View Full Version : Cool Military Barn Finds
Bailey Guns
12-20-2020, 19:17
My neighbor let me rummage thru his barn this afternoon. I could've spent a week in there, American Picker's style! Lots of neat stuff.
But, I came away with a few things I thought were interesting. Anyone know what the flag emblem means?
Old ammo boxes
https://i.imgur.com/CabFSNv.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/SDuPHGc.jpg
A WWII German Luftwaffe helmet. I think it's an M35 but I don't know for sure. It's not in great shape but it's still cool.
https://i.imgur.com/BVXX9eK.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/OhwM14g.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/xRRv35m.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/o7YN6vA.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/PtVg1Ke.jpg
StagLefty
12-20-2020, 19:40
That is so cool !!!! I know what you mean about spending a lot of time in a place like that. I love WWII relics.
Wow, so jelly!!! Does he have more, and is selling?
Well shit, you're in Oklahoma now.....nm.
Flag emblem? I assume you mean the crossed cannons and the grenade. Ordnance Corps symbols.
more info on the helmet and history of the various symbols: https://alexanderandsonsrestorations.com/understanding-wwii-german-helmet-insignia/
Pairs best with m2 ball.
Bailey Guns
12-20-2020, 20:54
No need for the application of M2 ball. I think the threat is terminated. :)
I know what the US Ordnance Corps emblems are...I just didn't make it clear what I was talking about in the OP. I meant the national colors on the helmet. Just wondering if it had any significance to a particular unit. But, that was a great website...lots of interesting info and confirms to me (at least I think so) that this is what is referred to as an M35 (or double decal) helmet from the 1935 - 1937 time frame.
Pretty interesting stuff.
Japanese 'Good Luck' flag, silk, 29"x 20". A popular GI bring back from WW2.
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Actually picked up years ago at a flea market but never really did any research on it. These things were very personal to each soldier as they were signed by his family members, teachers and friends with wishes of victory and a safe return. There are a few good youtube videos describing several different types of flags and giving some translation. The longest video is the best if your interested. There are some interesting examples with curses to the ememy and prayers for famine and plague upon them!
As we know, many of these 'good luck' flags didn't work out real well for the holder. Hundreds of thousands died and many are considered dead but never buried, never found. These flags are a direct connection to a Japanese soldier, it (supposedly) has his name, the town/province he came from and more.
I have no love lost for Japanese soldiers during WW-2, many proved they were animals.
But.... they have a place in Japan that will try to connect the flag with the family of the soldier it belonged to. Hundreds of flags have been returned to the family with some touching ceremonies. I might do that.
Anyone read Japanese?
Bailey Guns
02-08-2021, 12:24
History is important. Even the things we find abhorrent. I have a few pieces of German military history with SS symbols and others. What they did is unconscionable... But a simple relic doesn't know that. I think the flag is cool and appreciate you posting about it.
Fortunate enough to get some original artwork from the estate of a Martin Marietta Illustrator.
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Original painting, 13" x 10"
Bailey Guns
05-16-2021, 06:13
Oh, wow! That is a great find!
That helmet may not be in great shape but it’s likely an original so it is probably worth good money. There are so many fakes and repros on the market these days that people pay a considerable upcharge for the real ones.
I picked this up last summer from a guy who walked into the gun shop. Original WW II Hitler Youth Knife
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Very cool piece of history in the HJ knife.
Bailey Guns
05-16-2021, 18:25
Not barn finds, but cool nevertheless... I have a several pieces of white ceramic (or porcelain...not sure) dinnerware from German military dining halls. Most have Luftwaffe markings with some army markings. Cups, saucers, plates, desert plates, tea pot, coffee pot, salt/pepper well, etc... Really neat history from WWII. The best pieces of the collection, though, are these two mugs. They're very large and heavy:
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Wow, if those could talk!
Not barn finds, but cool nevertheless... I have a several pieces of white ceramic (or porcelain...not sure) dinnerware from German military dining halls. Most have Luftwaffe markings with some army markings. Cups, saucers, plates, desert plates, tea pot, coffee pot, salt/pepper well, etc... Really neat history from WWII. The best pieces of the collection, though, are these two mugs. They're very large and heavy:
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Man, I'd love to drink my coffee out of one of those. REALLY COOL!
