pump 150 Posted July 3, 2014 #1 Posted July 3, 2014 Picked this one up as I have not seen anything like this before either real or faked to date. Came from a militaria dealer near Camp Pendleton. As the story goes.... The dealer got this from a retired marine who picked up a large supply of World War II textile items surplus out of Camp Pendleton many years ago. In the mix was a bundle of five of these covers, tied with the same twine as used on the drawstring. The marine originally thought they were M-1 covers till he broke the bundle up. This was the only one he kept over time as it was marked "36" ink stamped on brownside under rim, which eventually ended up at the dealer. Both the HBT material and Frogskin pattern are all right on the money as being original. The twine drawstring is brittle with very little tensile strength (breaks easy). It is "finished" on the brownside as the rolled drawstring edge and bitter ends of the fabric are on the greenside. Concerns to me are the thread used for sewing it together. Know that these were produced for camo tests in 1941-1942 by the Army, but don't believe this is one of those at the moment without more proof. Here are a bunch of photos.....feel free to give any comments on it, looking for the best overall opinion here. Thanks
pump 150 Posted July 3, 2014 Author #3 Posted July 3, 2014 Only photo I have found to date of a cover like this. Dated 1942 from the U.S Army Camo test. Just for reference, sure not saying it's one of those at this time.
Sabrejet Posted July 3, 2014 #4 Posted July 3, 2014 If that is an original prototypical cover, it's a rare bird indeed! Equally, it could have been made at a later date by anyone with access to a bolt of frogskin material...and the will to do it! Whatever the truth is, it's very interesting and a great display / conversation piece!
pump 150 Posted July 3, 2014 Author #5 Posted July 3, 2014 Thanks for the comments Ian, it is interesting for sure. That is one thing I'm trying to figure out here if possible (if anyone has any other photos of the test models). Would be great if it was one from the test, but even while the dealer said it could be possible, he like me thought the best chance would be a field/unit made example at Pendleton as that is where it was supposedly found. Just wondered if anyone else had seen anything like this before.
Sabrejet Posted July 3, 2014 #6 Posted July 3, 2014 You mention your "concerns" about the thread. Do you mean if it's "contemporary" thread or not? You could always "black-light" it?
pump 150 Posted July 3, 2014 Author #7 Posted July 3, 2014 Yes, only thinking if done on a base shop maybe heavier/coarser type thread used? Trying to think of all the negatives here in order to count them in/out. The thread does shine a bit compared to the HBT, does not seem to readily glow under blacklight, and does burn like a champ on the ol' burn test.
Hellcat Posted July 3, 2014 #8 Posted July 3, 2014 My concern/negative thought would be....Why the raw unfinished edge on the seam that is on the green/jungle side of the cover?? You would think it would of at least been chain stitched to finish it, even if it was a prototype.
pump 150 Posted July 3, 2014 Author #9 Posted July 3, 2014 Thanks for the comments Hellcat. That is another area that is both good and bad in my opinion on this one. If faked for a reason it would seam to be finished on both sides for appeal, or at least on the greenside as that is mostly seen used/displayed one would think. A prototype would also think maybe be finished both sides. Both myself and the dealer agreed that while not the best quality job of manufacture, it seems to have been made to be worn more brownside out as that is the finished side. Dunno why for sure unless made for a specific reason, just some thoughts. BTW, in the 1942 photo, the soldier is wearing his uniform/cover greenside out.
jkash23686 Posted July 4, 2014 #10 Posted July 4, 2014 I saw this one up on ebay too and had the same concern on the thread. I still just don't know on this one also don't know enough about them to really say either way. Hopefully you made out with it. -j
GeneralCheese Posted June 25, 2016 #11 Posted June 25, 2016 Bringing this thread back up with a link to the cover I found. It's an exact match down to the "36" stamped on it: http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/269768-experimental-m1917a1-frogskin-cover/
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