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All: Thank you for your support and complimentary words over the past couple of years. I was excited to see that my topic started in November 2022 now has 8,000 views., good stuff. Once again, thank you. Kindest regards, John R.

Hello, I'm interested in buying another black wound badge and have been looking at multiple sites for some. I've found one that's got the makers mark on the pin itself and the marking is 81. I've also seen some badges that have the 81 marking on the backside of the helmet, so I'm just wondering whether or not it's normal for some manufacturers to put their marking on different locations on the badge. I also was wondering why the pin retainer seemed like it was shifter a little further down from the rim of the badge while most other examples I've seen have the pin retainer much closer to the rim. *The first image is a close up of the pin with the mark on it. The second is another separate badge with the mark on the pin. *The third image isn't of the one I was planning to purchase but is an example of one that's marked on the backside of the helmet.

Ok, thank you. I'll probably go ahead and buy it then.

A quick scan of some reputable dealers on the net does reveal examples marked on the pin by this maker.

Here’s my latest acquisition- a very minty Heer tropical belt buckle with the early olive green webbing. Marked with the maker mark of Gustav Brehmer and dated 1940. Most of these are dated 1941 onwards and aren’t in this choice condition.

I have seen this on facebook, the owner may even want to sell it. Have sent you over messenger -

Just watched this movie on a streaming service today, it was the long version, about 3 hours. Interesting and entertaining movie.

I did finally get around to watching March or Die today, good movie. Loved seeing the WW1 machine guns, rifles and equipment.

‘81’ is usually the mark for Oberhoff & Cie - I have one and it is marked on the skirt of the helmet not on the pin- I’m not saying they don’t exist but the ones I’ve seen (black and silver) have always been marked on the rear skirt of the helmet.

I added a second image of another badge that's zoomed out a little more.

