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Happy New Year all! Recovering from Cervical spine surgery, in my Bunker in Sunol Cal. Wishing you all, the best for the New Year! Happy collecting! (smiling through the pain! lol)

I picked up this can for cheap awhile back, had a split seam in the front and an ugly coat of "baby jobby" green (only way I can describe it. ) So I decided to try my had at Brazing/welding. After a little work I got a satisfactory bond, I smoothed it out with a grinding wheel on my Dremel tool. And repainted can in German Field grey .

Guys, as stated above.

Guys, This short engagement was recorded in the Ulrich Saft book Kriege in der heimat. These photos were taken post war by a young boy that used to play on the wrecked tanks, what a play ground he had! He is now in his 80s and has recently rediscovered these pictures taken before 1949 but after the war. It shows two of the tanks from the battle although he tells me there were 3 British tanks in a row in column of march and they were destroyed on the North South road that goes past the Hotel Kroepke which is still there today. those tanks were on the road circa 3 to 400m South of the hotel just before the slight bend in the road. The Tiger was further South and I will confirm the locations later. The flak was to the North East of the road described above. The old boy (Albert) has offered to walk the locations with me but he is not in the best of health. I will do it as soon as I and he can. Rich

It's gone quiet on The forum again! Where is everyone?? Well, I will be the 1st to wish everyone a Happy Christmas and Holiday season! Cheers all!!

Guys, been a bit busy and a lot drunk. back to work now! Hope to post more this year, got a few leads to chase down but time is always flying by unfortunately. Best Rich

Hi Does anyone know of a collection of the 8th Army News? My Grandfather appeared in an edition once when, as part of Operation Market Garden. Was photographed handing out chocolate to children from his Bren Carrier. I would be really interested in seeking out if there is a collection of photos that were taken at the same time in case there are any others with my Grandfather in them. I have looked on-line but only come across the same one each time. Any help or advice would be very much appreciated. I have attached the photo below for those interested. My Grandfather is the one sitting in the middle at the back with his goggles pulled up. I love this photo. Regards Ben

I love rock and roll! Let's jam! R.

Hi, I have already learnt something. So the "turtle" helmet shape, of which this of that style isn't it? Was issued as early as WWII. I never knew that. Looking at the elastic version of the chinstrap compared to the later webbing type it does make sense. I have never owned one as the ones I usually come across are shells only and dated quite late. Now I know a little more about their history though they are more interesting. Great job on cleaning the paint off. Truly good work. thank you for sharing.

Only just joined and failed to see this string before asking a similarly related question concerning the state of health of the network. Having been collecting for many years now and, only just finding out about your network by accident. I would be absolutely devastated to find that I have been too late. Been reading some of the posts on the forums and this site definitely is required. Forums with like minded people; are for collectors like the AA are for alcoholics. Collecting is purely for the obsessive and no level of detail or breadth of knowledge can ever be too much. Military collecting is incredibly personal and there needs to be a plethora of sources available like yours. I am so excited that I cannot work out where to start with questions for anyone who is a collector of WW1 items. I was at the recent Detling Military Odyssey show and it certainly looked like collectors are still out there. I think that the Covid time drove a lot of collectors underground to internet only purchasing. I have certainly seen more people out and about in terms of meetings, fairs etc. So chin up and keep up the great work. Regards Camelspank aka Ben

This appears to be an herringbone twill (HBT) weave, rather than the ribbed cotton weave that was used in the blue M41 Luftwaffe tropical tunic. The HBT version was originally issued as a work uniform rather than a combat or class "A" uniform. It consisted of a tunic and trousers of the Luftwaffe pattern. This was to save wear and tear on the wool uniform. It was quite popular and comfortable and, so, was worn in the field in temperate weather in place of the wool uniform. This uniform was replaced by the Reed Green cotton HBT uniform used by the Heer in September 1943. The M41 blue Luftwaffe ribbed cotton uniform was the official first tropical uniform. There are blue tropical long trousers, shorts, and a web belt. All very difficult to find. Here is link to my tunic. https://www.militariacollectors.network/forums/topic/1807-m41-luftwaffe-tropical-tunic/

Guys, as stated above, from same mate! Rich

Happy New Year to one and all.

Excellent Rich!

Tidied these pair up a bit at work, got rid of the moth tracks with packing tape. Found a coin and paper in the jacket pocket.

Watch this space...

Hope you're better soon...

Guys, out of an attic here in Bergen, picking up some furniture for the wife and the lady had a lot of pickling jars and this one just jumped out at me. Just the base but she let me have it... To be fair she did not know what it was until I told her. Rich

I agree with @Richard Auld. I wish someone would write a book on reading and Id'ing the regiments .

