Sold Gallery
These pages display a number of the rare items that I have had the pleasure of selling. To view more details and a larger photograph please click on the thumbnail picture.
5 Commando brass shoulder title.
Good wartime 5 Commando shoulder title in brass. Cast with integral loops with the characteristic \' 5 \' typical of these titles. The brass 5 Commando shoulder title was produced during their time in the Far East and was in wear from late 1944 and was in widespread use in 1945 during their operations against the Japanese.
WW2 Combined Operations formation signs.
A good pair of unused examples. Red eagle, Tommy Gun and anchor embroidered on navy wool "tombstone". The badge was designed in 1942 by Lieutenant D.A. Grant RNVR. In excellent unmothed condition.
SOE Crimping Tool, Type 6.
Unissued SOE Crimping Tool, Type 6 , used for providing a double waterproof crimp for the No.8 or No.27 detonator used for intiating explosive charges. In excellent condition, still wrapped in the original wax paper.
Phantom Was There - R.J.T.Hills.
344pg 1st Ed.1951. Standard account of the GHQ Liason Regiment or 'Phantom' which was formed to transmit vital information from the battle front, ignoring the usual channels, to the Commander in Chief. Working across all battle fronts using highly mobile forward patrols, often in advance of the leading units, Phantom even operated behind enemy lines with the SAS. This account was the first serious account of the work of the Regiment and this example in excellent condition with a clean d/w. Dustwrapper is chipped to spine and reverse.
British MkIII pull fuze (percussion).
1940 dated MkIII pull fuze. Manually operated percussion fuze for intiating charges and also used in improvised mines and booby traps. Made obsolescent in 1942, was up to that point standard issue to special forces amonst others. Replaced by the Switch No.4. This example in good, toned condition, slight crushing to the fuze adapter. Fully strippable.
US Mark IIA1 Grenade.
A good example of the classic US 'Pineapple' grenade. This example is a Mk.IIA1 introduced from 1944, essentially very similar to the MkII, the MkIIA1 is distinguished from it's predecessor by having only one yellow band at the neck. In excellent condition with approx 85% of it's original paint and fully strippable. INERT
Japanese Senninbari- One Thousand stitch belt.
Cotton Japanese Senninbari or one thousand stitch belt. The belt was worn around the waist under the shirt or uniform as a good luck charm. The symbolic 1000 stitches were embroidered in red, another symbol of good luck. Unusually this belt is constructed of green cotton with a small hinomaru or 'meatball' stitched to the centre. Around the flag are the characters Ki Buun Chokyu - 'May your military fortunes be long lasting'. A row of characters to one side represents either the name of the recipient or a dedication. In good overall condition with some minor snags and abrasions, unusual senninbari variation.
Nazi German Red Cross belt buckle.
Die struck aluminium belt buckle for the DRK or German Red Cross. Good Nazi period buckle marked 'OLC Ges Gesch' to the reverse which retains much of it's grey lacquered finish. Buckle is in good used condition with crisp detail and some very minor abrasions to the highlights. Increasingly uncommon buckle.
WW1 No.5 Mk I hand grenade.
1916 dated WW1 No.5 Mk I hand grenade. Base plug dated 8/16 and manufacture marked for the company 'Jas.Hinks & Son Ltd, Birmingham'. In good original condition with approx. 60% of the original paint. INERT
The Story of 79 Armoured Division.
1945 ed. 314pg 'Story of 79 Armoured Division'. Originally a restricted publication, this history tells the story of Hobart's 'Funnies' the series of modified tanks designed to take on the specific armoured tasks thrown up by the Invasion of Europe. Profusely illustrated with photographs and maps 'the Story..' follows the Division from it's inception to disbandment in June 1945. In excellent clean condition with d/w, dustwrapper has old sellotape repairs.