British Para Rifle Valise

[cw2311]

Gents,

Today I was offered this British Para Rifle valise dated 1945. Does anyone have an example in their collection? Are there any good reference books out there that would assist with identifying original from reproduction?

P1050727.jpg

P1050730.jpg

Cheers

[cw2311]

Couple more pictures

[cw2311]

Few More

[cw2311]

Last two.

[dragnet]

My comment it not much help, but ive never seen anything like this before, if i was offered it id think ''fantasy'' but who knows. Construction from the pics doesnt look good enough, and the chromed type metal fittings to the quick release pull doesnt look WW2 to me, hope someone with more and better info can help you along the way, will be interested in the result,

[welrod_man]

I can say with 99.999% certainty that is a Pegasus Militaria reproduction.

Certainly not Fantasy, and the construction is exceptionally close to a real one, but a repro none the less.

http://www.pegasusmilitaria.com/

[Totenhead]

It is not a fantasy item at all, 2 types of heavy felt cases to fit the Bren and the No. 4 rifle were produced to protect them during drops , they were later modified by adding a pocket and a 20 foot strap attached so that the rifle could be lowered prior to landing. The No.4 rifle case was 8 x 44 inches.

There are reproductions out there

The only one I have seen was at the Airborne Assault Museum at Duxford last year

Cheers
Martin

[nimsiemilitaria]

valise

Heres one, and pegasus always marks his stuff with a fantasy Manufacturer 'H J Neale & Co' (H J N & Co).
http://www.imcsmilitaria.com/shop.php

[Haplo]

Don't like the broad arrow stamp.
Way off as what normal is seen.
In my opinion a replica.

[Totenhead]

I do not think its a good one, the felt does not look right and stitching also

[cw2311]

I can say with 99.999% certainty that is a Pegasus Militaria reproduction.

Certainly not Fantasy, and the construction is exceptionally close to a real one, but a repro none the less.

http://www.pegasusmilitaria.com/

Hello Welrod_Man,

Thank you for very much for the Link to Pegasus Militaria. I looked at their site and I can’t seem to find the rifle valise you mention, can you assist me or post pictures of their repro valise?

Cheers

[cw2311]

Heres one, and pegasus always marks his stuff with a fantasy Manufacturer 'H J Neale & Co' (H J N & Co).
http://www.imcsmilitaria.com/shop.php

Thank you for the link Nimsiemilitaria,

They appear identical with makers stamp and hardware, however, the only noticeable difference that I can see is that the one on the website you provided is hand stitched on all sides, whereas the one offered to me is folded and hand stitched.

[cw2311]

I want to Thank everyone who has chimed in with their feedback, greatly appreciated.

Cheers

[cw2311]

Interestingly enough, I was forwarded the links below of a AB rifle valise that was sold on a dealers site. Very similar characteristics to the one I posted pictures of.

http://www.wdmilitaria.co.uk/viewpho...h=15042&phqu=5
http://www.wdmilitaria.co.uk/viewpho...h=13343&phqu=7


Thoughts or comments?

[Totenhead]

Because its sold on a dealers site does that make it real ??....