SALES AUGUST 2022

(click on pictures to enlarge)

Luftwaffe oxygen mask connector and clothing clip by Auer.

Rare original end connector and clothing clip for a Luftwaffe oxygen mask, by Auer. This type would fit any WWII Luftwaffe oxygen mask, including the 10-69, 10-67, 10-6701 and 10-6702. Retrieved from a relic mask, a small piece of the clip has broken away but this does not affect the operation of the clip, which

operates perfectly and has a good solid working spring. The clip does not rotate on the shaft of the connector because the "U" clip has fused to the tube. Clip is marked AB (the code for Auer). For any mask missing its connector this would improve the appearance and authenticity 100%. An extremely rare accessory.

SOLD

WWI 1915 pattern French officer's horizon blue uniform tunic and kepi.

Lovely worn example of a French officer's 1915 pattern horizon blue uniform, including a matching kepi cap. Sleeve insignia indicate he was a lieutenant and the collar insignia indicate he was in the quartermasters depot, though the kepi badge looks like hospital corps. All buttons are original and match except one small epaulette button which while original, is a different pattern. It was quite a common tradition that when an officer transferred from one branch to another, he would retain one button from his previous corps or regiment. The tunic is in very good condition, with a few minor repairs, some wear and tear to the inside and one part of the lining replaced (old repair). The tailoring is quite exquisite, very high quality and finish (note for example the beautifully finished French cuffs). The kepi is in similar very good condition with no damage or excessive wear. I am not an expert in French uniforms of the period but I do know quality tailoring! This would make a superb display.

SOLD

WW1 binoculars to a Lieutenant -

machine gun officer with the 6th Northumberland Fusiliers, killed at Ypres.

A fantastic and poignant piece of history from the Great War. These binoculars were the property of Lt. William Holmes Collinson of the 6th Northumberland Fusiliers, who was killed on January 5th, 1916 at Ypres at age 21. The binoculars were clearly used in action and were perhaps picked up by someone in his battalion, because another name is handwritten in the lid of the case; but the case is embossed with the initials W.H.C. and the binoculars are deeply engraved with his name and regiment. Made by Negretti & Zambra of London, the binoculars were privately purchased, as officers were required to do in the early days of the war. One eyepiece has been replaced during their working life. Optics are good but they could do with cleaning. Overall very good condition, retaining strap on binoculars and case. Some history of Holmes Collinson and his obituary is included in the images. A sad reminder of what a waste of life the Great War was, especially the many lives lost at the various battles at Ypres. Collinson is buried in Flanders but there is a memorial to him in Yorkshire, England.

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RAF official Combat Report pro-forma for 106 Squadron.

100% genuine original Pro-forma combat report for a claim of damage to an FW190 on the night of 21/22 March, 1945 during a raid on Hamburg. This is a second layer copy (carbon) but is signed in full on the reverse by the pilot of the aircraft as well as the CO of 106 squadron and the base commander, so it was obviously taken seriously! A lot of detail in the report which states the rear gunner of the Lancaster was able to shoot the FW 190 after his guns had appeared to jam. Genuine original examples of actual combat reports are quite scarce and tell a great story; each is unique. An excellent example in very good condition and makes an excellent display item in any Bomber Command collection.

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RAF Air Ministry marked Mk III CL* goggles, Battle of Britain era, dated 1939.

Very good pair of RAF Mk III flying goggles - these are the Air Ministry marked issue, quite scarce and typical of the type worn during the Battle of France and Battle of Britain. Lenses are a little scratched and the right one is slightly rippled but no shrinkage or warping as so many are. Leather is good, but internal stuffing on pads has hardened. Frames are great and still have both stoppers in place. Strap is excellent with all springs functioning and well marked with A-crown-M and stores ref. data and 39 date. A good set of scarce goggles.

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RCAF Mk III flying goggles dated 1942.

RCAF Mk III flying goggles. The Canadian made version of the Mk III flying goggles which are essentially identical in design and which remained the primary issue goggles until at least 1942. This pair is marked RCAF with stores ref. data and 1942 date. There is also a white ink stamp on the inside of the leather nose guard, looks like a stylized AW in a circle? Leather is excellent and pads remain soft and flexible. Lenses are good, with minor surface scratches, frames are good though show quite a bit of black paint loss. Both stoppers are present. Strap is very good with all springs functional. A decent pair. Though not as scarce or sought after as the Air Ministry marked type, they are virtually identical and work perfectly for display.

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Superb and extremely important early Great War RFC pilot's log book grouping with photo albums and documents.

The earliest RFC pilot's log book I have ever seen and quite possibly the earliest example available in the collector market place. Reginald Collis joined the newly formed Royal Flying Corps in June 1912. Trained initially as an Air Mechanic, he was quickly selected for flying training and took his first flight in January 1913, becoming only the third Air Mechanic and the 14th NCO in the RFC to receive Royal Aero Club certification. Collis knew and flew with a virtual Who’s Who of aviation greats, including Trenchard, McCudden and Lanoe Hawker. He became an instructor, training many future aviation personalities, before being sent to France as a newly-commissioned second lieutenant with 6 Squadron in June 1915. Collis experienced aerial combat in the earliest days of the war, and recorded every “dogfight”, “Archie” encounter and mechanical failure in great detail in his log book. He crashed into a gasometer and was injured and photos of him after the crash were in the log book when it was discovered. The log is a large format ledger style, completely handwritten. Collis emigrated to Canada after the war and joined the RCAF, serving as head of all training programs in WWII and retiring with the rank of Air Commodore. Collis’s unique flying log book is the subject of a new book by well-known aviation author Mark Hillier. Accompanying the log book are two important photo albums, numerous loose photographs and documents, newspaper cuttings, details of his patents, an early leather bound edition of the book Aviation in Canada, 1917-18, and a copy of Hillier’s book “Combat Flying Log” featuring research and a biography of Collis.

