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Best of 2014 Thread


SARGE
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Gentlemen,



It is that time of year again for the Best of 2014 thread. What was your best Veteran Organization artifact find of 2014? It does not have to be the most expensive or rarest item but what was your favorite find this year?



My favorite find was a Civil War Veterans Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) sword variation that I found at Minneapolis/St. Paul. This sword is nickel plated rather than being polished or gilt brass as are normally found. I did not know this particular variation existed until I saw it so it was a surprise. The fittings have been nickeled prior to assembly and the blade is plain and unetched. The grip is leather rather than sharkskin and the sword is in overall very nice condition.



What did you find this year?

GAR nick sword.jpg.JPG

GAR nick blade mark.jpg.JPG

GAR nick hilt.jpg.JPG

GAR nick hilt front.jpg.JPG

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I am going to say this 1927 American Legion National Convention medal from the National Commander of that year.

 

My national convention collection http://steveleader.com/american_legion/national_convention.html

 

I am going to be writing a book on the first 100 years of memorabilia of the Legion. The national HQ is interviewing me now for the piece and I am hoping to have the collection on display at the 100th, but definitely at next years.

 

 

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Thanks for the kudos Ray. I was very happy to find an unknown (to me at least) sword variation like this.

 

Steve, that is an outstanding named American Legion badge. Where was the convention held in 1927?

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Thanks for the kudos Ray. I was very happy to find an unknown (to me at least) sword variation like this.

 

Steve, that is an outstanding named American Legion badge. Where was the convention held in 1927?

 

Paris, France. The only one ever hold overseas.

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This "VFW uniform" belonged to the 1979-1980 Post commender from my hometown. Colonel John J Cavanaugh. I'm working on restoring the ribbon bar to the uniform. I'm not even sure if the PUC or army of occupation ribbon belong on the uniform, but they were left in the pocket so I put them on for now. post-3656-0-94883400-1418245289.jpg

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Here's mine. I've been after one of these 83rd Division association shirts for a long time. This one belonged to a finance clerk in HQ/330 who was with the 83rd through all 5 campaigns. In the pocket I found some hand-written notes and 3 ticket stubs for Saving Private Ryan. I would like to know what he thought about the film. He passed away just 2 months later in November 1998.

 

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Judging from this article in a March issue of the Spearhead, somewhere he had an epic photo album I would love to see!

 

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This was mine a Civil War group to a soldier who enlisted in the county I live. In it includes a few letters his future wife received from her former school teacher who I believe was kia. The cool part is the guy was dual member of 2 local GAR post and have 2 or 3 of his member ship badges from them.

thanks

Brandyn

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I always feel inadequate when this topic arises. I've narrowed my collecting focus down to such a small field, that I don't add many pieces to my collection any more.

 

If there is one item that I am particularly fond of owning is one that I just purchased this month. It is a souvenir badge for the 1926 Sesquicentennial of the beginning of the Revolutionary War. The badge was made by Jennings Hood of Philadelphia. It had excellent craftsmanship and I find it rather striking. Could you imagine the like being produced today for the Sesquicentennial of the U.S. Civil War? Not likely.

 

Sesquicentennial_Medal.jpg

 

Kevin

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Salvage Sailor

Patched United States Submarine Veterans vest - EMCM(SS) Served 1954-1986

 

Force Master Chief - COMSUBPAC

Force Master Chief Pin

COB (Chief of Boat) Pin

 

USS BARBEL (SS-680)

USS CAIMAN (SS-323)

USS POMFRET (SS-391)

USS RONQUIL (SS-396)

 

 

Jerry Jacks 001.JPG

Jerry Jacks 002.jpg

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  • 3 weeks later...

I was very happy to purchase this (unfortunately unattributed) Civil War grouping a few months ago, which includes three very rare naval veterans medals. I have yet to ID the badge on the far left; any help would be appreciated. I think the one on the far right is related to USS Kearsarge. I've seen two others however they both had blue ribbons so perhaps the different color ribbon indicates a different group.

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Adam,

 

Few people have collections to rival yours. Those badges are amazing! The condition is fantastic.

 

Thank you for sharing them.

 

Kevin

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