Memorabilia

US WWI Headgear Lot: USMC Helmet, British Helmet, & Four Overseas Caps

Features a US M1917 Helmet with applied US Marine Corps Eagle, Globe, and Anchor insignia.  The retaining nut is secured so solidly that I did not want to risk damage or defacing this to wrestle it loose for the purpose of checking to see if the hole is punched or drilled; it appears from the back side to have been in this configuration for a considerable length of time.  Helmet has a worn but good liner with gray felt crown pad and intact brown leather chinstrap.  

Also includes a British issue helmet with third pattern liner lacking the felt crown pad.  Lot further includes four overseas caps: one French style with an enamel Red Cross insignia, one with a "US" disc which is named to an Ordnance soldier, one with an Artillery disc, and one with an Engineer disc. 

$200 - $300

US WWI Headgear Lot: Camo Helmet, Navy Flat Hat, Army Visor, NY Officer Visor & USMC Winter Hat

Includes a US M1917 helmet shell which has a good original camouflage painted finish; interior lacks liner and chinstrap.  US Army enlisted service dress visor cap is a bit deformed from poor storage but remains fundamentally sound and would block out nicely; has normal light wear but no readily apparent mothing; interior has Frank Brothers (San Antonio) retailer trademark on the lining, which is also inscribed with a soldier's name.  

The dark blue wool US Navy Flat Hat has a custom embroidered star insignia on the crown; band has "U.S.S. LANCASTER" tally.  USS Lancaster (ID-2953) was launched as a cargo ship in May 1918 by the Sun Shipbuilding Company at Chester, Pennsylvania, and quickly acquired by the U.S. Navy for wartime service during World War I. Assigned to the Naval Overseas Transportation Service (NOTS), she sailed from New York in July 1918 with cargo bound for South American ports, unloading at Buenos Aires before proceeding to Marseilles, France, where she arrived just before the November Armistice. Following the end of hostilities, Lancaster joined the Cruiser Transport Force in December 1918 and was tasked with transporting American troops home from Europe, contributing to the massive effort that returned most U.S. veterans by mid-1919. On October 4, 1919, after completing her postwar duties, she was decommissioned and returned to the U.S. Shipping Board.

Lot also includes WWI US Marine Corps 1906 pattern winter hat: forest green wool hat with stitch reinforced cloth visor and folding ear and neck capes which secure with khaki tie tapes; interior with olive drab cloth sweatband, improperly labeled "6-5/8" when in reality it is a 7-1/2 / 7-5/8.. possibly this error is one of the reasons why it survived in essentially unissued condition! 

Lastly, the lot includes a New York state troops officer's M1912 visor hat, dark blue wool with bullion bordered red Artillery branch trim and a nice embroidered New York state seal emblem on the front.  Interior has Ridabok & Co. retailer logo embossed on the sweatband.  It is a bit misshapen from poor storage but remains in overall good condition with no readily apparent mothing, and should easily block back into shape with a little patience and care. 

$200 - $300

US WWI M1917 Rifle Bayonet: Remington

Bayonet for the M1917 Rifle has fullered blade in very good condition with just a few minor age blemishes, gray Parkerized finish throughout but for a small bit of bluing extending beyond the guard to the ricasso, as in the early M1905 bayonets where the tang was blued but the blade finished bright.  Ricasso has "1917" over Remington circular marking on one side, Ordnance bomb and eagle proof stamps with "U.S." on the other.  Hilt has dark blued finish on the pommel, guard, and tang, with walnut scale grips.  Finish is abraded on one side of the muzzle ring.  Second pattern olive drab leather scabbard has dark patina on the steel throat and drag, good overall condition.

$100 - $150

WWI M1917 Bolo Knife Lot: Two Examples

Includes two M1917 bolo knives by Plumb of St. Louis.  First has blade in excellent condition and wood grip scales showing normal light wear, housed in a khaki web covered scabbard.  The second has more wear on the blade and it exhibits sharpening marks, has nice wood grips, and is housed in one of the olive drab painted metal scabbards.  $150 - $250

WWI US M1905 Bayonet with Web Scabbard: Springfield Arsenal 1918

M1905 bayonet has fullered blade with blackened finish, has a bit of very light pitting near the tip and several small edge nicks.  Ricasso has Springfield Arsenal and Ordnance bomb marking with 1918 date; reverse has "US" and accountability number "835918".  Hilt shows light wear; has smooth walnut grips.  Web covered rawhide scabbard has faded web covering and leather tip, both with stains and normal light wear.  

