kanemono Posted May 14, 2012 Share #1 Posted May 14, 2012 I just picked up this 1917 dress cap with a "Trenched" EGA. It is ID'ed to Michael T. Finn 272055 and made by Jacob Reed's Sons-Philadelphia. It has a silver 1914 German one Mark coin as a washer. I haven't had a chance to research it yet but it is already interesting. Dick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanemono Posted May 14, 2012 Author Share #2 Posted May 14, 2012 Here is the inside.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobgee Posted May 14, 2012 Share #3 Posted May 14, 2012 Very nice lid! :thumbsup: Bobgee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dskjl Posted May 14, 2012 Share #4 Posted May 14, 2012 Very Nice and the Mark really adds something special to it. Nice find :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirk Posted May 15, 2012 Share #5 Posted May 15, 2012 Stunner! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeb137 Posted May 15, 2012 Share #6 Posted May 15, 2012 wow nice Michael T Finn enlisted 25 April 1917 sgt 6th reg 83rd co Silver Star cititation Fantastic cover. Congrats on the find. Jon B. Newaygo MI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
History Man Posted May 15, 2012 Share #7 Posted May 15, 2012 Very nice find, this hat is a stunner! Philip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMCR79 Posted May 15, 2012 Share #8 Posted May 15, 2012 Mickey Finn was a "legend" of the "Old Corps" http://www.mcleague.com/mdp/userpages/MICKEY_FINN-200.php The Mickey Finn Detachment is named in honor of Michael "Mickey" Finn - first Master Gunnery Sergeant in the Marine Corps (1936) and Silver Star recipient. We're the largest Detachment in Virginia, 5th in the Nation. We are located just outside the MCB Quantico front gate and a stone's throw from the National Museum of the Marine Corps & Heritage Center. Planning a visit to the National Museum? Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popo367 Posted May 15, 2012 Share #9 Posted May 15, 2012 Michael T. Finn........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
normaninvasion Posted May 15, 2012 Share #10 Posted May 15, 2012 Outstanding find! One of the most interesting em caps Ive seen posted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usmcaviator Posted May 15, 2012 Share #11 Posted May 15, 2012 Beautiful EGA, thin winged, pre-war variety, with the perfect amount of stippling. Almost makes it look like an officer piece. The history is simply gravy. S/F, Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanemono Posted May 15, 2012 Author Share #12 Posted May 15, 2012 Thanks for the information. I was surprised to find out who Michael T. Finn was. I took the cap in on a trade because of the "Trenched" EGA. I only learned about "Trenched" EGA's because of the pinned section here. I didn't care about the cap. I lucked out on the ID. Finn enlisted in 1915 and was also wounded (gassed) in WWI. The German Mark must have been a souvenir. He had a very interesting career I just wish he had served in China. Mike, since Finn was a Gunnery Sergeant I bet he had a jeweler do the "Trenching" to make his EGA look like an officer's EGA. Dick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMCR79 Posted May 15, 2012 Share #13 Posted May 15, 2012 I think he served in China - I saw a picture in Leatherneck some time ago that had him and Lou Diamond drinking beer in China Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hessian Posted May 15, 2012 Share #14 Posted May 15, 2012 Amazing find... :w00t: Was this the only item named to him? He was a colorful character to be sure. Marine Corps League post right off the front gate of Quantico is named the "Mickey Finn" detachment. Cool piece of history, thank you for sharing it with us. S/F Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teufelhunde.ret Posted May 16, 2012 Share #15 Posted May 16, 2012 ... and as others have said, one of the finest examples of trenched EGA's to be seen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leatherneck72 Posted May 16, 2012 Share #16 Posted May 16, 2012 I have actually had a beer at that detachment. It has been a Quantico front gate icon for decades.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanemono Posted May 16, 2012 Author Share #17 Posted May 16, 2012 Does anyone have any information on Master Gunnery Sergeant Michael T. Finn? I have Ancestry.com and looked at his record which seems to be missing some important information. He served a number of tours in Nicaragua including at the American Legation. Ancestry ends in December 1940, where did he serve in WWII? I did see that he was a Post Office Guard which is interesting because that was the first use of the Thompson Sub-machine Gun by the Marines. The Thompsons bought by the Post Office wound up being used by the Marines in Nicaragua. Dick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
normaninvasion Posted May 16, 2012 Share #18 Posted May 16, 2012 Does anyone have any information on Master Gunnery Sergeant Michael T. Finn? I have Ancestry.com and looked at his record which seems to be missing some important information. He served a number of tours in Nicaragua including at the American Legation. Ancestry ends in December 1940, where did he serve in WWII? I did see that he was a Post Office Guard which is interesting because that was the first use of the Thompson Sub-machine Gun by the Marines. The Thompsons bought by the Post Office wound up being used by the Marines in Nicaragua.Dick You might try contacting member devildog34, I believe he has done research in reference to the Post Office Guard, Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teufelhunde.ret Posted May 17, 2012 Share #19 Posted May 17, 2012 Does anyone have any information on Master Gunnery Sergeant Michael T. Finn? I have Ancestry.com and looked at his record which seems to be missing some important information. Ancestry ends in December 1940, where did he serve in WWII? Dick Only a hunch on my part, BUT, I suspect he was never sent over (age, rank, experience). At the start of WW2 he was within a few years of 30 years and had spent many years before in various Quantico billets. To free up others more suited to go, Finn a very accomplished Marksman, (being only 1 of 82 Marines to have been "Double Distinguished" prior to WW2, although he never sought to compete in National Matches) his Marksmanship skills would have been badly needed, IE coaching young butter-bars on the ranges in Quantico, prior to going over... just a SWAG. Why not pull his files? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanemono Posted May 17, 2012 Author Share #20 Posted May 17, 2012 Only a hunch on my part, BUT, I suspect he was never sent over (age, rank, experience). At the start of WW2 he was within a few years of 30 years and had spent many years before in various Quantico billets. To free up others more suited to go, Finn a very accomplished Marksman, (being only 1 of 82 Marines to have been "Double Distinguished" prior to WW2, although he never sought to compete in National Matches) his Marksmanship skills would have been badly needed, IE coaching young butter-bars on the ranges in Quantico, prior to going over... just a SWAG. Why not pull his files? Thank you, I bet you are correct. I will send for his files. Dick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schnicklfritz Posted May 22, 2012 Share #21 Posted May 22, 2012 As said before, an outstanding example of a trenched EGA! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack's Son Posted May 23, 2012 Share #22 Posted May 23, 2012 The hat is top notch, but the EGA and coin backing are too cleaver!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanemono Posted May 24, 2012 Author Share #23 Posted May 24, 2012 Master Gunnery Sergeant Michael T. Finn spent WWII at Quantico, VA working with the Police and Forestry. Ancestry.com has extended the US Marine Corps rolls to 1958. Dick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulR Posted December 21, 2015 Share #24 Posted December 21, 2015 Here is his uniform and portrait. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulR Posted December 21, 2015 Share #25 Posted December 21, 2015 Medals. I took a peek under the SS and it is not named. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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