SALES November 2021

(click on pictures to enlarge)

RCAF Officer's Fur Cold Weather Cap.

Scarce fur cap used by RCAF officers in extreme cold weather for occasions when service dress uniform is required. Excellent condition, with great label and initials stencilled inside.

SOLD

RAF Harvard AT-6 advance trainer control column "spade" grip.

Dunlop AH2242 "spade" grip (or "ring" grip to give it its correct title), which was specific to the RAF version of the North American (AT-6) Harvard advance trainer aircraft for fighter pilots. It is similar to and often confused with the Hurricane type grip, but lacks the fitting for a brake lever and cable. What is especially nice about this example is that it is fitted with the rare aluminium gun button, rather than brass. Gun button is in good working order; rotates freely and depresses just fine. Grip retains 95+% of its original factory black paint and 99% of its hard rubber coating (one very small chip at the base near where the hydraulic tubes exit). A lovely example of its type. Every RAF fighter pilot trained on one of these aircraft.

SOLD

Medal grouping and history to Mosquito pilot KIA with 264 Squadron.

Awarded posthumously to Flt. Sergeant Geortge Arthur Leek, who was killed on 13 April, 1945 (less than a month before the war ended), the grouping comprises the 39-45 Star, Africa Star, Italy Star, Defence and War Medal, together with photocopies of photographs, brief history and documentation about his death and grave and the official report of the crash in which he and his navigator died. A sad and poignant reminder - but nice to have a name and a story to a grouping of medals.

SOLD

RAF Type 28 Microphone Assembly for Type E, E* or G oxygen mask.

RAF Type 28 Microphone Assembly, complete with receivers, for Type E, E* or G oxygen mask, in exceptional condition. A superb example of this now scarce accessory, comprising a Type 27 carbon microphone, wired to an external Type Q cord for the Type B and early, unwired Types C, D or E helmet, and fitted with Type 32 low impedance telephone receivers. Microphone retains 95% of original paint and cord still has its paper label attached. Extremely rare to find in such great condition.

SOLD

RAF breathing tube for the Type G or H oxygen mask.

Superb breathing tube for the Type G or H oxygen mask. No cracks or wear on the rubber tube which is secured to the Air Ministry marked brass Mk IV bayonet connector and clothing clip at one end, and the plastic screw connector for the mask at the other. Bothe ends secured with linen twine. An unissued example that would be very difficult to upgrade.

SOLD

RAF Water Sterilization Kit for the Beadon Suit Survival Kit.

Small tin container with a hinged lid containign two bottles of water sterilization tablets: 50 blue Thio tablets and 50 white sterilization tablets. All contents still present. Instructions are printed on the inside of the tin lid. Tin is in excellent condition with some surface oxidation but no damage. A must for the Beadon suit and other RAF survival kit containers.

SOLD

RAF Type E* (E-star) oxygen mask with Type 48 mic.

Very good example of the Type E* oxygen mask, the final modification of the first rubber mask issued to RAF pilots and aircrews. Black rubber body is in excellent condition, still pliable with no damage or weak areas. Good strap which retains elasticity, good Type 48 microphone (Type 25 with short lead for plugging into internally wired Type C, D or E helmet). Inlet valve tube and expiration valve still present as is chamois edging. Never a common mask, good examples are now getting harder and harder to find.

SOLD

AAF 5th AF enlisted man's uniform Ike jacket, trousers, overseas cap and tie.

A lovely piece of history to a man who served with the 5th Air Force - and with a name and good selection of medal ribbons, worthy of researching. The uniform has been stored since the end of the war, but sadly, moths or similar insects found their way to it. It has some damage, though in fairness it could be a lot worse. See photos for details and please ask questions. jacket has 5th AF patch, collar devices, engineer's sleeve badge, "ruptured duck" and chevrons for private 1st class. Cap has early heavy style blue/yellow piping and fabulous red satin lining - named to Stimson with service number. Trousers are high quality doeskin felt and have the least amount of mothing - a couple of holes at the top near the fly but otherwise very good. Tie has some stains. Overall the uniform displays OK and could no doubt be improved, but sold as is.

SOLD

Superb WWI French "FIX" eagle "wings" badge.

Full sized gold badge, 2.75" (7cm) across, featuring an eagle in flight. History tells us that a high ranking Royal Navy officer purchased one of the badges for his wife and liked it so much that he insisted it be adopted as the flying badge for the RNAS - and later of course it became the cuff and shoulder badge for the RAF. Unofficially they do appear to have been worn as wings by the RNAS. It has no markings except the name "FIX" (the Paris jeweller who supplied the badges). It is absolutely exquisite in its detail. A beautiful, if unofficial, highly sought after Great War flying badge.

SOLD

RAF wartime navigator's log book to an observer with 108 Squadron flying Beaufighters and Mosquitoes.

