Uniforms / Hats
(click on pictures to enlarge)
Fantastic pre-war/WWII rare US Army "Dress Whites" uniform complete: visor cap, tunic and trousers.
Extremely rare uniform: the "Dress Whites" were considered "optional" and only ever authorized for wear in the tropics and hot countries. The US Army equivalent of the US Navy whites, this particular pattern was introduced in 1938 but suspended in 1941 with war on the horizon (those that had it could still wear it but no more were to be made). It reappeared some time after WWII and remained in use until 1959 with the USAF and 1968 with the army - but later variants tended to be made of cheaper, synthetic materials. This example is high quality linen, with satin lining, hand tailored by David Wong, Hong Kong and Japan. Though it might possibly be immediate post-war, it is more likely that a Hong Kong tailor would have a branch in Japan before hostilities than afterwards, when British and Chinese relations were more strained (prior to the war, trade relations between British Hong Kong and Japan were at their height). Though this uniform is not identified, it bears the rank of major. It seems likely that an officer stationed in Hawaii might well buy himself a uniform from a superior custom tailor in Hong Kong. Condition is fantastic; no damage, no staining. Workmanship is exquisite, reflecting the time period and the quality of Hong Kong tailoring. The cap, though matching, is a US made "Berkshire" built on the basketwork frame typical of the pre-war era. A rare and superb uniform.
$450 /£350 / €410 email to secure this item
Pre-WW2 US Army Air Corps dress gloves in white leather.
Beautiful pair of white calf skin gloves, never worn. Part of the US army full dress uniform (known as "dress whites") prior to 1941. marked with ref. numbers and size medium. Excellent condition.
$45 / £35 / €40 email to secure this item
RAF long sleeved Airtex Bush Shirt, 1945 dated, with superb detachable padded pilot wing.
Long sleeved RAF Bush Shirt, made from tan/khaki Airtex fabric with 4 pockets, vented back and open collar. Fitted with correct brown "army" style buttons to front and epaulettes, with trouser buttons to sleeves. Both sleeve buttons missing to left sleeve but easily replaced. Great label, dated 1945 and maker marked to Frazer and Haughton, Cullybackey. Shirt has a lovely RAF pilot wing secured by 3 small poppers. Silk, hand embroidered (early) wing with paper backing, well worn and grubby but totally complete. The wing alone is worth the value of the shirt! No holes or damage to the shirt. Lacks belt which is not uncommon - pilots invariably discarded belts because they were uncomfortable under parachutes and mae wests.
$250 / £190 / €225 email to secure this item
Scarce RNZAF officer's Service Dress tunic to a pilot / Squadron Leader.
Another scarce Commonwealth uniform item. This RNZAF service dress tunic features a superb pair of heavily padded pilot wings which appear to be Canadian made (from the red silk in the crown) and medal ribbons which include the 39-45 star, Air Crew Europe Star with rosette for France and Germany clasp, victory and defence medals. It has NZ marked buttons and correct officer's New Zealand shoulder tabs, and is in overall excellent condition with no damage and very little wear. The extra lace for Squadron Leader was evidently added following promotion because it shows less fading than the wider bands. Sadly there is no ID inside the tunic, nor any evidence of a tag, so cannot be identified, but is a lovely example of a scarce an authentic wartime tunic.
ON HOLD
RAF loose/separate shirt collar dated 1942.
Very high quality RAF shirt collar, though the slightly darker blue grey colour as worn by other ranks rather than the lighter blue of an officer. It may just be because the collar is a bit grubby, but it is in very good condition, with no excessive wear and no fraying or damage. Well marked to a private maker and dated 1942.
$25 / £20 / €23 email to secure this item
RAF officer's peaked service dress cap in a large size 7-3/8.
Absolutely superb wartime RAF / RCAF officer's peaked service dress cap in a very large size 7-3/8. Blue wool barathea is in excellent condition, with no wear or damage. Oilcloth liner and leather sweatband and still has its paper size tag attached indicating maker of Glenallan. May have been Canadian made from the characteristic grouping of four grommeted eyelets at the rear of the cap as well as two on each side, and uncovered black plastic buttons. Patent leather chin strap. A lovely cap in a super large size.
$245 / £195 / €220
Royal Navy VR (Aviation) uniform jacket and Warm named to a DSC winner with some historical significance.