That would make sense. Thanks Rich! Rob

Guys, been extremely busy reacting to the very high costs in Germany. We now have a wood burner in the shop for Liz. Bit of a balls ache sorting out the chimney and breaking into it but it has been worth the effort, still not turned on the gas this year, last year it was on 10th October, this acts as a piggy bank as we pay all year round for gas and they have to pay us back for what we have not used. Since both the big boys have passed we said we would not have another dog and just keep the two girls, but, as always my wife does things out of the blue and we got 'Shaggy', to go with Ruby and Daphne.

metall button with a diameter of 13 mm, on which are: a gear, a hammer and a capital letter N. I'm assuming it's a HJ or sapper organization button. help please... szarski@helmuzeum.pl

Really nice...

Very nice… love ‘em.

Hi folks, Ok, it's time to get our butts in gear. As we've always said, FB is a nightmare for militaria, I miss the forum, I'm starting to get it back up to speed. I'm also adding features and articles to the main MCN website, with my old Armourer columns and some interesting militaria and military history articles written by some well known names. I'm also building up content on our YouTube channel too. The website is here to stay, and the forums are here to stay. I was offered a price to sell it, but refused, the MCN has been part of me since 1998, in fact it's older (just) than my oldest child. If anyone wants to help, writing articles, doing videos of museum trips etc. then get in touch. It’s an expensive business running a web forum and we’re still behind in raising money for the web hosting and forum licence costs. I've just paid the software licences for the forum again If you’ve benefitted from the MCN, please consider donating… https://www.militariacollectors.network/donations/donate-to-the-mcn-2023/ Regards, Lenny

My present knowledge on helmets can fit inside the bowl of a coffee spoon, so I'm seeking help in identifying this helmet that I purchased for $40 at auction. I'm thinking that the 515 refers to the 515th Infantry/Parachute Training Regiment. The helmet seam is in the back (late WWII?). I find no identifying marks or numbers. Thanks in advance for any help.

Cheers mate, looks like it's just us two...

The Afrikakorpsrat64 has your back, Field Marshall!

I am a collector of all things WW1 and have a pretty healthy collection of items. Based in Surrey in England I am a member of the WFA as well as several WW1 war poet associations. I have previously given talks to Scouts and Guides groups on the Battle of the Somme. I have also presented on my personal experience of being a collector and all the plots and subterfuge involved in receiving items into your home with a wife who not all impressed with another piece of "WW1 Crap". Happy to help anyone struggling to identify something, requiring history of items, and due to my collection I can always post photos if that would help. I have items including; a water pump, screw pickets, rifles, bayonets, helmets, medals, postcards, recruitment posters, ordnance, swords, field gear, badges, manuals, newspapers, ammunition boxes and loads more. So feel free to ask me anything in case I have one and could help with identification, scale, history etc. I am an amateur historian who likes to actually hold the item in my hands and feel the weight, the material and the engineering. I know, speaking like a possessed person. Forgive me as I am excited to have found this website. regards Camelspank aka Ben

Hey Gang. I have not posted in SO long....too long really. Perhaps someone can help me. I picked up this helmet at auction for $30. It's a Canadian/British MkIV helmet dated from 1953. Possibly a Korean war lid? This is not my area of expertise or knowledge so I appreciate any input. Can anyone here offer me some info on this lid. What do you think about the paint? There are some "runs" in some spots. Were they painted like this or kept "dark" (no paint)? I appreciate any info you can send my way. Liner and especially the chin strap are in great condition given the helmet is 70 years old. Cheers! Rob

That looks good to me. I keep thinking about welding as an option and string to the bow. It would definitely be useful with some of my renovation type projects. I tend to rely on epoxy resin for my repairing of all things metal, but welding would definitely be a step up. Was it hard to master, is it anything like soldiering with an iron? You might get some order via the site now as I should think most of us have items that we bought on a whim in the hope of repairing them at some point in time.

I pay the hosting and software licence costs out of my own pocket, so any donation is greatfully accepted.

WOW! What an awesome collection. I love the signage. Is this your specialised subject, or one of them?

@Lenny Maybe time to reshare the "Donate" button again?

Cool bottle - and a wicked nice souvenir/hate belt. If only it could talk. I can't offer much advice on restoration...but everything looks as it should. So much character. I have a WW2 souvenir belt. German belt/buckle with various KM trade badges and other goodies like EKII ribbon and shoulder boards too. It's a very unique piece - they all are. Thanks for sharing! Rob

Hi. I am not sure of your personal point of view when it comes to renovation, but I have had a lot of success using this product to halt the drying and cracking. It was recommended to me by someone who renovates old leather Chesterfield sofas. I am personally not interested in full restoration, but I do like to halt any damage from continuing. I would highly recommend it as I have used on a lot of my leather items and it does nothing more than feed and protect the leather from continuing to degrade. TRG Unisex-Adult Leather Renovator Shoe Treatments & Polishes Neutral 300.00 ml. There are various colours, but I find the neutral one perfect for keeping the item as natural as I can. Regards Ben

Just seeing the responses here, gives me new life and hope. I have been off work and on disability since Feb. and may not ever get back to work again, so my collecting anything new has been slow and and may stop but the spirit never dies and I still have a lot of choice pieces in my collection. Especially my Tropical display.