THE CANADIAN SHRAPNEL LAMP 1915 The Shrapnel Lamp is is similar to the United States Snead Morgan VICTORY Lamp. It is a WW I heirloom, factory made, trench art lamp for the people back home. They are not actual trench art made by a soldier in the backlines of WW I. See the lower link for an overview of the Victory Lamp: 3 Views of Shrapnel Lamp One 2 Views of Shrapnel Lamp Two LAMP 2 The Canadian Shrapnel Lamp is made from a First World War British Field Artillery shell utilized for the Quick Firing British 18-pound Mark I gun. I have observed two different, but similar WW I lamps both marked “The Shrapnel Lamp”. The first remains almost intact while the other has been subjected to unauthentic repairs. The first more intact lamp has had its light bulb socket and switch replaced with a more modern component. Only the lower mount remains original and in place. The bottom of its socket maintains its original patina and style. The brass lamp base on this specimen is standing taller than the second lamp, it also still retains its identification tag at the base of the lamp. It reads in three lines: “THE SHRAPNEL LAMP, FROM 18 PR. SHRAPNEL SHELL AS MADE FOR THE CANADIAN GENERAL ELECTRIC CO.,LIMITED, NAME AND DESIGNED REGISTERED 1915." While missing on the first lamp, on the second lamp, the washer that forms the base plate for the lamp remains in place. It has the lamp’s date and identification written around the edge of the plate: “Mar. 31, 1915 Shrapnel Lamp Trade Mark Reg.” The most noticeable changes to the first lamp include the replacement socket, a new cord, and the loss of the base plate cover. LAMP 2 The second lamp has been incorrectly modified as stated by its sellers: "We Salvaged this from a Century Farmhouse in Eastern Ontario, Canada, along with several other Military Items from WW1 and WW2. We Replaced the Light Fixture with a Safe New Fixture and Rewired it with New Cloth Covered Rubber Cord and Plug. We've Included an LED Lightbulb with the Lamp" (the original lamp socket and switch has been discarded) LAMP 2 The lamp’s brass base has a different form. In addition, it is most obvious that there is no actual inert artillery shell fuse located at the top of the lamp that is positioned below the socket. It is very unlike the first lamp in its construction. This second lamp has a brass cone utilized to replace the actual fuse. This is very similar to, but not identical to, the cone found on the Victory lamp. The Victory Lamp does not retain an inert fuse at its top, just a replacement press formed thin brass cone to mimic the fuse. Over time, both Shrapnel lamps suffered the loss of their original cloth cords and plugs as well as their original light bulb sockets. These parts were replaced with non period, incorrect replacements. The shell body on the second lamp is listed as ten inches high. OAL (height) is not provided. It is unclear if the lamp is ten inches tall or just the shell's body. In comparison to its black plastic socket, it does seem like the lamps shell body is smaller in size. That might be why Lamp 2 and the Vase Stand both start their military markings with "1/2" ( both marked "The Colonial Fixtures Ltd."). That 1/2 and name notation is not found on the Canadian General Electric Lamp . Below I show a Shrapnel Shell Vase/Stand with glass inserts that is listed as seven inches tall. If both the vase and lamp two measure around seven to ten inches tall they are smaller than lamp one suggesting a possibility of two different manufacturing locations.. In contrast, the first lamp is accurately described in the sale as standing approximately 18 1/2 inches tall from its brass base to the top edge of its socket. The socket is approximately 2.5 inches tall, the lamp base and shell measure approximately 16 inches. This is a much taller lamp. The Q F round consists of a fixed artillery shell consisting of two parts: the brass cartridge containing the powder propellent and firing primer and the upper iron projectile containing the fuse and 374 shrapnel balls. The lamp is made from the upper projectile and its fuse. Military markings are found on one side of the lower projectile’s body. For example, the first lamp specimen with the black tag at its base is marked on its side as follows: Q.F. 18 Pr III F.S. unidentifiable logo? a large C with an A inside 27-2-15 BE The second lamp’s body (the lamp lacking the black tag and fuse) is marked as follows: 1/2 Q.F 8 Pr V F.S. C.F. 4. 4. 16 On this second lamp opposite the military markings (there is no black plate) there is also stamped: REGISTERED COLONIAL FIXTURES LTD. I assume Colonial Fixtures LTD is the manufacturer of this lamp. I understand this company was based in England and the factory made war memorabilia from authentic First War items. Below is a shell vase made by this company. I cannot see the tag, but its construction appears similar to the first lamp’s style with a tag. Maybe the tag is missing from lamp 2? The vase stand and lamp 2 are listed as measuring rather small. I do not know how to interpret the size differences provided in the descriptions. All measurements are suspect. The vase description is as follows: (I fail to see how this can be only seven inches tall, I believe 17 inches is more correct. There is more than likely a typo in the auction description). “7” tall epergne made from a bullet casing. Three clear glass vases with a raised flower design. The case is marked 1/2 O.F. 18 PS V F. S. O. F, 4416. The plate at the bottom says "The Shrapnel Stand - The Colonial Fixtures Ltd. Registered 1915.” Source: https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/antique-1915-colonial-fixtures-411350964 I have found no additional references to these Canadian or British factory made Shrapnel Lamps. I have not seen either of these lamps in person. I do not own an example. Unfortunately, each lamp has suffered the ravages of time and use, neither remains intact. It is possible that two firms, one in Canada and other in England, were making these lamps under the same name. There appears to be two styles. This situation is similar to the manufacture of the Snead Morgan VICTORY lamp (a complete projectile as the body of the lamp)and the UNCLE ED lamp (a sectionalized projectile utilized as the body of the lamp). There are two similar, but different U.S. WW I lamps marked “VICTORY” lamps. Likewise there seem to be two different lamps marked “The Shrapnel Lamp.” Another possibility is that there may have been different lamp versions made over time at the same shop. In any event, these two examples of the “Shrapnel Lamp” provide an interesting vintage WW I lamp that needs further research. I am also unsure if the actual projectile markings indicate the same size shell.

Philipj: Hello. Thank you for visiting and welcome to the Forum. I encourage you to start your own topic, which provides the venue to share your collection with fellow members. Regards, John R.

Hi, I bought this Iron Cross off ebay. It passed the magnet test but has no makers mark. It looks as though someone has tried to fix the catch on it. could someone advise if this is authentic please? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/146192589462

Light tan was worn mostly by the Luftwaffe or Kriegsmarine

All you need now is the belt. Would be nice to build up a complete Afrikakorps uniform

This was an important accessory for the Gew. 98, issued with every weapon, the Mündungsschoner Photo of a soldier of Flieger-Bataillon 2 with a Kar. 98a with Mündungsschoner, this was different, somewhat shorter and will not fit the Gew. 98

Man Hunt - Spy Thriller, old movie

First picture is very unclear

Bf 109e built at the beginning of the 1960s, propellor blades and tail wheel missing

Balkenkreuz - Anbringung von Hoheitszeichen

An odd 1980 movie with a great cast: David Niven, Gregory Peck, and Roger Moore and some older cast. It is out on DVD..