Fleet Air Arm Uniform jacket and overcoat (Warm) both named to Peter Ernest Cumberland, a pilot with 825 squadron flying from HMS Vindex who received Mention in Despatches for 2 attacks on U-Boats in April 1944 and the DSC in December 1944. Jacket has Lieutenant rank lace with the "A" in the curl, pilot wing and medal ribbons for DSC , 39-45 Star and oak leaf for the MID. Sadly the jacket has some moth damage to the front (which shows up far worse in the pictures than in person). This jacket was worn on operations and being of historic significance it is well worth preserving; and with professional care, it could be restored. Gieves label inside pocket has Cumberland's information and date of July 1943. The overcoat (Warm) is in very good condition, with a couple of minor moth tracks but nothing serious. A beautiful and quite heavy wool coat with an embroidered name tag sewn inside.
$350 / £280 / €315 email to secure this item
Identified RAF Air Gunner Service Dress tunic and dog tags with some cursory research.
A lovely example of an officer's service dress tunic with Flying Officer rank label to the sleeves, nice Air Gunner brevet and medal ribbon bar. Comes with the officer's dog tags / Identity disk named to FO Atkinson, who flew with 97 squadron and was awarded the 39-45 Star, Aircrew Europe Star plus France and Germany Bar and Defense Medal. Tunic is in overall very good condition, with just one small moth nip to the collar. A good displayable uniform item with enough history to get started!
$275 / £220 / €250 email to secure this item
RAF Regiment army battledress blouse.
1943 dated, 1940 pattern army battledress blouse in khaki wool, with printed shoulder titles for both the Buffs and the RAF Regiment. The blouse also has WWI medal ribbons and the army rank of major. Though unnamed, it would seem this army officer with WWI experience was probably seconded to the RAF Regiment as an instructor in WWII and thus entitled to wear both sets of shoulder flashes - which was quite unusual. BD is in very good condition, with a few worn spots and a couple of moth nips, mostly out of sight for display.
$225 / £180 / €205 email to secure this item
Complete WWII US Navy Air Gunner's uniform: cap, jumper and trousers with all insignia.
A superb example of a complete US Navy aircrew / air gunner's uniform, ready to display. Comprises blue "donald duck" style cap with US Navy ribbon. bell-bottom trousers with all buttons and ties, plus navy blue "jumper" with built in collar and all correct, wartime insignia. Includes Air Gunner's First Class badge to right sleeve, ratings badge to the rank of Petty Officer, Second Class indicating air branch to left sleeve, pinback sterling Meyer hallmarked combat aircrew wing with 2 "stars" and medal ribbon bar. The ruptured duck is also sewn to the jumper. All in excellent, used but not abused or damaged condition. No labels or ID that I can find, but 100% original.
$195 /£145 / €165 email to secure this item
WWII US Navy aircrew ensign's visor cap plus a wonderful and extensive grouping of accessories all named with photos etc.
All the hard-to-find accessories for completing a uniform display. Comprises white cotton kit bag which contains the following: Nice ensign's visor cap fitted with khaki cover plus a complete set of cap covers: 3 white, one blue, one green (aviation) plus the waterproof cover. Green cover has some nothing but not too bad. Also includes several pairs of socks, 2 ties, 2 belts, set of unused USN buttons still in the box, superb hand-tinted photo of him wearing the cap, ID bracelet, fabulous Art Deco style leather wallet, medal ribbons, several old badges. Also includes a beautiful sterling set of boxed aircrew wings which came with this set and were originally listed separately. All items are named to F.G. Buehler (or FGB), except kit bag which is named to Robert Buehler - perhaps a relative? This is how it came.
$120 / £96 / €109 email to secure this item
WWII US Navy officer's visor cap named to a Lt. Commander.
Lovely example of a US Navy officer's cap with a beautiful, heavy cap badge and complete with bullion chin strap, patent leather peak and tan cover. Some staines to tan cover which may clean up, but no damage. named nside.
$75 / £60 /€68 email to secure this item
RAF Kings Crown WWII uniform full-size brass buttons.
A quantity of WWII period RAF uniform buttons (all full-size for tunic or greatcoat). Various different makers, including Gaunt, Firmin, etc. and styles - all with King's Crown. Let me know your needs and I will try to find matching styles while stocks last.
Price each.
$2 / £1.50 / €1.75
RAF Queen's Crown (postwar) uniform full-size brass buttons.
A quantity of postwar RAF uniform buttons (all full-size for tunic or greatcoat). Various different makers, and styles - including a few "Sta-brite" - all with Queen's Crown. Let me know your needs and I will try to find matching styles while stocks last.
Price each.
$1.30 / £1 / €1.15
WWII US Army (AAF) uniform buttons.
A small quantity of US Army uniform buttons, various sizes and styles. One full set for a uniform (4 large / 4 mall) plus a few odds including hat buttons)
Price for set of 8 $13 / £10 / €12
Price (each) loose $1.30 / £1 / €1.15