Hi All, I am looking for help in securing a Livens Projectile tube for my collection. I have had issues with people letting me down when using shops (on-line and off). Anyone out there who knows of anyone looking to get rid of one please do let me know. I am based in the South of England in Surrey if anyone local is out there? Ben

I too am still here - but not as often as I used to. I apologise for the on and off again see-saw. Once I retire in a couple years - time will be on my side......I hope. Cheers everyone! Rob

Me...but I have a very narrow range of interests so am more of an observer than participant.

i am here

Hi, no idea but if you believe it might be it is better to let the experts handle suspected UXO? Explosives become more unstable the older they are. Good luck! Rich

Cant think of a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than having a cold one and chatting helmets and collecting. Hope you all are well. Would love to see more collections being post! Cheers! The Afrika Rat

And they are pricey here in UK

Too small really , copper bombs were 24 lb and made of cast iron or steel . that was my first thought too.

Looks like something called a Cooper Bomb.

Hi, I can ask my German EOD pals if they have anything on it. Can't say how long till I see one of them but should be before the end of the month. Rich

LOCHNAGAR CRATER.....WW1 I just thought I would add a few images of the Lochnagar Crater, and the Memorial Service to one of Our Own British Soldiers, and My Own Memory of Being there on the Day His Memory was Remembered. When I visited there for a memorial Service to Private George Nugent in 1999....who on that day of July 1st 1916 (after the massive mine was detonated /blown) he advanced with many fellow comarades and was killed by enemy fire it was issued that he was Missing in Action. It wasn't until a Frenchman walking his dog around the crater (in about 1996?) that the dog scuffed the ground and had in it's mouth a boot and an ankle bones - the man called the Police who eventually called (I Think?) the War Grave Commision, who dug his body up and by his I.D Tags found it to be George Nugent.....at least his family after many years grieving the loss accepted he was, as not registered - Missing - but now accepted his body was found and is buried nearby in a British Cemetery, in which they could find his grave. It was a very moving service and attended by maybe 50 - 75 people and the local Priest gave his blessing.......Yes it was sad for me and more so for his family, who I presume came later to visit his Resting Place. Here are a few images of the massive crater that I took on that day as thousand of poppies were scattered all around the base of the crater....In Memory of the British who were killed and the many hundreds if not thousands of the enemy (5, 000...???) In Memory of 1306 - Private George Nugent of the 22nd Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers.... and the Millions killed during WW1 the World's Most Catastrophic War.....Until 1939....that is another story one day! Desert Rat My camper is at the top, just to show the scale of the immense depth that this mine blew. Reply to this topic...

The M39 Tornister, was part of a major update to the soldiers equipment, and was implemented in 1939. The new system was a more versatile equipment type, wich could be used in different variations, and would allow the transport of more equipment in the Tornister. The main difference was the introduction of the Y-straps and the A-frame (Sturmgepäck) The Y-straps was to be worn on the field uniforms at all times, and was used as extra relieve for carrying the weight of the standard equipment on the combat uniform. (Taking the strain of the internal carrying straps and the belt hooks on the combat tunics) The introduction of the Y-straps ment that there was no more use of the integrated carryingstraps on the Tornister. Instead the Tornister was issued with (adjusteable) leather flaps with hooks, to hook them onto the D-rings on the Y-straps. Here is a very nice, 1940 dated M39 Tornister. The first thing you notice, when telling the difference on a M39 versus M34, is that the M39 has a leather strap with stud-button mounted on the lower parts of the outside lid of the Tornister. This leather strap is there to secure the A-frame to the Tornister. And of corse, the lack of carrying straps, replaced with hooks for attaching to the Y-straps instead. The M39 Tornister, also has D-rings attached to the top of the Tornister. These are for hanging the hooks of the A-frame. The M39 Tornister also have the loops for the button-on Mantelriemen - equipment straps. It does MOSTLY look like the M34 Tornister on the inside, but it does no longer have the integrated pocket for the messtin inside, The messtin was now to be worn outside of the backpack, mounted on the A-frame. This Tornister is in more or less un-used condition, and I do have a matching 1940 dated Y-strap from the very same factory for it: ..And with the A-frame with pouch and messtin, Wehrmacht blanket and a tentsheet mounted on the outside: