Leaderboard

The ribbon on the star has been joined together& shortened, looks like it's been worn, the ribbon is almost worn through just above the ring.

Nice set, would have been nice if they had been (originally period) mounted, would however, not change anything, best to leave them as they are.

Here's another British made helmet stamped FS 153 = Thomas Firth & Sons of Sheffield both ( Manufacturer and Steel Supplier ) Heat/Batch 153 is in good condition and has the rubber ring which was introduced in 1917. Photo's from other sources.

Yes I agree, I noticed one seller had used part of the Makers of WW2 liners list on page one to help sell his helmet, so looks like some people are taking note of what we are saying.

I think that a lot of people don't know the difference between the helmets. I often see this on sites selling militaria, even WW2 US defense helmets listed as WW1 helmets. A lot of folks dont realize that there are several features that differentiate the various helmets. But that is why we must educate by using sites like this one, for those who want to know more. You are doing great with this thread by the way.

Thanks Leon, I am very pleased with them, I just could never see myself selling family medals & didn't know the where the grandfathers until I arrived at the sellers door

Here is a pair of LW straight leg trousers, or M35 Luftwaffe langehosen, in near mint condition. I have also seen them referred to as M37 and M40 trousers. One small moth nip on the seat area, and some missing nap, but it is not easy to see. These have really gotten expensive over the last few years and are getting really hard to find as well. Naturally there are many reproductions available as well. In 1942 the tapered style pants came out to use with the ankle boots and gaiters.

I got this trio grouping from a family member of the recipient ( grand daughter) who had no real emotional attachment to them. They where found in the attic during a clear out & have the original ribbons, so obviously have never been in the collectors circute. Private. James Cairns. S-3276. Ayrgle & Sutherland Highlanders

Very nice set. These would have been worn with the four-pocket tunic and shoes. Note the trouser bottoms have inside a ribbon-like tape, which prevents wear against the shoes, also seen on most civilian trouers till at least the early 1990s, I remember all gents outfitters / Ausstatter had trousers with this inner band, something you don't see in other countries (and typical of German gent's clothing), now discontinued, everything now more jeans-style! This would not have been the trousers as worn with Fliegerbluse and high boots. These would have been issued separately!

Yes I find this a lot on American websites if a helmet has a US Division emblem on the helmet.

Very nice, has the 27th Infantry Division emblem. That is probably why it was listed as a US Helmet. Most if not all helmets that have division insignia on them are post war.

Very Nice, the AEF could possibly stand for the American Expeditionary Force as most helmets used by the US forces were British made.

Here's another helmet I spotted, a mix of ATS and NFS markings has the Red Band for a NFS Leading Fireman and No 2 sticker for Middlesborough Region. also has owners name and id number on inside of helmet, no other stamp marks that I can see. Photo's from other sources.

Here's another British made helmet stamped HV 100 = Hutton & Sons Ltd of Sheffield ( Manufacturer ) Vickers Ltd of Sheffield ( Steel Supplier ) and Heat/Batch code looks like 100. Photo's from other sources.

These are sold blank so you can have a name added later, or some will add the name for you.

Very nice trio Buster.

No name!

Another new item, WW2 German Flak collar tab and shoulder board set for the 79th Regiment. Still researching info on this unit for now.

Here is an interesting item, a WW1 British fencing rifle. This one was made by the W. W. Greener Company for troops to train bayonet/fencing drills as the thought early in the war was that skill with the bayonet was vital. Most of these rifles are from 1914-15 dates. I cannot find the date on this one, however the stock is pretty dirty. I will clean it later and see what shows up. Typically these rifles have the stamp "W.W. Greener Birmingham" with the model numeral below this stamp, while above it was the British broad arrow and above that the date of manufacture. Fully extended the rifle is about 65 inches in length. This rifle has a spring loaded rod that will retract once hitting its opponent, simulating a thrust. These types of rifles were first used as early as 1863. In 1894 the Martini-Henry mark 4 was introduced, followed by the mark 5 in 1896 (these rifles are still available, but getting harder to find). In 1904 a new version was released to simulate the newly introduced SMLE rifle. The Lee Metford was also converted for use in this role as well. In all 10 versions were made during the run of these rifles, with the last model being retired in 1925.

Thanks Fritz, I have been after a pair of these for awhile, yes the craftsmanship is very good. Most of the trousers I have encountered are mostly the flared breeches, and other officer items. The enlisted versions are the hardest to find. Just need a nice set of suspenders for them.