$150 - $200

US M1913 Cavalry 'Patton' Saber: Springfield Arsenal 1913First year production Patton saber has ricasso with 1913 date and Springfield Arsenal markings on one side; "US / 2423" accountability number on the other.  Blade shows some age and spots of light pitting but remains good overall.  Scabbard has the web portion dyed black with a running red diamond motif. $200 - $300

WWI US Marked Canadian Ross Rifle Bayonet Lot: Two Examples

First example is 37cm (~14-1/2") overall, has blade with the original MKI profile prow point, in good overall condition with minor blemishes.  Blued finish protection terminates just beyond the guard.  Hilt has traces of blued finish blending with light patina, stepped muzzle ring, wood grip scales marked with Ordnance bomb and "U.S." in addition to the original Canadian inspector stamp.  Pommel has "Ross Rifle Co. / Quebec" with 1907 patent date and lined out markings on one side, button side has C-BroadArrow stamp with "8-09" production date stamp.  Includes US marked scabbard.

Second is the MKII modification: 37.2cm (~14-1/2") overall, blade has long prow point, very nice condition with just a bit of light scabbard wear.  Blued finish terminates just beyond the guard.  Hilt retains most of its blued finish, marked with C-BroadArrow and 1916 date on the attachment button side of the square hilt.  Opposite side has "Ross Rifle Co. / Quebec".  Wood scale grips show light service wear, secured by spanner bolts and marked with inspector stamps.  Brown leather scabbard is marked with "US" stamp among Canadian markings, belt loop is pierced with hole in the back just above the stitching, for the purpose of attaching to the belt hook on the Canadian uniform.  $200 - $300

WWI US M1905 Bayonet with Web Scabbard: Springfield Arsenal 1907
M1905 bayonet has fullered blade with bright finish, with the 1/4" bluing line beyond the guard, a few very light age blemishes, quite nice overall.  Ricasso has Springfield Arsenal and Ordnance bomb marking with 1907 date; reverse has "US" and accountability number "220310".  Hilt shows light patina on the guard, smooth walnut grip scales, and blued pommel with the "A" stamp on the mortise indicating that it was altered to incorporate the improved version of the catch.  Web covered rawhide scabbard remains in nice condition, with a good clear 1917 dated maker stamp on the leather tip.
$200 - $300

Scarce M1910 bolo has the push button scabbard catch that was omitted on the later 1917 and 1917  C.T. pattern knives. Ricasso is stamped "S. A. / [Ordnance Bomb]  / 1912" and "U.S. / 19237" on the reverse.  Blade is finished bright with a few very light blemishes.  Hilt has slight traces of blued finish mixed with dark plumb patina, has walnut grip scales with a bit of material loss on the underside.  Includes a good early light olive web covered rawhide scabbard.  For every couple of hundred Bolos we handle, we are lucky if only one is this early style. Scarce blade missing from most collections.. and as scarce as the knives are, the correct old scabbards are doubly so - most of the examples that we have had were in surplus 1917 and 1918 dated scabbards.  $200 - $300

US M1909 Bolo Knife & Scabbard: Plumb 1917

The M1909 bolo knives were made by Springfield Armory between 1909 and 1915 for use in tropical climates due to experience in Cuba and the Philippines, then revived briefly for WWI as the M1917 by both Plumb and Collins.  49.5cm (19-1/2") overall, with 35.5 cm (~13-7/8") curved bolo style blade with single bevel edge.  Blade is in good polish with normal scabbard wear and a few light blemishes.  Ricasso has "U.S. / 53116" accountability number on one side, and maker "PLUMB / PHILA. / (Ordnance bomb) / 1917" on the other.  Has thick steel crossguard with blued finish worn away leaving only a smooth gray patina, and curved walnut two-piece scale grips.  Pecard-free brown leather scabbard shows little wear; reverse has "LADEW" maker stamp and inspector initials just below the belt loop. 

$300 - $400

US M1917 Trench Knife: A.C. Co. 'Flange Guard'

1917 pattern trench knife has triangular blade retaining 80% blued finish.  Steel guard is just as nice with 80% or better blued finish mixing with a 'plumb' patina, has  "A.C. Co. / U.S.A. / 1917" maker stamp on the inside, knuckle guard with exterior edge 'flange' striking studs, and good contoured walnut grip.  Has the correct "JEWELL 1918" marked scabbard with olive drab leather body in excellent condition.  $300 - $500

US WWI M1917 Trench Knife - Scarce 'Extra Knuckle' Variation

M1917 Trench knife has triangular blade, retains 80% blackened finish; comparably nice finish on the metal portion of the hilt.   Guard has "U.S. / L.F.&C. / 1917" maker stamp, knuckle guard with pyramid studs, and a contoured walnut grip.  Guard has an 'extra' knuckle just below the blade.  Complete with nice condition "JEWELL 1918" marked scabbard.  Very few were made in this style were produced, making it one of the more difficult to acquire WWI U.S. edged weapons. $600-$800

