AIRBORNE CRICKETS

[Sparkyasundevil]

Hi all,

 

I just received the final group of crickets that were ground dug in normandy.

 

Some interesting things to note.

 

The top left one has 2 holes in it. One smaller one probably made by mistake and one larger one that would fit a string.

 

The other one has an elongated hole in it. Probably made by the tip of a knife.

 

These were all cleaned by the finder except the two that are damaged with the missing side walls.

[Peace]

Very very nice Spark!!

[Michiel M.]

Indeed..

 

How many of them do you got now?

[duarte1223]

I've just got a few questions, and I really don't mean to come down on anyone.

 

If these are so rare, how are so many coming straight to you? Do you have a source in Normandy?

 

Is there a difference between these crickets, for military use, and the crickets that were toys before the war? It seems like if I found a box of mint crickets at a toy warehouse I would have the same thing.

 

Great pieces of history though! Thanks for sharing!

 

Adam

[Sparkyasundevil]

Hi Adam,

 

I totally understand people's septicism.

 

These crickets were dug up over a number of years in Normandy by the son of the caretaker of the U.S. Cemetery in Colville sur Mer (Omaha Beach). In fact, when he first started digging and finding artifacts, he would find the occasional cricket and throw it back in the hole as he didn't know what they were!

 

He now lives in the U.S. and contacted me via my website. This cache has really excited the Airborne collecting community because they are so rare.

 

You could find a box of brand new crickets and you would have the same thing except for a couple major factors. The new found crickets did not make the jump in Normandy and they were never carried by a Paratrooper in combat.

 

Some years ago a box WAS found in England that contained a number of the chrome type crickets marked "ACME" "Made in England". When the supply of brass crickets was exhausted, they sent some troopers out to look for more. They found the chrome ACME crickets and handed those out. It seems that many of those ended up in the hands of officers. This type of cricket, if attributed to a paratrooper is far more rare than the brass type. One such cricket turned up in the effects of 101st/502, Abn. Doctor Capt. "Doc" Lage and resides in Mark Bando's collection.

 

I have created a COA for the crickets and it is stated that I offer a 100% unconditional money back guarantee on their originality for my lifetime.

 

Those who know that these are originals have snapped them up and they have gone into some of the top Airborne collections in the world. Those people that know me, know that I have never knowingly sold a reproduction and vigorously go after those that do! I am not a dealer, just a collector who occasionally sells an item or two once in a while due to it being a duplicate or something that I don't collect anymore.

 

With the latest delivery, I have three that I have kept for my collection and ten that are available.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've just got a few questions, and I really don't mean to come down on anyone.

 

If these are so rare, how are so many coming straight to you? Do you have a source in Normandy?

 

Is there a difference between these crickets, for military use, and the crickets that were toys before the war? It seems like if I found a box of mint crickets at a toy warehouse I would have the same thing.

 

Great pieces of history though! Thanks for sharing!

 

Adam

[88thcollector]

Hi,

 

I have heard that the 82nd were issued a different type of cricket, primarily toy store crickets that were quickly spry painted green or yellow.

 

Is this true?

 

We have one I believe in pretty much. Ic came with an invasion flag still sewn to sleeve material and some other misc WW2 items. It was on eBay but misdescribed and went real low. The cticket is painted yellow.

 

Thanks for any info.

 

Steve

 

PS: we have been on a 3 week vacation and found a few neat things I will try to post tomorrow.

[Brig]

I've heard the toy story, as well

[duarte1223]

I've heard the toy story, as well

 

Off topic, but it seemed appropriate.

 

[Sparkyasundevil]

I've heard the toy story, as well

 

 

Although Gen. Gavin did not like the cricket. There should be no doubt that some 82nd troopers were issued crickets. It has been mentioned in assorted books written by 82nd troopers who jumped in Normandy.

 

I have seen dirty. blackened toy crickets in a few 82nd troopers groupings. My step fathers father jumped with the 82nd in the Ste.Mere Eglise area and he had a cricket. His group was ordered to throw them away later during the next 36 hours, when it became appearent that the Germans were using them against them.

[Russell 1910]

Here is one I located at an antique store a few years ago here in the U.S. for a dollar. Was it used in France in 1944? Maybe, maybe not. I tend to think it was used by an Easy Co. 506th guy though . Although having one with documented provenance and/or directly from the vet, (or in the pocket of a uniform/grouping) would be nice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Sparkyasundevil]

Here is one I located at an antique store a few years ago here in the U.S. for a dollar. Was it used in France in 1944? Maybe, maybe not. I tend to think it was used by an Easy Co. 506th guy though . Although having one with documented provenance and/or directly from the vet, (or in the pocket of a uniform/grouping) would be nice.

 

 

 

That's a great find for a buck!

 

It's a good one as well. It has the tell tale flaws and manufacturing techniques that you look for in a real cricket

[Brig]

can't go wrong for a buck. does it still chirp?

[Russell 1910]

can't go wrong for a buck. does it still chirp?

 

 

Yes it does still work, quite well.

 

I had the chance to attend the 101st reunion at Camp Toccoa in North Georgia a few years ago. There were a number of airborne reenactors with an equipment display. At one point when I walked by several of them were standing in a group, all clicking their repro crickets, comparing the sounds, trying to decide who's was the most authentic. Very amusing.

[APO472]

Yes it does still work, quite well.

 

I had the chance to attend the 101st reunion at Camp Toccoa in North Georgia a few years ago. There were a number of airborne reenactors with an equipment display. At one point when I walked by several of them were standing in a group, all clicking their repro crickets, comparing the sounds, trying to decide who's was the most authentic. Very amusing.

Real ones sound distictly different than the best repro.

[RustyCanteen]

Since these are notoriously difficult to authenticate, and because of the high dollar value of them; anyone interested in these is strongly urged to use caution and do further research before buying.