I have contacted some advanced collectors about this, but no one has been able to get more information. The straps appear to be cotton webbing or duct material (can't really tell from the photo). It also looks like the end of the strap has leather on it, you can see just below the elbow in the first image. On your box does it show where these straps would attach to?

If you look close, I bet the 5MKIR is actually stamped 5 MK I (F) not an R Sometimes the ) is written so close to the F it appears as a possible R?????? Note the above rifle is an arsenal rebuild with new electro pencil marks over the old stamped marks. You can see the older worn ghost markings... on the above photo Also a possibility if lots of wear, missing letters... see below you may have worn "...OF (F)" All speculation on my part until I see some photos Now an FTR stamp on an Enfield rifle will indicate the rifle was arsenal refurbished and or upgraded: FTR the British code for Factory Thorough Repair

Yep, photos of the receiver markings and left side strap markings. Also the lightening cuts, views of the barrel, and the wood would help. Read the post and look for lightening cuts on receiver, barrel, and the bolt ball. No "Santa Fe" mark. Yours appears as a 1944. F =Fazakerley and M/47 = BSA Shirley

could you post some pictures

I found these postcards in a local antique mall. All 3 are form the same sender, but looks like they were never mailed. Dated early 1918

I belive I have "real" jungle carbine. Serial C7658 5MKIR 11/44 on the left flat receiver Can you give some insight

This one for 395 euro in Germany, another one, same dealer, 735 !

Image of French soldiers, one with a flame thrower. Looks like the operator and his assistant are engineers from the helmet badges.

Another VB image, colorized with Lebel Rifles.

Sailors of the Japanese Submarine 1-8 having lunch with Kriegsmarine personnel in Brest

New type of Ausweis, still valid

Oberfeldwebel Oberfeldwebel Karl Bauer (1914-1966) aus Mergelstetten von der Füsilier-Kompanie 541

Kurt Bischof, 1924-2013

Lovely example

Recently got this nice Luftwaffe marksman lanyard, it is the 1938 pattern and for the 3rd award level.

That is a hard to find DVD and goes high $25-49 as new. You have to watch out for what edition you have, some DVD prints are (93min VHS), 156min. Anniversary dvd, 206 min. Blu ray DVD, and an uncensored version DVD at 4 hours. The original 1981 move was 173 min. The 4k blu ray is also 173min. see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lion_of_the_Desert

An inert Polish RG-42 Grenade. Photo source is libertytreecollectors. An interesting grenade I have never seen in the U.S. at shows. An odd shaped creature! Designed in Russia during WW2 and adopted by Eastern Bloc countries in the post war years. This is the Polish version that saw use by them until 1990. http://www.inert-ord.net/russ02i/crg42/index.html https://weaponsystems.net/system/906-RG-42 https://www.militaryfactory.com/smallarms/detail.php?smallarms_id=1232 More reference photos:

Just need to find a decent period sling for the M3, I have seen plenty of the 3 -magazine bags so far.

Here are some images of the replica grease gun, not bad considering the price. Will make a good display item.

Hello Fritz, I agree that the grease gun is not a very elegant looking weapon, in my opinion the Sten falls into the same category for me. But it was a good economic answer to help augment the shortage of SMG's such as the Thompson which was milled and took a lot of time and resources to make. I would not buy an original, but a replica being fairly cheap will do just fine for me. The grease gun, like the Sten was a very simple weapon, easy to make and operate and it used existing ammunition.

Sorry, gentlemen, but the greasegun is absolutely horrible in my opinion, not something I would buy.

I would love to get this, a little out of my price range presently.

Well, I took the plunge and got a Denix copy of the Grease gun, just it late tonight, will post images in the next day or so.

Thanks Eddieq, was having trouble finding that code.

Probably the manufacturer code

Not 100% sure, I am still researching, but perhaps an ordnance code number, daa through dzz were used in early 1941.

what does the "dag" on the label stand for?