Cool Military Barn Finds

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12-20-2020, 19:17
Bailey Guns

Cool Military Barn Finds

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
12-20-2020, 19:40
StagLefty

That is so cool !!!! I know what you mean about spending a lot of time in a place like that. I love WWII relics.
12-20-2020, 20:06
rondog

Wow, so jelly!!! Does he have more, and is selling?
12-20-2020, 20:07
rondog

Well shit, you're in Oklahoma now.....nm.
12-20-2020, 20:09
CS1983

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...lmet-insignia/

Pairs best with m2 ball.
12-20-2020, 20:54
Bailey Guns

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.
02-06-2021, 20:12
flogger

1 Attachment(s)

Japanese 'Good Luck' flag, silk, 29"x 20". A popular GI bring back from WW2.
Attachment 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?
02-08-2021, 12:24
Bailey Guns

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.
05-15-2021, 19:44
flogger

1 Attachment(s)

Fortunate enough to get some original artwork from the estate of a Martin Marietta Illustrator.

Attachment 86169

Original painting, 13" x 10"
05-15-2021, 19:46
flogger

1 Attachment(s)

Another one

Attachment 86170
05-15-2021, 20:07
flogger

1 Attachment(s)

Martin Mars

Attachment 86171
05-16-2021, 06:13
Bailey Guns

Oh, wow! That is a great find!
05-16-2021, 08:00
def90

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.
05-16-2021, 08:35
Squeeze

1 Attachment(s)

I picked this up last summer from a guy who walked into the gun shop. Original WW II Hitler Youth Knife

Attachment 86175
05-16-2021, 14:54
flogger

Very cool piece of history in the HJ knife.
05-16-2021, 18:25
Bailey Guns

2 Attachment(s)

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:

Attachment 86194

Attachment 86195
05-16-2021, 20:17
flogger

Wow, if those could talk!
05-17-2021, 07:57
Squeeze

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bailey Guns

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:

Attachment 86194

Attachment 86195

Man, I'd love to drink my coffee out of one of those. REALLY COOL!
05-17-2021, 15:15
Grime

1 Attachment(s)

Quote:

Originally Posted by flogger

Japanese 'Good Luck' flag, silk, 29"x 20". A popular GI bring back from WW2.
Attachment 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?

Attachment 86201
05-17-2021, 22:34
flogger

Thanks for that info Grime!

Kind of adds a creepy personal touch.
05-17-2021, 23:02
Grime

Quote:

Originally Posted by flogger

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.
05-18-2021, 00:36
Irving

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...-no?authuser=0
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw...-no?authuser=0
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw...-no?authuser=0
05-18-2021, 01:03
Irving

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...-no?authuser=0
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw...-no?authuser=0

Oh yeah, and of course this.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw...-no?authuser=0
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw...-no?authuser=0
05-18-2021, 07:22
CS1983

The crucifix is WW1 German trench art.
05-18-2021, 08:38
Irving

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.
05-18-2021, 11:07
CS1983

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irving

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]
05-18-2021, 11:47
Irving

Great info, thanks!
05-18-2021, 14:16
flogger

Cool stuff Irv, that locker is built like a tank!

Sweet Colt too.
05-18-2021, 14:22
flogger

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grime

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!
05-20-2021, 12:01
Grime

1 Attachment(s)

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.

Attachment 86223
05-20-2021, 16:40
flogger

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!
05-20-2021, 17:04
Grime

Quote:

Originally Posted by flogger

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.
08-20-2021, 15:48
flogger

1 Attachment(s)

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? Attachment 87238
08-20-2021, 16:21
WETWRKS

Quote:

Originally Posted by flogger

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? Attachment 87238

For inflating the fake tanks they used to fool the Nazi during WWII...
10-06-2021, 10:24
flogger

1 Attachment(s)

Attachment 87837

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 (?).
08-04-2022, 22:12
flogger

3 Attachment(s)

Attachment 91111 Attachment 91112 Attachment 91113

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.
08-04-2022, 22:13
flogger

Sorry about the screwed up pictures!
08-05-2022, 06:42
Bailey Guns

You guys have some really cool stuff!