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SALES December 2020

(click on pictures to enlarge)

RAF silk Escape Map - Batholomew Series 9U - Germany dated 1941.

 

Very early wartime RAF silk Escape Map from the Batholomew Series, number 9U - Germany. Single side, printed in just one colour but highly-detailed escape map of Germany and it's surrounding countries. 18" x 15" (46cm x 36cm) in superb

unused condition.

SOLD

RAF Type H oxygen mask, Cold War era.

 

The perfect companion for the Type G helmet. The Type H was produced and used in WWII but continued in use until the 1980s. This example is dated 1967 and is in excellent condition, showing very light use. The rubber is clean and completely supple, elastic harness stretches like new. Complete with its microphone . cord and connector to plug into the helmet.

SOLD

Extremely rare RAF 1941 pattern Mae West CO2 inflation cartridge.

Along with the dye pack, this is without doubt the most difficult accessory to find for the 1941 pattern Mae West. These were routinely removed for storage and disposal, so unfired examples such as this are close to impossible to source - and this is only the second example I have ever seen. This is the second model – designed with a narrow waist midway down the bottle, so as to inflate in two stages and minimize the risk of bursting the stole. 

Sorry - cannot ship this overseas.

SOLD

Ditching whistle chain with paper packet.

Issue type whistle chain of the type used by military and other government departments, police etc. Photographic evidence shows these in use by RAF crews wearing the early tubular/ pealess type ditching whistle. Comes with its WD broad arrow marked paper packet. Some light oxidation which would clean up. A seldom seen accessory.

SOLD

RAF officer's shirt collar, unused and in a large size 15-1/2.

Excellent unused and still crisply starched RAF officer's detachable shirt collar by Van Heusen, well marked and sized 15-1/2. Not a commonly found accessory.

SOLD

LW aluminium breast eagle for the white summer officer's uniform.

 

Beautiful example of the LW aluminium pin-back breast eagle for the white summer uniform. Though not marked it is a textbook example of one made by FLL  (Friedrich Linden, Ludenscheid). I was skeptcal about the rough edges seen from the back of the badge but I am assured this is characteristic of the FLL dye stamp, as is the flaw on the back. Very high quality dye stamped eagle with lovely feathering details. A scarce badge. THere is one ding to the front (top of the right wing as we look at it) and a few surface scratches.

SOLD

RAF Battle of Britain era Irvin trousers dated 1940.

Sourced separately from the above jacket, but a close match in terms of colour (leather and fleece). These Irvin trousers display well and are overall in good condition. Both zips are early DOT brand and in good, smooth working order, though one is lacking its puller. Thee is some minor damage to the bottom of one leg which could be repaired if desired but doesn't affect display too badly. The straps holding the braces/suspenders have had the buckles replaced, and one of them has been installed backwards, with the leather then glued around it. I believe this could be reversed and restored, although they can be displayed just fine as is. Apart from these flaws, this is a good pair of Irvin trousers, getting harder to find all the time – especially this early production quality and with a great looking label. The label also has a name printed on: Percival.

SOLD

RAF Type D flying gauntlets.

 

A good pair of the late war Type D gauntlets. Not a true matched pair  (as most weren't), in fact one is marked size 9.5 and the other 10, although they seem the same. Good labels and excellent condition, showing little if any wear.

SOLD

POW Wartime log/diary given by YMCA to prisoners - unused.

Absolutely superb example of the log book/diary handed out to Allied Prisoners of War. This is the deluxe, large hard cover version (most I have seen were soft covers and smaller). Supplied by the YMCA and circulated through the Red Cross, these enabled prisoners to write down their thoughts and events taking place in the camps to help pass the time. There are lined pages for writing, pages with art paper for drawing or painting, and one page with cellophane envelopes for keeping small

souvenirs. Apart from a small mark on the cover, this example is in virtually mint, unused condition, and even includes the 2 letters of introduction (one in English, one in German) and the sheet of blotting paper which accompanied the book - I have NEVER seen these before! Extremely rare.

SOLD

RAF Flight Sergeant pilot's Service Dress jacket dated 1940.

