Item Description
Original Items: Only One Lot Available. A one of a kind lot of WWII GI Field Gear pieces. All pieces are in original, unmodified, unissued condition, and some show signs of honest use and storage wear that has accumulated over the last several decades. Some will have additional issue markings added at the arsenal or by the soldiers in various places.
For a Soldier, equipment is a matter of survival. Even something as simple as a button can make the difference between victory and defeat if it fails to function properly at the wrong time. For this reason Soldiers have a strong tendency to become attached to equipment they like, and to modify or discard equipment they find unreliable or useless. Among the Infantry, who have to carry their equipment wherever they go, this tendency is even stronger.
Soldiers must carry everything they need for combat operations with them at all times.Individual load carrying equipment is designed to allow the Soldier to carry a basic load of ammunition, food, water, and first-aid gear. The exact make-up of this load varies from conflict to conflict. In more modern times the load has grown to include additional equipment such as gas masks, maps, compasses, and radios. Because of the cost of replacing equipment for Soldiers is high, equipment is usually replaced in phases, with front-line troops receiving the new equipment first. Support units typically receive equipment later as older equipment wears out or becomes obsolete. Because of this, Soldiers in World War II went to war using several different versions of the basic load bearing gear.
Most Notable Items:
- M1 Schlueter Front Seam Swivel Bale With CAPAC Liner (Unissued, Complete): This is a very nice WWII production M1 helmet by Schlueter, which was possibly later refit and reissued as a Korean War helmet. The shell has a front seam stainless steel rim and a set of swivel (movable) chinstrap loops called "bales". The rims were both rust resistant and had "non-magnetic qualities" that reduced the chance of error readings when placed around certain sensitive equipment (such as a compass). This helmet is a fine example and still much of the original "corked" grain paint with one original red cross inside a white circle. It bears heat lot stamp 371A on the inside of the shell, which on this helmet indicates production in early 1944. We were not able to find the "S" marking, which is often faint, however the small circular spot welds on the rim and bales are definitive for a Schlueter helmet.
The liner is correct "high pressure" WWII issue and stamped with the Capac Manufacturing Company logo with frontal eyelet. Many surplus WWII Helmet liners (and helmets) were put back into service with the outbreak of the Korean war. Manufactured in Capac, Michigan this "high pressure" manufactured M-1 helmet liner is identified by an embossed "cross" with the words CAPAC in the crown. Capac Manufacturing Company started M-1 helmet liner delivery to the US Army in September 1942. They produced approximately between 2,000,000 - 4,000,000 M-1 helmet liners and discontinued production around August 17, 1945 when the war ended.
This true M1 liner can be identified through the frontal eyelet hole. Other correct WW2 features include cotton herringbone twill (HBT) cloth suspension liner. This HBT suspension is held tightly within the M-1 helmet liner by rivets and a series of triangular "A" washers. The three upper suspension bands are joined together with a shoestring. This way the wearer could adjust the fit. The sweatband has a few stained spots but shows no signs of real wear. The liner chinstrap is present, complete and in solid condition.
- US Army Lightweight Service Gas Mask
- M1943 Entrenching Tool Shovel with Canvas Carrier
- Field Uniform Set
All items are in wonderful condition with minor to no wear. There is no extensive damage on any items. This is truly a wonderful grouping perfect for the young collector looking for a place to start. Comes more than ready for further research and display.
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
