Belleauwood Posted June 21, 2017 Share #1 Posted June 21, 2017 It’s been a very long time since my last post of a grouping here on the Forum, especially a non-Aviation or USMC group. However, once an addict, always an addict! This last weekend was a small antique arms show that I had set up a few tables with some odds and ends. The attendance left a lot to be desired, but I managed to move some really good items. A Winchester dealer (from Rhode Island) had a small uniform group placed on the end of one of his tables. I recognized the SSI as one of only two I have ever seen and being a very rare patch. By Sunday, I decided to go have a closer look if it was still there. When I started asking about it, he pulled a suitcase out with what amounted to be a great little group. It was also directly from the family and I have no doubt about the provenance. This uniform group was once the property of one PFC Manuel Fontaine of Arctic, & later of Coventry Rhode Island. He was a member of a very small group of Army personnel that was assigned to the Railway Artillery Ordnance Detachment. (R.A.O.D.) This group of Doughboys worked alongside the Navy in erecting the cars and mounts of the famous Navel Railway Battery. These were the only Rail guns made in America to see action. At some point, the Army was going to assemble the new big Naval 14 inch guns for their own use. The war ended as these Railway guns were completed by this small group. Counting the two USN Navy Chief Machinists, this Detachment only had 123 men. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted June 21, 2017 Author Share #2 Posted June 21, 2017 #1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted June 21, 2017 Author Share #3 Posted June 21, 2017 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted June 21, 2017 Author Share #4 Posted June 21, 2017 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted June 21, 2017 Author Share #5 Posted June 21, 2017 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted June 21, 2017 Author Share #6 Posted June 21, 2017 4 ------I'm having trouble with posting these images, so I'll quit. Lot's of good stuff....Photos of the doughboy......named in booklet, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USARV72 Posted June 21, 2017 Share #7 Posted June 21, 2017 WOW!!!Congratulations on one of the most difficult units to find! The way you got this is about the only really way to buy such a grouping with assurance of originality. Been collecting for about 40 years and have only seen pics of the patch. You may win the best WWI US find of the year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieony Posted June 21, 2017 Share #8 Posted June 21, 2017 A very rare find...congratulations! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David D Posted June 21, 2017 Share #9 Posted June 21, 2017 Incredibly rare grouping! Thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpast32 Posted June 21, 2017 Share #10 Posted June 21, 2017 OH BOY, What a great group !! As a dedicated 'Little Rhody' collector & researcher, I am truly envious of your find. Please keep me in mind if & when you ever decide to part with it. I have a somewhat similar group, but it's to an Officer from Massachusetts.Congrat's on your find !! dpast32 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gomorgan Posted June 21, 2017 Share #11 Posted June 21, 2017 Thank you for the follow up photo's of a very rare and outstanding group. I've seen drawings/pictures of this patch, but first one to really study. Again excellent find and thanks for sharing the information...George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Costa Posted June 21, 2017 Share #12 Posted June 21, 2017 nice addition. lucky guy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Devil Posted June 22, 2017 Share #13 Posted June 22, 2017 That's absolutely wonderful. Beautiful jacket and group--thank you for sharing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tennessee Posted June 28, 2017 Share #14 Posted June 28, 2017 I really like these "suitcase" or footlocker groups because they are like their own time capsule! Was there any photo of the soldier in the group? What a rare patch , and yet, to this soldier when he put it away, it was just his stuff! I wonder for how long this might have been on the shelf, left unopened - maybe a long 40 year stretch! It's a great discovery to celebrate the very soon to be 100 year anniversary! Thanks for sharing it! David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aerialbridge Posted June 28, 2017 Share #15 Posted June 28, 2017 Neato torpedo. I like. They have one of the 14"- 50 cal. Naval Gun Cars at the Washington Navy Yard. A sight to see. 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