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85th Reconnaissance Battalion Presentation Platter


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I dug this out of a dark corner of the collection and would like to get some info on it. I reads:

Officers

85th Reconnaissance Battalion

6-28-53

 

I did a quick Google search but I didn't come up with anything under the same name. I found a 85th Reconnaissance Troop and a 85th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, Mechanized(85th Armored Reconnaissance Battalion). Are either of these the same unit? How does this platter factor in with the timeline of its unit? And under what circumstances would this have been presented and to whom? Also if anyone can put a value on it that would be even better.

 

Any comments are greatly appreciated!

 

P.S.-As photos will show, it has quite some patina. Would you suggest I leave it be or polish it back to its former luster?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Well, what you have is a nice 18 inch silver plated presentation/serving tray. The tray was made by Wilcox International Silver Co. The pattern of the tray is New Beverly Manor and pattern/size number 1309. EPNS refers to Electroplated Nickle Silver, ... silver plate. Being engraved as it is it could be a piece made for a reunion, it is anyone's guess unless a lot of digging goes on.

 

IMHO silver trays are for use and show, clean it up, display it and use it, it has history engraved into it.

 

you will find the tray pictured at this site: http://www.replacements.com/webquote/INSBEM2.htm runs about $80

 

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The platter is from the Recon unit of the 5th Armored Division Fort Chaffee Arkansas, at this time (1953) it was a cadre strength training division, training new troops. The Training Division of the late 40s-mid 50s had all the units a division would have, Infantry Artillery, Tank, Recon, Engineer, but they were only cadre strength and did not perform the mission their titles would suggest. Also in regards to the unit;s title as simply Reconnaissance Battalion, it must be pointed out that in the late 40s there were title or designation changes with these units within Divisions. The WWII era Infantry Division's Reconnaissance Troop (Mechanized) became a Reconnaissance Company, as in say 3rd Reconnaissance Company 3rd Infantry Division, and the WWII Armored Division's Armored Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron became a Reconnaissance Battalion.

 

To see the confusing linage of this unit, and when and how this all came about, see HERE

 

 

Any questions on the muddle you'll see, please ask :D

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Patches and Bill_Carmen, thank you both for providing information and input. It is very helpful to be able to track down the history behind such a piece. I will begin cleaning it soon and will post pictures when I am done.

 

Army Strong!

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  • 3 months later...

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