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RAF Mk VII flying goggles.

Good, displayable pair of Mk VII goggles. Introduced in 1941 and used throughout the war, even after the Mk VIII were introduced in late 1943. Brass frames painted ultramarine blue, with leather and chamois backed pads and elasticated webbing strap. Frames are very good, with a few minor dings and retaining about 90% of the original paint. Good clear lenses with very little sign of delamination. Leather is also very good, though internal padding has hardened somewhat. Strap has lost much of its elasticity and has a few rust stains and fraying on part of the edge, but overall not bad and all hardware is good. Goggles display well, are well above average and 100% original (not one of the many refurbs with a replaced strap). An honest pair of Mk VIIs which are getting harderto find these days.

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RAF Air Ministry Gosport receivers and tubes.

A very good set of RAF Gosport receivers and tubes (or "profanity strainers" as they were known by RAF flight instructors!). Black bakelite receibers, fabric covered flexible metal tubes and Y-connector for plugging into the system fitted in Tiger Moths and other primary trainers which every RAF pilot had to go through in their fledgling days. Very good condition, well marked with RAF stores ref. information, Connection between flexible tubes and receivers reinforced with tape.

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Breathing tube/hose for a Type G or H oxygen mask.

Excellent breathing tube or hose for the RAF Type G or H oxygen mask, complete with Mk IV connector and alligator clip at one end and the plastic screw-type connector for the mask end. Late war (wider) tube. Brass connector well-marked with A-crown-M. No visible cracks or damage, and excellent tube.

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Eagle Squadron/Combat Pilot's Association certificate of Recognition.

In 1978, the Combat Pilot's Association of America officially recognized the "eminent distinction" of the 3 RAF Eagle Squadrons (71, 121 and 133) and presented surviving members with this certificate at a reunion. This recognition was way past due but at least finally recognized the sacrifice of these men who had fought for freedom in the skies over England almost 40 years earlier. This certificate was found among some papers belonging to Edwin Dale "Jessie" Taylor and comes with a full size photo copy as well. An interesting memento of with provenance to one of the great Eagle Squadron pilots. (photo-copies of other items including a letter from Taylor's niece can be provided).

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Outstanding RAF Type E* oxygen mask with narrow tube and Type 48 microphone.

The best Type E* oxygen mask I have seen in a long time. The rubber is excellent, soft and flexible with no visible surface cracking, melting, stickiness or crisping. Very slight misshaping of the funnel from storage. Chamois lightly soiled. Excellent harness retaining full elasticity, correct early narrow breathing tube with circlip fixing to mask inlet valve and alligator clip/connector. Again, no visible cracking to corrugations. Good Type 48 microphone assembly (Type 26 microphone with short cord and helmet plug). These once seemed abundant (they weren't, but a small cache was discovered and hit the market several years ago, creating that illusion - those are now long gone). Always tough to find in this quality and condition, and with the original and correct tube.

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Extremely rare British Red Cross parcel box.

Rare to find one of these, especially in this condition. A very nice example of the British Red Cross parcel as shipped into POW camps containing food, cigarettes, games and other supplies intended to supplement the meagre rations provided by the Germans. The boxes and contents were also used to manufacture improvised escape aids and very few survived intact. No contents, though there are clear rings on the inside of the lid indicating where tinned goods once were. Box is complete, bottom and lid, undamaged and in remarkable condition, with crisp printing to the lid. Both base and lid can be folded flat for storage. Measures 13" x 7.5" x 5" (33cm x 19cm x 13cm).

SOLD

De Havilland aircraft factory worker's lapel badge.

Superb De Havilland factory worker's pinback badge, 1" x 0.625" (25mm x 15mm) in light blue enamel on polished white metal. During WWII many factories gave these small pins to their employees because they took pride in their jobs and the fact that they were contributing to the war effort. De Havilland of course designed and built several front line aircraft, most famously the all wooden Mosquito, but also the Tiger Moth trainer, Dragon Rapide, Hornet and many others besides. Lovely badge in great condition.

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RAF unwired Type D flying helmet, second/intermediate style in a rare large size.

Introduced in 1942 for use in hot desert and tropical regions, the first version (unwired pattern) Type D – like its cousin the Type C – went through a few rounds of changes in its short service life. While early production examples had the "up/down fore-and-aft" goggle straps to accommodate Mk IV goggles, the front straps were omitted from this secondary version; the leather chin strap was replaced with elastic webbing, and the oval rubber noise-attenuating earcup mouldings were moved to between the cotton outer shell and the satin/chamois lining. It still was not internally wired (that did not happen until December 1944) and had press stud/snap fastenings for the D, E, E* and G Type oxygen masks or microphone carriers. A lovely example showing light use, with a crisp WD broad arrow stampop and stores ref. number 22c/583, indicating a large size 3. A scarce helmet.

SOLD

RAF Type 26 microphone assembly complete with Type 16 receivers.

Becoming extremely difficult to find these days; this is a complete Type 26 microphone assembly fitted with type 16 receivers. Essentially what is known as an "external wiring loom" for the Type B and unwired Type C, D and E flying helmets. It comprises the Type 32 cord, Type 25 microphone, Type 119 bell-shaped plug and a pair of Type 16 receivers. All parts are in very good, used condition, though the Type 25 microphone lacks its rubber cover and has some chips out of the bakelite backing plate. A rare opportunity to complete an early RAF flying helmet.

SOLD