

Return to Collectors Headquarters main page.