Japanese 'Good Luck' flag, silk, 29"x 20". A popular GI bring back from WW2.
84948
Actually picked up years ago at a flea market but never really did any research on it. These things were very personal to each soldier as they were signed by his family members, teachers and friends with wishes of victory and a safe return. There are a few good youtube videos describing several different types of flags and giving some translation. The longest video is the best if your interested. There are some interesting examples with curses to the ememy and prayers for famine and plague upon them!
As we know, many of these 'good luck' flags didn't work out real well for the holder. Hundreds of thousands died and many are considered dead but never buried, never found. These flags are a direct connection to a Japanese soldier, it (supposedly) has his name, the town/province he came from and more.
I have no love lost for Japanese soldiers during WW-2, many proved they were animals.
But.... they have a place in Japan that will try to connect the flag with the family of the soldier it belonged to. Hundreds of flags have been returned to the family with some touching ceremonies. I might do that.
Anyone read Japanese?
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Thanks for that info Grime!
Kind of adds a creepy personal touch.
Thanks for that info Grime!
Kind of adds a creepy personal touch.
You're welcome. Do you have the right side bit that is missing, or is that the entirety of what you have? Very cool item to have by the way.
Not WWII, but my Vietnam footlocker is now my camping box. I've thought of trying to restore it, but it feels like to do so would require me to replace all the wood. The top panel anyway. If I do that, I might as well just make my own.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3eHjJEjc3ViVXCTo-Mbp3Zsb10xXue0K-4uP2AY9bOrJXLJgF-OrPK24SmXjRy4303nlCHJHGgLZKii9UMoNEFKGZCD06sR5WEI2 PPT6M8eyj_ZfPkiOwuR9vRRW2LUVDkS9zGVA99k6XSCUivmtFd RcA=w834-h625-no?authuser=0
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3dZnLJ-iweDJUQf83znIB3roeuW6jCzDS59Kymi04i4ge9KyA-u3Ei6MP4sXP5OMVY9vmAtPEQzDStz-0HHXk_RYFLXCFzeO4YM7aoBfJ2FjpxN4_cKQsoVgxQ-7e7VG1htcJ16DuPjq6oyzBYVhvZKYw=w834-h625-no?authuser=0
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3eDaCo74lSDEmS8UV1OCqg_0wxWlHJvMj6Y5d9PdQhQOMLLF3c QiJgx5fAAOBA2Ifgpl4PcU-4kCIitTWPSOu3N9x_gyP-7hwlHD_9Nl328VAOdY-UGALTFg3kwE2XacHFwNrT1ox2YCs1KqvWa_FrM2w=w834-h625-no?authuser=0
I'm sure I've posted all these before, and they aren't really as cool as the stuff from other nations, but they fit in here.
From whenever this was made.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3eon_RcovnFaLPv0FoTqo5zihCYK-GsrtUzmlzWhfRQ6YwILv9DLkcjKYdVZReVPt18BUTkLXOsVSRo KNS95f4lAgD8xIFt4c6DrcQTTu3CjM7n8H3fGCWu0As14OTNvM 9u1KBLc97BJfb-CBC32Rq3SQ=w469-h625-no?authuser=0
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3c3EczLSegX8Fx7SbU2su0JGLzCcTLN0Gxr-GgZqRlQz1JXV7O8hcYOME0IIM6VCpptBczqK-vfMQaIG14fqaA9do4bdjs4ACEqK434Xx4fzYgBJ0644fKdQnJ-tdslpSWPfpcod6kewz15H5c5b9Xk0w=w469-h625-no?authuser=0
Oh yeah, and of course this.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3eRWf1ASdVy7RYthUPihfKFbtzaImT3MoXnUwOnmVcqLU-G0kfZAisANlmB92mBDguVhH02TKTLQ0C1gX50cCdkTVLaeTl46 J49DU8OnyqOXBIKdq_cnBImxUNNx4qUackjw5WiTcNSeE5O3vZ OJMY71A=w1112-h625-no?authuser=0
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3ejqndAv1VyHuQFsv6TA2vdKap6aCkG8jLDk5Pn5HF6b7e9e7E cqkqvxtud6ucHj4aJYP7cES7akG_UuQ14Z70C_OoO_CuICrVo9 aWVkplJRaHsGEHuslhK7P-lQggO5dv8uLS0VttQWoZHTEMQeFpwmA=w1112-h625-no?authuser=0
The crucifix is WW1 German trench art.
