McDermut99 Posted February 17, 2015 Share #1 Posted February 17, 2015 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McDermut99 Posted February 17, 2015 Author Share #2 Posted February 17, 2015 Backside: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McDermut99 Posted February 17, 2015 Author Share #3 Posted February 17, 2015 Makers mark on the back: WILCOX (boxed) I (boxed) S International Silver Co New Beverly Manor EPNS 1309 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McDermut99 Posted February 21, 2015 Author Share #4 Posted February 21, 2015 Anyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill_Carman Posted February 22, 2015 Share #5 Posted February 22, 2015 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patches Posted February 24, 2015 Share #6 Posted February 24, 2015 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McDermut99 Posted February 26, 2015 Author Share #7 Posted February 26, 2015 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McDermut99 Posted June 3, 2015 Author Share #8 Posted June 3, 2015 I found the 5th Armoured Division website and found some useful info on the 85th Recon. http://www.5ad.org/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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