This is an example of a "make up" log book, intended to replace a lost or missing log book, which happened quite often in overseas combat theatres. Named to Flight Sergeant R.D. Dimond, it contains only 5 completed pages, showing his qualifiations, training and a summary of his service as a radio observer with 108 squadron (Beaufighters and Mosquitoes) from August 1943 until July 1944 in Malta and Italy. It is signed to verify his qualifications and service by his training officers and by A.J. Barnham, CO of 108 Squadron. There are no details of any of his missions, which is a great shame, but was often all that could be supplied to replace a log book "lost in action" so that an airman could show his next CO, apply for awards etc. Excellent condition and definitely worthy of research.

SOLD

RAF 1940 Pattern Flying Boots. A restoration project or display as is.

A pair of RAF 1940 Pattern Flying Boots in need of some work - or could be displayed as is just to show the type. The downside: right boot has a broken zip which has already been replaced but the replacement is broken; rubber coating around foot section of both boots has hardened and is coming off. The upside: left boot has a perfect functioning Lightning zip; the brown suede is in very good condition; fleece linings are excellent; both have original soles and heels. To restore these boots, the rest of the hardened rubber needs to be chipped off and cleaned up, then painted with several coats of black rubber based paint; then the zip needs to be replaced with a correct period Lightning zip. Priced according to condition.

SOLD

Incredible AAF suitcase with scrap book, uniform, flying kit and more to 8th Air Force navigator / bombardier.

All to one man, Flight Officer Lyle E. Andler, 615 Bomb Squadron, 401st Bomb Group, Jan-April 1945. Please study photos for everything that is included, and do not hesitate to email with any questions. Partial list includes B-6 flying helmet, headset, crusher with Warrant Officer badge, cased Air Medal, "chocolate" shirt with tie + insignia, pinks, 3" bombardier wings, 2" navigator wings, dog tags and other insignia; complete washroll kit with everything including razor and toothpaste, sunglasses, writing kit with V-mail, winged prop door hanger, chess set, sewing kit, button kit, bible, silk scarf and overseas cap. The crowning glory is the huge 10" x 12" scrap book/photo album/journal, which has all his documentation and complete mission record plus 17 large format target photos, 26 more photos (air to air, crew etc), newspaper clippings of all missions, tickets and programs, his personal notes and tons more. A wealth of information, all contained in a period suitcase with a handpainted AAF patch glued to the front.

SOLD

Leather jerkin as worn by RAF ground crews, British Army etc. with 1939 date.

The ubiquitous leather jerkin worn by all branches of the British military, from WWI and throughout WWII. It was worn over the uniform or overalls for protection from spills, tool gouges etc. In the RAF, all ground crews, riggers, fitters, mechanics, etc wore them. Dark brown leather is nice and supple, with some scuffing and one small area of damage to the front right hand side (doesn't show when fastened). Brown cotton lining with a clear date stamp of 1939. All buttons present and appear to be original. Nice example, taking into account the one small damaged area.

SOLD

English Civil War / Colonial America period c.1650

siege weight armour for a pikeman, with helmet.

Extremely nice and very heavy set of pikeman's armour, comprising a seige weight breast plate of forged steel with matching left and right tassets (thigh protectors) and "pikeman's pot" helmet. The attachment of the tassets to the fauld is unusual: threaded posts and hand-made wingnuts securing the ornate brass hinges in place. The threads appear to be hand cut and similar threaded posts are attached to the shoulders and each side of the waist on the breast plate for secusing the straps of the back plate. The breast plate is hallmarked "M". The breast plate is very heavy, almost 1/4-inch thick and decorated with rivets and incised lines. The waist section or fauld, for supporting the tassets, is riveted to the breast plate. The edges of the tassets are rolled and have a traditional decorative pattern in rivets and incised lines. The helmet is in two pieces, hammered and joined with a centre seam and raised comb, and similarly decorated with rivets. The riveted leather band, albeit hardened, remains inside. There is a slot for a panache suggesting this was possibly made for an officer. Lovely even patina to the armour and some overall pitting.

SOLD

RAF Type C helmet FIRST internally wired model in excellent condition.

Absolutely superb RAF Type C flying helmet, the very first internally wired model (issued 1943). This is guaranteed wartime production, having a lovely crisp Air Ministry A-crown-M stamp alongside the stores ref. no. 22c/878 (size 2, medium). Helmet is in excellent condition, showing only the lightest use. Soft pliable leather and clean chamois with no damage, clean velvet brow lining, good rubber earcups, full wired with Type 16 receivers, excellent wiring and plug. The number 528 is inked inside both ears and the name B. Sedgwick and ATC added in the left - not sure if that's Air Transport Command or Air Training Corps. It's a treat to find one of these in such good shape and a nice crisp A-crown-M mark. They are actually starting to get quite scarce.

SOLD

RAF Type E internally wired helmet in size 4, excellent condition.

