I'm sure there are some, I just don't know who. I have a lot of local collector friends whom I am attempting to get to come by and give this sight a look. One, has a vast aray of Allied and British Airborne material, but is hestitant to converse on forums due to his first outing being a rough experience on another forum. He is coming to my home this Friday to pick up some mannequins. Hopefully I can convince him to bring along some of his Allied collection, shoot it, and send it off to Volkbert to post pics. We will have to see. Bill
Cool Doc , Do you know of any decent shops around the southeast US? Any links to some good websites? Reference books? I'm just getting into Militaria, but I have a couple of places around here to checkout. I am mostly interested in U.S. 5th Army and 5th Army Signal Corps(63rd Sig BN), as that is what my Grandfather was in. Thanks,
I honestly just stick to antique malls and junk stores - it's where I've gotten a vast majority of my stuff for much less than what it's worth. Also, ebay isn't terrible for US stuff, as long as you aren't looking for airborne. 5th army uniforms and paperwork are constantly on there. I hunt down 47th Regt., 9th Inf. Div stuff and medic stuff on ebay relatively often. I'm often the only bidder. Right now there is a 5th army history book for just a couple of dollars. Also - this is really unique! Check out this 5th army medal http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2180571796&category=4724 I really think that with US you don't need to go to a specialty dealer. Gun shows can be a good deal now and again too. I actually got a t-handle shovel at a gun show for pretty dern cheap. [ 25. June 2003, 12:09 PM: Message edited by: Doc Raider ]
Oh, and althogh my school / work schedule no longer permits it, I used to hit garage sales all summer. If you look long enough you will find something.
Thanks Doc, that looks nice. Would a signal soldier stationed in Italy in Oct. 1943 gotten one of those or would it just have been specific units? Thanks,
I'm really not sure, I'd never seen one of those before! It's not an official US army award, so it's probably going to be hard to find any documentation. There may be some in a 5th army unit history or something. Interestingly, I just found a portrait of a GI taken on his return to bloomington IN at a goodwill store here in town. He's got a 5th army patch on! Unfortunately, he is in the Engineers. If he was signal corps I'd send him off to you!
Doc, Thanks for being interested in my cause. The other day I send an e-mail off to someone who was trying to help me even before I found out what BN my grandfather was in. letting him know that i found out wich BN, and Co he was in. He then told me that he had been friends with the BN Commander of my grandfathers unit, but that he had passed away a couple of years ago.(Sooo Close)(My luck) the BN commander does have a son who my friend plans to ask for any informaiton he has. Do you know what a Signal Corps uniform would have looked like? reg army? Thanks again,