A good Battle of Britain display item. 1940 dated Other Airman's service dress tunic with flight sergeant rank crowns and stripeson both sleeves, together with embroidered VR tabs, plus a nice flat embroidered pilot wing and DFM medal ribbon. The insignia are all period correct and original (with the possible exception of the VR tabs) but in my opinion have most likely been added more recently. The jacket is definitely original, complete with its machine sewn shoulder eagles, brass buttons and matching belt, as well as a great 1940 dated label. An excellent display item and a rare jacket in itself. The jacket has several very small moth holes, in the sleeve but mostly in the back, but these are very small and do not show when displayed. Obviously if named and provenanced this would be a very high priced uniform, as it is I have priced it as the "sum of the parts" - and it does display well, showing little if any wear or use.

SOLD

Extremely rare RAF Type G oxygen mask fitted with microphone heater. 

Early Type G mask, with stippled upper surface and flat hook, moulded in green, age-toned rubber. Rubber is in very good condition, with no damage or hard spots and still very pliable. Mask retains nose-wire which is securely fitted and shows only minor surface cracks on the lugs. mask is factory fitted with the extremely rare microphone heater, with the wires threaded through two tiny holes punched or drilled through the side wall of the mask. The Type 48 microphone is also sealed externally by having a different type of retaining ring fitted, the black rubber completely covering the gap at the front of the microphone and sealing it to the mask. I have never seen this type of seal before! The wiring is in good shape, though there is some minor loss of the rubber coating in one spot - this does not affect the strength or integrity of the wiring. Very slight mishaping in the nose area from storage and wear to the paint on the microphone. Mask is overall slightly grubby and age-toned and has what appears to be some tiny spatters of white or light grey paint to one side (barely visible - see pictures). These microphone heaters were worn primarily by air gunners in turrets and other exposed positions, where wind chill could freeze moisture trapped inside. However, they were not popular nor particularly successful and soon replaced by a simple wire mesh screen. Extremely rare.

SOLD​

Rare WWII narrow oxygen tube/hose for early Type G mask.

 

Getting very difficult to find these days, original wartime narrow gauge oxygen tube for the early Type G mask. Very good used comdition, with some slight  surface cracks in between corrugations and at either end, but no serious damage and perfectly flexible for display. Slight distortion at the mask end from being stored or displayed on a mask for a long time. Both connector ends are taped over the binding which was fairly common. 

SOLD​

AAF ANH-15 flying helmet, size Large in excellent condition.

 

Excellent example of the standard summer / warm weather flying helmet of the AAF from 1943 until the end of the war. Unlined cotton helmet with chamois "donuts" for noise attenuation. Shows very light use. Good label to Bates Shoe Company. Very generous large size.

SOLD

WWII / Korean war US Navy Mk 13 flare/smoke canister.

The last pyrotechnic signaling device developed  for the US Navy in world war two and introduced in 1945. It featured a signal flare at one end, for night use, and a smoke signal at the other end, for daytime use. This example, in excellent,  unissued condition, is dated April 1952, so would have been available for use in the Korean War. It fits a designated compartment in the Mk II life vest. Perfect condition, unused, retaining both paper end covers.

 

SOLD​

RAF ditching whistle together with "dog tags".

 

Nice original example of the RAF "snail" or "pea" whistle commonly known as a ditching whistle because it was used to contact fellow crew members after force landing or ditching. Often worn on the Battle Dress or Mae West, it was also tied to the identity discs or "dog tags" on occasion as in this case; attached to pair of RAF "dog tags" tied together with a length of parachute cord. Whistle shows some loss of chrome plating from wear but works fine.

SOLD​

RAF Mk IVB Goggles, boxed with all accessories.

 

Battle of Britain issue (announced in AMOs, June 1940) RAF Mk IVB flying goggles in excellent condition, in their original box, complete with all accessories. Goggles are very good, with no dings or dents to the frame, rubber cushions have hardened as per usual, but not badly misshapen like most. Ear loops are excellent and strap is perfect with crisp embossed markings.  Lenses show very minimal signs of delamination. Leather nose piece is a little dry. Box shows some wear externally but no damage. Contents include the polarizing sun screen (attached), full set of guide plates for attaching to helmet, including copper rivets and "sliders" with snaps for attaching to loops of goggles for affixing to helmet; extra tinted lenses; tool for undoing central bridge nut, "Everclear" demisting stick; leather brow extender for sewing to helmet. Rare to find 100% complete sets any more and this is in excellent condition.

SOLD​

RAF/RCAF observer parachute harness dated 3/43.

Rare RAF/RCAF Observer parachute harness. All wartime parachute equipment is getting extremely difficult to find these days. Though not marked, this appears to be Canadian made and is of extremely high quality, dated March 1943. All webbing complete and in excellent condition, has not been cut and joined as so many are. All fittings are heavily chrome plated. The quick release box was originally circular but has been modified by cutting/filing one edge flat (a standard practice to enable the user to know whether it was locked or not when jumping in the dark - this was later incorporated into the design of all parachute harnesses). Green canvas back cushion. Excellent condition and very high quality. Extremely difficult to find nowadays.

SOLD​

Lovely 1939 dated RAF 1933 Pattern Flying Gauntlets, a rare matched pair.

Classic flying gauntlets, known as "straight zip" type, dated 1939 so a perfect representation for the Battle of Britain. Unusually these are a perfect matching pair, the leather both inside and out being identical in colour, style and pattern. Size 8 and well marked, with both bearing identical Air Ministry markings, matching contract numbers and even the same AID inspection number (also rare). Evidently made in the same factory before the decision to make left and right gloves separately was enacted - making this a rare find. The gloves show use but no abuse, with a couple of small nicks on the fingers of the left hand (perhaps from the throttle quadrant). Matching zips both work perfectly. All in all a lovely example of these iconic flying gloves made of high quality leather and both well marked.

SOLD​

RAF Battle of Britain 1936 pattern Flying Boots, named.

Very good used pair of 1936 pattern flying boots, the classic battle of Britain issue, but also much coveted by USAAF flyers when they arrived in England (Remember 12 O'Clock High?). This is a nice early pair dated 1937, size 7 (UK) and in very good condition. The leather is soft and pliable, the fleece lining is good with a few small worn areas (inside the ankle area) but no damage. They have been resoled and heeled, but it looks period. Nice embossed Air Ministry tabs on pullers and inked name of J. Greenhalgh - so worth researching. Still the iconic RAF flying boots of the war and getting very difficult to source in such good condition.

SOLD​

Fantastic and incredibly rare 1941 pattern Mae West, complete with stole, inflation lever, kapoks, dye pack, floating light and rare 2-piece dinghy knife. Named and with owner's kit bag

 

1941 pattern life jacket, complete with very rare dye pack, floating light, stole (bladder) with lever mechanism and kapok pads,  dinghy attachment connector, toggle and rope and extremely rare early dinghy knife with concealed sharp pointed knife. Named to a Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm aircrewman together with his named kit bag. Life vest is an early "flap" type (flap correctly removed) with great Air Ministry label. Kit bag is Air Ministry marked and dated 1941. Dye pack has evidently become wet at some point and has "leaked" slightly onto part of the vest and the kit bag. Floating light is in very good condition; rubber coating on wires intact but hardened. Other than the dye staining, vest is in very good condition, with all snaps, zip, buttons etc. in excellent working order. Stole is dated 6/44 and remains flexible. Set of 3 early oilcloth kapoks installed. Leather and canvas knife scabbard is sewn to the front of the mae west (per AFOs). Worth reiterating that this version of the knife is extremely rare; the sharp secondary knife was for puncturing the dinghy in the event of accidental inflation inside the aircraft and could also be used for fish gutting (the handle is wrapped with twine which could be used as fishing line). Both items are named to P. R. Barnes.

SOLD

RAF Mk II Reflector Gunsight in transit case.

 

Excellent RAF Mk II Reflector Gunsight in its original wooden transit case. The Mk II was identical to the Mk I except that the projected image was specifically for use in night fighters and comprised a dot with 2 small arcs in white. This example is in near perfect condition, with one very tiny chip in the corner of the glass. 1941 dated, this type probably would have been fitted to a Hurricane or possibly a Beaufighter or Mosquito night fighter. Includes detachable light housing with cord and Air Ministry marked plug (often missing). Nice solid wooden box with baize fabric to protect the sight. Very difficult to find such good examples; lacks bulb but these are fairly easy to locate.

SOLD

Great War Royal Flying Corps officer's uniform jacket.

 

Royal Flying Corps uniform jacket, late wartime period, with shoulder rank indicating a First Lieutenant. Gilt/brass pips and 2 beautiful matched bronze cap badges installed as collar badges, good gilt RFC buttons. Jacket is extremely well tailored in high grade wool and shows no damage or excessive wear on the outside, except one epaulette has come slightly unstitched at the shoulder (easy repair). There is some indication that it may have been converted from a cuff rank tunic (the scalloped cuffs being a slightly different nap and very slight signs of former stitching). There is also a very faint sign that it may have had a wing at one time. Minor wear and tears to the neck on the inside. Fitted with a chain for hanging. No internal pockets, no name tag or ID, but a beautiful jacket.  