M1917 Trench knife has triangular blade, retains 80% blackened finish; comparably nice finish on the metal portion of the hilt as well with just a few light rust spots.   Guard has "U.S. / L.F.&C. / 1917" maker stamp, knuckle guard with pyramid studs, and contoured walnut grip.  Guard has an 'extra' knuckle just below the blade.  Complete with nice condition "JEWELL 1918" marked scabbard.  Very few were made in this style were produced making it one of the more difficult to acquire WWI U.S. edged weapons. $400-$600

US Mark I 1918 Trench Knife & Scabbard: French Aulion Maker

The Mark I design was based on a survey of all of the successful trench knives in used to that point in WWI.  Double-edged French pattern blade has light 'salt and pepper' age spots, above average overall with a partially visible Aulion maker's lion logo on the ricasso.  Solid cast brass knuckle bow and grip has nice uncleaned, mellow age patina with "U.S. 1918" stamp.  Complete with the proper French stamped metal scabbard which still retains the belt attachment prongs.  $1000 - $1500

The Mark I design was based on a survey of all of the successful trench knives in used to that point in WWI.  Double-edged French pattern blade has light age blemishes and shows signs of sharpening, above average overall with a nice clear strike of the Aulion maker's lion logo on the ricasso.  Solid cast brass knuckle bow and grip has nice uncleaned, mellow age patina with "U.S. 1918" stamp.  Complete with the proper French stamped metal scabbard which still retains the belt attachment prongs.  $1200 - $1600

Lot of two non-functional grenades cast in the profile of the US Mark I, with the very distinctive pivoting arming lever.  These each retain traces of dark olive finish blending with dark patina.  

$50 - $100

WWI US Mark I Grenade

First model US hand grenade with segmented cast iron body with age dark finish, complete with fill hole plug, fuze assembled complete with lead body and pivoting arming lever, pull safety pin and arming cap, completely inert. Very nice example of a rare grenade.

$200 - $300

WWI US Accoutrement &  Equipment Lot: Trench Periscope, Cartridge Belt, & Pre-War Canteen

Includes a soiled and worn but intact and very displayable M1910 dismounted pattern rifle cartridge belt, an (empty) box respiratior carrier, olive drab painted wood box periscope with folding attachment stake and metal belt clip, and a pre-war canteen.  The oblate spheroid pattern of 1887 canteen  was slightly thicker than the recovered / reused M1858 canteens used earlier, this pattern was manufactured from 1887 until 1900, and a great many issued out to newly-inducted troops in training camps during the early days of US involvement in WWI.  Example is dark with stains but remains in good overall condition, lacks strap.  Lot also includes a WWI souvenir 'trench art' napkin ring featuring the German "Gott Mit Uns" roundel. 

$100 - $150

WWI US Army Manual & Book Lot: 20+ Books Including Elements of Trench Warfare & Bayonet Training

Over 20 volumes in the lot. Of principal interest are "Elements of Trench Warfare / Bayonet Training", "Manual for Noncommissioned Officers and Privates of Cavalry 1917", "Manual for Farriers, Horseshoers, Saddlers, and Wagoners or Teamsters 1914", "Handling the Straight Army Ration", and the heavily illustrated commercial publication "Our Army and How To Know It" which is still useful today as a quick reference guide to WWI era US Army rank and branch insignia, as well as hat cords, medal ribbons, etc.  Also includes original copies of the oft-reprinted volumes: "Specifications for the Uniform of the United States Army 1915", "Price List of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores 1917", "Infantry Unit Accountability Equipment Manual - including Unit Equipment of Philippine Scouts 1916", and "Description of the Infantry Equipment Model of 1910".  

Lot includes some commercial publications, a YMCA pamphlet "The Nurse and the Knight", "What Sammy's Doing", "How To Be A Soldier", and the Du Pont chemicals publication "Over and Above the Call of Duty" which recounts heroic tales from the history of the US military up to the WWI era.  Of additional interest are "Infantry Drill Regulations / American Expeditionary Forces / Part I / 1918", "Manual for Commanders of Infantry Platoons 1917", "Notes from the Front", "Rules of Land Warfare", etc.  $50 - $100

US 48-Star Flag with Inscription "Flown over Der Rhine - Coblenz Germany - Jan - Feb 1919"

216cm x 355.5cm (~7' x 11' 8") 48-star United States national flag of red, white, and blue cotton bunting has a bit of material loss at the end and a large stain in the center which has weakened the fabric and caused some breaks in the material.  Fly has inscription "FLOWN OVER 'DER RHINE' / COBLENZ GERMANY / JAN-FEB 1919".  Includes a note from a former owner suggesting that the flag was made in France, and that it was purchased from a 1st Division veteran by Scott Kraska.  

