Eric Queen Posted August 11, 2014 Share #1 Posted August 11, 2014 Or, at least I have not seen a lot of the unmarked or reverse marked (CASE logo on opposite side) examples. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Queen Posted August 11, 2014 Author Share #2 Posted August 11, 2014 Reverse. For those who remember the "Omaha three" a couple years back I believe one of those was not marked either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Queen Posted August 11, 2014 Author Share #3 Posted August 11, 2014 Close up 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Queen Posted August 11, 2014 Author Share #4 Posted August 11, 2014 Close up 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Queen Posted August 11, 2014 Author Share #5 Posted August 11, 2014 Close up 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Queen Posted August 11, 2014 Author Share #6 Posted August 11, 2014 Skull crusher. Tip taken down as you often see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Queen Posted August 11, 2014 Author Share #7 Posted August 11, 2014 This knife was carried by Lt. (later Major) Jerry McFadden Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Queen Posted August 11, 2014 Author Share #8 Posted August 11, 2014 Part of a letter from 2008 where McFadden discusses Force knife. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Queen Posted August 11, 2014 Author Share #9 Posted August 11, 2014 Letter that came with knife when he sent it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Queen Posted August 11, 2014 Author Share #10 Posted August 11, 2014 The summer tunic he wore in Helena with the Force and later with the 1st Can Para Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Queen Posted August 11, 2014 Author Share #11 Posted August 11, 2014 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Queen Posted August 11, 2014 Author Share #12 Posted August 11, 2014 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Queen Posted August 11, 2014 Author Share #13 Posted August 11, 2014 Notice the holes were the screw on FSSF CANADA officer collar devices were. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Queen Posted August 11, 2014 Author Share #14 Posted August 11, 2014 Letter discussing the tunic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Queen Posted August 11, 2014 Author Share #15 Posted August 11, 2014 Photo of him wearing the tunic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan H. Posted August 11, 2014 Share #16 Posted August 11, 2014 Eric, This is "the stuff that dreams are made of" for anyone who either collects or simply appreciates elite unit uniforms, insignia, and gear. Congratulations on another outstanding acquisition and thank you for posting it so that the rest of us can share in the history. I assume that the Pegasus formation signs were added to the uniform fairly late in the war. They are very nice printed examples. Can you tell us what regiment the buttons represent? From a collector's curiosity standpoint- would you mind shooting photos of the force cord and of the back side of the US para badge? Thanks! Allan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1canpara Posted August 11, 2014 Share #17 Posted August 11, 2014 Wow Eric! This is just outstanding! Absolutely amazing stuff! Thanks for sharing! Rick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torch03 Posted August 12, 2014 Share #18 Posted August 12, 2014 As always, fantastic stuff Eric! Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tankerman Posted August 12, 2014 Share #19 Posted August 12, 2014 Thanks for sharing. A real pleasure to read his letters. Excellent job in preserving history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Queen Posted August 12, 2014 Author Share #20 Posted August 12, 2014 Thanks Allan. He, like many of the Canadian Force guys, was put into the 1st Can Para in early 45 after the Force disbanded on Dec. 5, 1944 (he wrote Jan 44 in the letter but meant Jan 45). So yes the printed Pegasus patches are what you would expect at this point in the war. They are both nicely machine sewn to the tunic (see attached). The US jump wing is just a standard blah blah US made pin back wing, nothing special. The cord is the standard Helena piece with the red/blue loops (compared to the French made cord with two white loops). Again, nothing out of the ordinary. As you know, these blades were made by hand by a number of different craftsmen and most likely that is why you sometimes encounter variations (anomalies) like this. There probably isn't any more meaning than that with these but always fun to look at. EQ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
etienne Posted August 12, 2014 Share #21 Posted August 12, 2014 Well, this is just amazing ... identified items with written explanations from the owner I just can dream about such a grouping ... E Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hessian Posted August 12, 2014 Share #22 Posted August 12, 2014 Superb Eric, congrats on another amazing grouping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan H. Posted August 12, 2014 Share #23 Posted August 12, 2014 Eric, Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions and for the improved view of the Pegasus formation sign. This one isn't just a keeper, but a centerpiece for even the most advanced collector. Again, congratulations on your acquisition! Allan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Queen Posted August 12, 2014 Author Share #24 Posted August 12, 2014 Thanks to all for the comments, I appreciate it. I did not obtain the material directly from Mr.McFadden myself but I did get it from the person who did. He also had his Denison smock which he used on the Rhine jump. I passed on it because I thought it was kind of strange (perhaps I am just too uneducated). First of all, the tail was cut off (which I can live with) but what was strange (to me) was the fact that the sleeve insignia was glued on. On both sleeves there was a canvas 1st Can Para title and printed Pegasus which were glued on. The really odd thing was the jump wing. It was hand sewn on but sewn in in reverse (see below). I don't know maybe this had some meaning. My first thought was that the insignia was glued on for some kind of homecoming parade or something like that. Allan, any thoughts? Thanks Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan H. Posted August 12, 2014 Share #25 Posted August 12, 2014 Hi Eric, It is rather common to find the "monkey tail" (or "ape tail") cut off of the Denison smocks as they weren't comfortable to wear with the flaps buttoned after the jump and they didn't always stay snapped up in the back as designed. You don't normally see formation signs or titles on wartime worn smocks, but they were worn that way post war. Is it possible that your veteran continued to serve after WWII? I've seen patches sewn on backwards a time or two, but usually, the back side of the patch was rather similar to the front side. I cannot imagine a major in the Canadian army wearing his parachute brevet with the gold maple leaf showing up black. Perhaps it was added by the collector from which you got the other items, or by someone who tried to help the major "doll up" his Denison for wear as a veteran for a parade or reunion? That is VERY interesting that the Denison would be done up that way. Allan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now