My small collection of stuff

[Joe Martin]

Here are some of the items I display in a small corner of my home. My main interest is in helmets and some of the other items are my Grandfather's bring home items.

If there's any interest in anything, I'd be happy to describe it in detail.

[CRAIGGOODWIN]

good one

& nice bass as well , they look great in the cases esp the American flag

[JOHN VD HEIJDEN]

re

Hello Joe indeed very nice setup
Maybe some more pic,s of the lw-helmet

Are there maybe some item,s with a nice story from your Grandfahter???

[Joe Martin]

Hi Guys, thanks!

Here's a closer shot of my M42 Luft.

[Joe Martin]

Inside

[Joe Martin]

The mannequin is wearing my Uncle's sweater he got near the end of the war. He landed on the baches D Day +4 with the 296 Combat Engineers Co. B and followed the front to Germany. The spoon and knife were used by him from the time he entered the war to the end.

The service cap on my mannequin's shoulder is my Grandfather's who served part of his time in the war with the 10th Mtn Division. In the case is his 1st Model Luft, USN Seabee utility knife inscribed by his cousin from the Aleutian campaign H. Dimodica 23rd const battalion ADAK, ATTU< DUTCH HARBOR and KODIAK), My Grandfather's ID bracelet and Italian switchblade. The flag is from his funeral 2 years ago. My Grandmother felt I'd appreciate it more than anyone.

The photo behind the mannequin is of my Great Grandfather on my Father's side in the pipe band of the 85th Battalion Nova Scotia Highlanders which he joined in 1915.

The mannequin is wearing an estate sale LT fixbale M1 issued to Ralph Nelson of Bloomington, Indiana.

The luft was purchased from a dealer that got it at a 1997 estate sale of the vet that brought it home. The band is a little wavy, but the pins are tight and don't look to have been tampered with and all washers are present.

The revolver and badges belonged to my Father who became a sergeant of the local police department and passed away 3 years ago.

And finally, that bass has seen more action than most WWII vets and is still going strong. I play in local clubs on the weekend for fun and a little extra cash on the side.

I used to have a decent M1 collection but cut it down recently. My collection is tiny, but filled with things that mean a lot to me. I'm planning to use what I have now as a good foundation for a wonderful collection.

[JOHN VD HEIJDEN]

re

Hello Joe
very very nice lw-helmet
also the story you told about your stuff and grandfather is quite fasanating

[Joe Martin]

Hello Joe
very very nice lw-helmet
also the story you told about your stuff and grandfather is quite fasanating

Thanks John. I forgot to mention the lid is a NS size 66.

I'm in the middle of getting ahold of my Grandfather's diary he kept with him during the war. I don't remember it having too much information other than dates and locations, but I still can't wait to get it.

[CRAIGGOODWIN]

Hi Joe

Also great to see the family History. Just recently I to got my grandfather's RAAF uniform & cap pls a RAAAF pendant from my grandmother. I was touched as it should have gone to his sons but they are not interested. When I told my mum she said that she had that pendant above her bed when she was young so it all comes around. My grandfather also had a diary which details his training & vopyage to Port Moresby New Guniea. I hope one day to be able to borrow it & put soem of it on the forum it is such an interesting read as it details Jap Zeros bombing the airstrips & such. She also has a letter that he wrote his first wife & smuggled past the censors which is also great it describes what it is like under fire from the Zeros etc, great to see your family's history as well

[EKman]

Very Nice

it is very nice to have items that you can identify with a family member. YOu have a nice collection.

[Frank Pacheco]

The first things I noticed were the spoon and knife. I thought it was a great set up with everything else. Then to read that your grandfather used them all the while in the service is simpley amazing! I guess it goes to show that a G.I. had two things on his mind, one was chow.

Very Nice Collection,
Thanks For Sharing
Frank Pacheco

[leigh kitchen]

Talking Points.

I don't subscribe to the theories that a collection should be restricted to a particular theme, or that only mint examples should be collected. If somebody wants to abide by those "rules" there's nothing wrong with that at all, but to me the enjoyment is getting things that appeal to me, I subscribe to the magpie school of plunder - get what you like. I like the personal links - I'd rather have the knife & fork, family diaries & that sort of thing than an unattributable valuable medal or badge. I like the collection - the items have a meaning, and I like the way that non-military treasures are included. The whole set up's a talking point.

[ROBB]

"I subscribe to the magpie school of plunder - get what you like" Nicely said Leigh ,trouble is I like everything ,but even though I have champagne tastes I only have beer money ,Rob

[GerColctor]

Joe

Very nice personal collection. Items that have family connections I think are the best "collectables".

The display on your wall of the pistol and police badges is very interesting, as you mentioned your father was a local police officer, who recently passed away. What department did he belong to?

Joe