Excellent example of the Airtex mesh helmet issued in tropical regions from December 1944 on, in a scarce size 4 (extra-large). Fully wired with Air Ministry marked Type 32 receivers. Very clean helmet with no damage and very little sign of use. Faint number "4" stamped inside the right hand side but no other visible markings. Clean inside and out with one small frayed area on the chin strap and a little oxidation on the press stud/snap fasteners. As with all flying helmets these days, getting harder and harder to find, especially the large sizes in this kind of condition.

SOLD

RAF Type G oxygen mask, size medium in superb condition.

Now becoming quite difficult to source, Tyoe G oxygen masks are also beginning to deteriorate with age, making good examples even harder to find. This example is in absolutely amazing condition; the rubber is as soft and pliable as the day it was made. Though slightly grubby from age and/or storage, it shows absolutely none of the usual stress cracking. The lugs holding the nosewire and strap wire are strong and without any signs of distress; the edge of the mask is completely flexible and the suede lining shows no soiling or signs of use. The mask is fitted with a nice A-crown-M marked Type 48 microphone and gauze screen. The harness still has elasticity (one original yellow rubber band remains in place). Very, very difficult to find in this condition.

SOLD

RAF Emergency Flying Ration Mk III, dated 4.45 for the Beadon Suit, complete with contents.

Stores ref. 27P/19 the Mk III offered key opening (instead of use of a coin as on the Mk II). Issued with the Beadon suit and also carried in the dinghy pack. Wartime escape and emergency ration tins with all contents intact are extremely rare. This example is in excellent condition, no dings or dents, just a few surface marks. Unopened with all contents intact. Tin is well marked and dated on the back 4.45. The only thing absent is the original "key" for opening the tin. Note: not sold as a food item - contents are over 75 years old!

SOLD

RAF headed notepaper memo pad dated 11, 1944.

Almost full and unused notepad, with ROYAL AIR FORCE header. A few sheets missing but still over half-an-inch thick. Paf originally had 100 sheets and my guess is it still has at least 90. 6.5" x 4.25" (17cm x 11cm) with a dotted and perforated line to tear off memos. These were used in aircraft to pass messages between crew members thus preserving radio silence. Alternate printed and blank sheets and though the first few sheets have some minor edge tears, 90% of the pad is i perfect condition.

SOLD

WWII RN tropical shoulder boards for Lieutenant Commander.

Scarce tropical version of the Royal Navy shoulder rank boards for a Lieutenant Commander. KC plastic buttons and silk rank lace. Excellent condition. Worn by all RN regular officers, including members of the Fleet Air Arm.

SOLD

Lifeline for early 1941 Pattern Mae West. Unissued condition.

Lifeline / toggle for the early issue 1941 Pattern Mae West. Comprises a length of rope cord with a loop on one end for sewing to vest and a toggle for securing to life raft or to other crew members in the water. This would be secured inside the left front lobe of the vest, in the compartment behind the stole/bladder. Often missing and getting harder to find. Later issued examples used a nut-and-bolt style connector for securing the dinghy, often attached to the grab handles on the vest. Perfect, unissued condition.

SOLD

Exceptional RAF service dress tunic by Gieves dated 10/42 named to Flight Lieutenant.

When it comes to quality tailoring of unfjorms. there is none better than Gieves, and this is a quite superb example of a Gieves RAF service dress jacket. Named to B.C. Cobley and dated 10/42, the tunic features a lovely heavily padded pilot wing brevet and medal ribbons to the chest. Evidently while owning this tunic Cobley was promoted from Flying officer to Flight Lieutenant, because the two rows of rank lace do not match. Excellent condition showing very light wear and no sign of moth or any other damage or excessive wear. A Great display example.

SOLD

RAF Battle of Britain Mk IIIa flying goggles.

Superb pair of Mk IIIa goggles. Clean frames with 95+% blackened/painted finish, both stoppers and trumpets still present, lenses with minimal surface scratches, excellent strap with no issues on the cloth covered springs, clear A-crown-M stamp and nomenclature. Faint date code looks like 37. Clean velvet pads to back show little or no sign of use or wear, some hardening to foam filling. It would be difficult to find a better looking pair.

SOLD

RAF oxygen tube for G and H masks with scarce bail-out attachment.

Rare wartime oxygen tube for the Type G and H mask fitted with the very scarce bail-out attachment which conncted to a narrow tibe and to the small oxygen supply bottle carried in the pocket of the parachute seat pack. Used by high-altitude PR (Photo Recon) pilots and fighter pilots late in the war. Excellent condition, tube is pliable with no damage. Fitted with Mk IV bayonet connector and clothing clip as well as plastic screw in end for mask and thin internal oxygen supply tube.

SOLD

RAF oxygen tube for the Type G mask - scarce early narrow type.

Very scarce early narrow tube for the Type G oxygen mask. Fitted with plastic screw-in connector for mask-end and brass Mk IV bayonet connector with clothing clip at the other end. Minor surface crazing inside the corrugations as is typical, and very slightly squeezed near the bayonet connector end from storage, but barely noticeable and no damage; the tube is completely pliable and in very good condition.

SOLD