$100 - $200

Imperial German Prussian Jäger Officer's Dunkelgrün Waffenrock & Dienstmütze

Jäger dark green wool waffenrock has red wool standing collar, front edge piping, and Swedish cuffs, with tombac buttons.  Shoulders have bullion loops for officer's shoulder boards which are not present.  Interior has a dark green / black silk lining with internal waistbelt and one interior breast pocket.  The former owner has added a six award medal bar for display which includes a Bavarian Military Merit Cross and1914 Iron Cross Second Class.  Coat remains in good condition overall with light wear and just a few small holes.  Nicer still is the visor cap: Jäger dunkelgrün wool cap with red band and piping, has Reich and Prussian officer cockades and a black Vulkanfiber visor with white interior.  Interior of the hat has cream colored thin leather sweatband which is significantly discolored, quite possibly from long contact with a non-archival display head.  Body and crown are lined in white watered silk, with an amber celluloid crown protector that is fractured in the center.  Cap exterior is nice, with one stain on the band and no readily apparent mothing.  

$500 - $600

Imperial German Model 1915 Field Gray 'Bluse'

Feldgrau wool enlisted issue bluse has green abzeichentuch 'insignia cloth' collar, concealed button front closure with gray horn buttons, inset side pockets close with field gray painted crown buttons, and the sleeves have unaltered original barrel cuffs.  Reverse has skirt vent; side hooks and back button hooks are correctly in place.  Shoulders have Telegrapher straps that are original but may be collector additions.  Interior has very nice field gray cotton twill lining with faint size block stamp, maker stamp, and what appears to be an "18" dated 10th Corps bekleidungsamt stamp.  Lining has the two interior pockets and wound dressing pocket in the skirt.  There are several sewn repairs and what appears to be carefully repaired mothing on the collar, and a small repaired hole in the center back just above the belt ramp buttons.  

The Model 1915 simplified field blouse (Bluse) marked a major change in German military dress during the First World War, reflecting wartime economies and evolving battlefield conditions. Introduced to replace the prewar 07/10 tunic, it was designed for faster production with fewer materials and simplified tailoring, eliminating piping, decorative cuffs, and other labor-intensive features. Constructed of field-grey wool with plain turnback cuffs and concealed buttons, the M1915 Bluse provided a more functional and less conspicuous garment suited to trench warfare. Period photographs show that the replacement of the 07/10 waffenrock was hit-or-miss, often with a mix of coat styles within the same unit.

$1500 - $2000

Imperial German WWI Steingrau Enlisted Issue Trousers

Steingrau wool issue trousers have red wool side seam piping, back adjustment belt, angled inset side pockets and watch pocket with attachment loop.  The fly and waistband buttons are a mixture of old replacements.  Interior has white cotton lining with a Tenth Army Corps bekleidungsamt stamp dated 1916, issue markings for the 10th Field Artillery regiment, and a soldier's personal property tag from the 10th Field Artillery Regiment.  The 10th (1st Hannover) Field Artillery Regiment was indeed conveniently assigned to the 10th Army Corps.

These show just a bit of light wear, remaining in excellent overall condition.  The condition and slightly larger than normal 10th Corps stamped marking necessitated a bit of extra due diligence, so we called in our old friend, former business partner, and noted Imperial collector Bill Combs to have a look.  Other than the replaced buttons, Bill was happy to address our questions and pronounce them to be exactly what we (and our consignor) hoped they would be: a good original pair of very scarce enlisted issue Imperial Steingrau trousers!

$1500 - $2000

Imperial German WWI Shoulder Straps: Framed Lot of Eight

69cm (~31") wide x 29cm (11-3/8") tall framed display of eight WWI German shoulder straps highlighted by one Aviation strap, and a single cyphered strap from Grenadier Regiment No. 2.  Frame has glass that is broken in one corner.  Reverse of this old frame has a separate window containing period inscriptions on cardstock, with the collector notation "These four name cards came to me with the shoulder straps."

$100 - $200

Imperial German Hussar Sash Lot: One Enlisted, One Officer.  

Includes one Prussian enlisted Hussar sash of white cord with black and white intermixed barrel segments, knots and tassels.  Also includes one officer Hussar sash of dark red cord with gold bullion barrel segments, knots and tassels.  Both show some wear with areas of loose thread and bullion.  

$200 - $300