SOLD

RAF mess dress jacket and waistcoat ID'd to a notable Battle of Britain fighter pilot.

 

1935 dated, Gieves-tailored mess dress jacket and waistcoat formerly worn by Battle of Britain  Hurricane pilot Wing Commander Roddick Lee Smith. This uniform came from a private collection and originally had a note from Smith in the pocket (now lost, but I have a copy). The printed and named Gieves label is dated  3/35 which corresponds precisely with Smith's original short service commission date with the RAF (there were no other R.L. Smiths listed in the RAF at that time). Condition is very good with no damage or mothing. Smith's personal account of the Battle makes for good reading (I will enclose a copy if buyer is interested). He stayed in the RAF until 1962, adding rank lace and a later Queen's Crown bullion pilot wing to this mess dress tunic. A great piece of RAF Battle of Britain history.

SOLD

WWII US Army musette bag.

Green canvas bag with shoulder strap. Very good conditin if slightly grubby,  no damage or wear. Make r marked and dated 1944.

SOLD

AAF Navigator's Flight log sheet (unused).

AAF Form 21-A1, dated September 15, 1942. For AAF navigators to fill in every detail of their flight; course bearings, fuel consumption, as well as comments and notes about the flight etc. Folded - opens up to 26" x 20" with every bit of space taken up. Just shows how much work was expected of navigators! A superb display item for any AAF bombing scene. Unused, in mint condition.

SOLD

14 original WWII AAF crew / aircraft photographs. 

 

14 original wartime photos portraying aircraft, airfields, crashes and crew members. None are captioned so some research is required. Largest is 5.5" x 4" (140mm x 100mm)  and smallest is 2.75" x 1.75" (70mm x 45mm) all are excellent quality.

 

SOLD

USA made RCAF officer's service dress tunic with WAG wing.

 

Excellent privately tailored officer's service dress jacket with pilot officer's rank lace to sleeves, superb, heavily padded swept RCAF WAG wing and medal ribbon to left breast. The WAG wing is one of the more scarce aircrew brevets, never being terribly popular with crews - it stands for Wireless Operator Air Gunner and while many crew members were qualified as both radio men and gunners, they generally preferred one of the other of the more established badges. The tunic is labeled to a Canadian tailor but also bears the American Authority label suggesting it was made in the USA. Excellent condition with no damage or wear evident.

SOLD

Great  WWII "Home Front" item: Air Raid Precautions officer's shoulder bag.

 

Khaki cotton bag with a wide webbing shoulder strap, for carrying a gas mask, torch, probably a first aid kit, blackout accessories and anything else needed to perform his or her duties during the back out. The pattern is identical to a standard army issue bag but made from a lighter cotton drill fabric. Excellent condition and very clean showing only light use and no damage. There is a code printed inside the flap which appears to read 1952. The ARP, along with all other Civil Defence organizations, was disbanded in 1945 so I do not believe this number is a date but just an inventory or item code.

SOLD

WWII tin containing full roll of Elastoplast sticking plaster/bandage.

 

War Time Container (as printed on the side of the tin) which contains a full roll of "Elastoplast" brand elastic adhesive bandage, 2-1/2 inches wide and 5-6 yards when stretched out. Includes printed instruction sheet. This is in amazing condition for its age. What I find fascinating is the "Elastoplast" logo looks exactly like the crosses on German enemy aircraft! I wonder if they had to change that? A scarce war time item, ideal for either a military or or Home Front display.

SOLD

1941 dated RNZAF officer's Khaki Dress jacket.

 

Excellent example of a British made, Air Ministry marked KD jacket with a full set of Royal New Zealand Air Force brass buttons and detachable epaulettes for an officer. Though the label is washed out somewhat, it is clearly marked a size 10, with a nice A-crown-M stamp, maker John Gordon & Co. and clear date of 1941. Overall very good condition, with light wear but no damage, there is also evidence of a pilot wing having been sewn on at some time. Includes the belt and buckle.

SOLD​

US Army Air Force officer’s custom tailored “Ike” jacket by a private English tailor.

US Army Air Force officer’s “Ike” jacket, custom tailored by Chester Barrie in England. A lovely custom tailored jacket with no less than three separate labels inside: The standard tailor's label, plus the tailor's customer label (stamped but not filled out) plus  the addition of an “official” approved UK government label, complete with broad arrow mark, making it somewhat unusual. Excellent condition. No insignia and a slightly unusual pattern.

SOLD

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