my latest acquisitions

[Edward]

well, if anyone in the other forums needs a slider buckle I can point them in this direction to help with their restoration but they'd be spending $45.00 and then have to destroy the leggings to retrieve the buckle!
good enough.. I'm done.

 

[ausreenactor]

Check the hardware tab!

 

[ausreenactor]

They sell bits on their own. Real men can join steel so you might be one of them and shorten the buckle. P.S. I am not a real man.

 

[ausreenactor]

Check Danish or Belgian field equipment. US based. Other stuff for antennas and crap like that?

 

[Edward]

They sell bits on their own. Real men can join steel so you might be one of them and shorten the buckle. P.S. I am not a real man.

I'm lazy.

 

[ausreenactor]

Redirect Notice

 

[ausreenactor]

U.S. Hardware

The source for authentic, quality reproduction WW2 uniforms and field gear, since 1992.

www.atthefront.com

 

[ausreenactor]

5/8" Friction Buckle in a pinch?

 

[Edward]

today I completed the restoration of my M3 Flak helmet with the addition of new felt pads. I believe the originals were wool felt and these modern ones are most likely man made material but you can't see the difference. I could perhaps find some water based dye and color the tan ones to match the original but the brown ones are close enough. also you can see here the diameter is an exact match. they are just a tad thicker but not by much.perfect for replacing lost ear pads.

I did have the usual rusting on the ear protectors so I used phosphoric acid to remove some of the rust and additionally it converts some of the iron oxide into an inert layer of ferric phosphate and preps the surface for paint of which I sprayed a can of a near match Rustoleum Olive Drab. Being its on the inside portion I wasn't too concerned with it not being an exact color match but one day may hit it with a different closer OD match.
(For the rust I used Klean-Strip Phosphoric Concrete Etch & Metal Prep + Rust Inhibitor from Home Depot.)

 

[B-Man2]

Nice job Ed!

 

[ausreenactor]

Well done. Saw the post on FB. Ingenuity at its best!

 

[Edward]

just had to add this to my collection.only one other bidder so I got it for a steal. needs servicing but its rare enough to find an original Elgin box but even more rare to get the matching serial number. the label is a bit scuffed up sadly but for $162 what the heck....
the acrylic crystal is yellow. I thought it yellowed with age but this one appears to actually be yellow tint. not sure that is original and don't recall if any were issued that way.
Not sure how these were initially boxed and displayed. I feel like a cardboard piece may be missing that the watch would have been strapped to under the cutout window but not certain. I added my own OD watch band as it came with a very old and badly decayed leather one.

 

[Edward]

Finally got my NOS Barbasol from France. Still waiting on my NOS Molle’ Shaving cream but for now my footlocker is finally complete

 

[Edward]

While not specifically Army issue these were used aboard some WWII aircraft. Not hard to find the thermos but the carrier is harder to get. this thermos is NOS with original box.

 

[B-Man2]

Ed
Those are some amazing finds .
Pretty cool stuff...

 

[Micawber]

Very nice finds as usual Ed. Once life returns to normal you'll be able to charge an entry fee for people to come and view your collection.

 

[Edward]

found a great piece to add to my 1940s vintage USAAF office! A card index file cabinet... and not just any... this one is marked on the bottom (albeit a bit faded and worn) Property Air Force United States Army so it fits right in with my decor perfectly! Dove tail oak construction, bakelite handles and its a match to one in a photo I've had for a while....

Thebigger problem with finding more stuff is running out of room and having to re-arrange stuff... I need a bigger desk!

 

[Edward]

 

[Smithy]

Your office is just too cool Edward, I absolutely love it and all the wonderful attention to even the smallest details. Fantastic stuff!

 

[Edward]

Your office is just too cool Edward, I absolutely love it and all the wonderful attention to even the smallest details. Fantastic stuff!

thanks! I am super stoked about this file card cabinet! to be 1940's vintage is one thing but to be marked as having actually been used during WWII by the USAAF really puts it over the top for me! As my friends in the UK would say... I'm chuffed!