Here are some shoulder boards for WW2 German Engineer troops. First is the older style for the M36 type tunics, this is for the 7th battalion. This set is the sew in type. Next set is for the 39th Engineer Mountain Battalion. This set is the slip on type, and is made of cotton material with a wool backing.

The first set is most likely from a parade tunic (8-button front, no pockets). Very nice sets.

Anniversary, 9. März 1888 Here, scenes from the film "Bismarck" (1940) Kronprinzenpalais, Berlin, Unter den Linden, den 9. März 1888 The Royal Standard is lowered Crowds in front of the Palais The Funeral Cortège proceeds from Berlin Cathedral on the long way to the Mausoleum in Charlottenburg The Cortège passes the gates of the Palace of Charlottenburg Kronprinz Friedrich and Kronprinzessin Victoria on the balcony of Schloß Charlottenburg The Kronprinz is suffering from throat cancer and only has months to live, he cannot speak and dictates his thoughts by means of paper and pencil Prinz Wilhelm, the later Kaiser In only five days the whole of Berlin was ceremonially decorated for the occasion...

Here's another British made helmet being sold as a US M1917, the helmet is stamped FKS 8 = Thomas Firth & Sons of Sheffield both ( Manufacturer ) and ( Steel Supplier ) with Heat/Batch code 8, has the Emblem of the US 27 Infantry Division ( looks new). Photo's from other sources.

Here's another British made helmet found in an attic in France I spotted stamped O/H = Samuel Osborne & Co Ltd of Sheffield ( Steel Supplier ) and Hutton & Sons Ltd of Sheffield ( Manufacturer ) with Heat/Batch code 466 or 463 hard to tell last number, has Red Brodie stamp mark inside liner. Photo's from other sources.

Here is another fake, sold on Amazon if you can believe that.

Here's another helmet I spotted used by a Company Officer of fire force 10 most likely Louth in Lincolnshire, looks like they never bothered to put a NFS sticker on the front but just put the rank band over the top of the f10 instead.

Small "unimportant" parts can still be obtained. Lauf, Schlitten, Rahmen, only with a permit.

That must be a very valuable badge. I had a beautifull copy nearly 50 years ago, it didn't cost much and was a superb re-strike.

Others. South Eastern - HQ in Edinburgh = No 3 Fire Force. Eastern - HQ in Dundee = No 4 Fire Force. North Eastern - HQ in Aberdeen = No 5 Fire Force. Northern - HQ in Inverness = No 6 Fire Force. Khaki/Green Helmet Rank Markings. Senior Company Officer- 1 Narrow Red Band over 1 Broad Red Band. Company Officer - 1 Broad Red Band. Section Officer - 2 Narrow Red Bands. Leading Fireman - 1 Narrow Red Band. White Helmet Rank Marking. Chief Regional Fire Officer - 1 Broad Red Round Band and Broad Red Bar inscribed Chief Regional Fire Officer. Fire Force Commander - 1 Broad Red Circular Band and Broad Red Bar inscribed Fire Force Commander. Assistant Fire Force Officer - 1 Broad Red Band. Divisional Officer - 2 Narrow Red Bands. Column Officer - 1 Narrow Red Band. Each Fire Area had a Fire Force with a Fire Force Commander and an Assistant Fire Force Commander. A Division comprised of 100 pumps with a Divisional Officer ( 1 per Division ). A Column comprised of 50 pumps with a Column Officer ( 2 per Division ) and a Senior Company Officer ( were necessary ). A Company comprised of 10 pumps with a Company Officer ( 10 per Division ). A Section comprised of 5 pumps with a Section Leader ( 20 per Division ). And a Leading Fireman ( 1 per pump ).

Here we have two examples from the Scottish regions of the NFS. Western No 1 -HQ in Glasgow = No 1 Fire Force. Western No 2 -HQ in Paisley = No 2 Fire Force.

Thanks for sharing this Leon it’s very informative. I wish to add a photo of my grand aunt who I believe from this photo was in the NFS as a driver but that’s only an inference and will have to do some more digging to prove her role. I don’t have a date for this picture but believe it’s from the Second World War or just after as that’s what the pictures around it were dated. Thanks again for the information above. Regards, Jack

Here's an early AFS buttonhole badge made of sterling silver and numbered.