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What's your newest Militaria? (2020)

Discussion in 'Other Militaria' started by Otto, Jan 1, 2020.

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  1. Otto

    Otto Spambot Nemesis Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    A new thread to open up the roaring 20's.
     
  2. Otto

    Otto Spambot Nemesis Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    This isn't exactly an item I received in 2020 as it arrived some time ago, but it's certainly worthy of review.

    Earlier in 2019, I was doing some research on hand grenades of WWII (as one does). I was looking to collect high resolution photos of these items for entry into a hand grenade archive I'm creating which will be part of WW2.ORG. While doing this, it was very hard to miss that forumist Rich (RRA227) has some very good examples of grenades, in particular some rare Japanese ceramic ones. These were exactly what I was looking for and despite tiresome research I could not find high resolution photos of them. After exchanging a few PMs with Rich, discussing angles, lighting, how to indicate scale, etc, Rich wrote he'd get back to me in a few days.

    As happens I got mildly sidetracked with other projects for a few days, and I was surprised to get word from my P.O. Box notifying me a package had arrived for me. Here is what I saw after opening it up:
    [​IMG]

    Without notice or demand, Rich had sent me a pristine example of a Japanese Type 4 Ceramic Grenade.
    [​IMG]

    Here is the Ceramic Grenade, placed alongside a cheap replica US M21 "pineapple" grenade and .50 Cal round for scale.
    [​IMG]

    After dimming the lights and repeatedly angling the flash on my phone, I was able to get a clear reflection from the shiny interior of the grenade.
    [​IMG]

    The Type 4 is certainly an odd duck when it comes to production hand grenades, with everything about them signalling the "last ditch" desperation of Japanese production at the time. These aren't by any means the final versions of the archive photos, but I've learned a lot and experimented some with lighting and angles.

    Thanks especially to Rich (RRA227) for his generosity, the type 4 is a welcome addition to my WW2.ORG research.
     
    Last edited: Jan 2, 2020
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  3. Jba45ww2

    Jba45ww2 Well-Known Member

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    Great piece. Amazing that it has survived in such pristine condition after all these years!
     
  4. bronk7

    bronk7 Well-Known Member

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    ....my opinion is it was manufactured well....I have my uncle's WW2 collection and the stuff is in great shape....the Frauenshaft pins look like they just came out of the factory yesterday..nowadays they manufacture crap that breaks easily/etc
    ..of course if it's supposed to be a grenade, I would think it would have to be durable!!
     
  5. RRA227

    RRA227 Member

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    David322.jpg David323.jpg Got this stuff. Japanese civil helmet,bags,grenades,grenade fragments and 2 M-24's.
    Glad you liked the Type-4.Thought you would take my tag off. Rich
     
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  6. Otto

    Otto Spambot Nemesis Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    For just being a casing with the filler removed, the grenade is quite hefty. It's made of thick porcelain, the thickness of which I'll eventually measure with calipers. If I threw it on the ground I don't think it would break, but I'm certainly not going to test it! Other than the opening, the item is a satisfying perfect sphere. I know that depending on the location of manufacture, the casing came in a variety of colors and glazing. I'd be interested to see if there were all made perfectly spherical at all locations also.
     
  7. Otto

    Otto Spambot Nemesis Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    You ability to track down and collect these items never amazes me. Kudos to you Rich.

    I'll be leaving the tag on until I take proper archival photos of the piece. I'm looking into a photo lightbox and making a proper archive of items.
     
  8. bronk7

    bronk7 Well-Known Member

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    ..the Japanese have been manufacturing porcelain for a long time--so they should've been experts at it...?
    A Brief History of Japanese Ceramics | A Guide to Ceramics | The Museum of Oriental Ceramics,Osaka
    Japanese pottery and porcelain - Wikipedia
     
  9. Jba45ww2

    Jba45ww2 Well-Known Member

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    Newest item to my collection Case with three Sake Cups. The translation on the cover reads - "Commemoration of the Manchurian Incident". Thought it was just one of those unusual pieces
    Case.JPG
    Sake Cups.JPG
     
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  10. RRA227

    RRA227 Member

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    Nice boxed set. Rich A. in Pa.
     
  11. RRA227

    RRA227 Member

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    Some of the Type-4's sit flat.
    Got this stuff. Japanese trousers,bags and Type-4 grenades. Rich A. in Pa.
    David324.jpg
     
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  12. Jba45ww2

    Jba45ww2 Well-Known Member

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    Trousers look great. Another great find!
     
  13. wooley12

    wooley12 Active Member

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    I'm not really a collector of war memorabilia. I have a WWII collection of items that I inherited. This helmet is the only piece I've ever bought. Got it at a farm auction in 1970. My wife wanted an old arch top trunk that was put up for bid unopened. We bid and won. This helmet was inside. Along with a gas mask, pants, jacket, leggings, shirt and a cool leather jerkin. Sadly, improper storage and 50 years later the helmet and jerkin are all that remain. Vest is still in tiptop shape and I wear it from time to time.

    KIMG1892.JPG
     
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  14. Jba45ww2

    Jba45ww2 Well-Known Member

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    That looks like a WW1 helmet from the 77th Division. Do you have some other pictures? Inside and from the front would be good
     
  15. wooley12

    wooley12 Active Member

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    It is from the 77th. 4.JPG 3.JPG

    3.JPG
     
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  16. Jack B

    Jack B Active Member

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    What a cool find!
     
  17. Jba45ww2

    Jba45ww2 Well-Known Member

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    Great find. I definitely think it is from WW1 since they went overseas in WW2 in 44. I would assume by then they would have the standard issue. I am by no means an expert so please if someone disagrees
     
  18. wooley12

    wooley12 Active Member

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    The doughboy uniform and gas mask that came with the helmet told me for certain that it was from WWI.
     
  19. RRA227

    RRA227 Member

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    Nice W.W.1 helmet. Rich A. in Pa.
     
  20. Half Track

    Half Track Well-Known Member

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    Wonderful for you to be able to acquire these.
     
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