I thought that's what I remember looking up about the crucifix as well. Better hold onto that. I think that's cool as heck.
I thought that's what I remember looking up about the crucifix as well. Better hold onto that. I think that's cool as heck.
It's made from the German WW1 belt buckle. You can tell its WW1 because of the imperial crown (hidden behind the rays behind Christ's head). WW2 buckles had the same writing (Gott Mit Uns; God With Us), but the center was the eagle/swastika. As it turned out, God was not with them. [ROFL1]
Cool stuff Irv, that locker is built like a tank!
Sweet Colt too.
You're welcome. Do you have the right side bit that is missing, or is that the entirety of what you have? Very cool item to have by the way.
Nope, its just the way I got it. The silk fabric is really fragile now. Another one of those 'wish it could talk' items. Thank your wife for the translation, I had read that there could be several types of Japanese "script" or language on these flags. Greek to me!
So after mentioning flogger's flag to my dad, my dad decided to give me a few things he's been holding on to.
Here is two I thought were pretty awesome.
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Wow, very nice Grime! Looks like an early SA dagger with scabbard, 'All for Germany'. The K98 bayonet looks to be in fine shape too.
Certainly keepers. Was your father in WW2? I always wonder how things like this ended up in Colorado!
Kind of tough to get those guys to talk about it, and understandably so.
Thanks for sharing the pictures and tell Dad thanks too!
Wow, very nice Grime! Looks like an early SA dagger with scabbard, 'All for Germany'. The K98 bayonet looks to be in fine shape too.
Certainly keepers. Was your father in WW2? I always wonder how things like this ended up in Colorado!
Kind of tough to get those guys to talk about it, and understandably so.
Thanks for sharing the pictures and tell Dad thanks too!
He was not in WW2, he was stationed in Germany in the 70's and picked these up while there. He has some really cool stuff from Korea that he picked up while stationed there in the 60's, I'll see if I can get some photos of that stuff.
I would love to know the whole story behind all these items.
This is a U.S. Ordnance Corps 'Pump Vacuum and Pressure' Hand operated pump, built like a tank, has psi gauge and selector switch for vacuum or pressure. Hose tip is gone but works well and has fold-out foot pegs.
Kind of wondering where they would need a hand operated vacuum pump? 87238
This is a U.S. Ordnance Corps 'Pump Vacuum and Pressure' Hand operated pump, built like a tank, has psi gauge and selector switch for vacuum or pressure. Hose tip is gone but works well and has fold-out foot pegs.
Kind of wondering where they would need a hand operated vacuum pump? 87238
For inflating the fake tanks they used to fool the Nazi during WWII...
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Found in a donation box of Halloween stuff.
USMC WW2 P44 reversible frog skin cammo jacket.
Has a painted yellow disc on the left shoulder (?).
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This is an early German/Austrian Forest or Hunting knife. It's rough but after some gentle rust removal I found the 'double squirrel' Eichkorn marking which should date to WW-1. The blade is also acid etched with scenes of deer and trees. Etching is faint and the blade shows surface rust and old sharpening.
No sheath/scabbard. Note the bizarre guard design of a hooved foot sticking out of a dog's mouth! Metal acorn studs on stag horn grip and scallop scabbard guard. 7-1/4" blade, 12-1/2" overall. These were produced as high-quality presentation pieces and award's that had brass fittings and 'triple etched' polished blades, but this appears to be a less expensive (private purchase?) model with steel fittings and a dash of gold paint here and there.
Sorry about the screwed up pictures!
Bailey Guns
08-05-2022, 06:42
You guys have some really cool stuff!
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