scottiques Posted March 4, 2015 Share #1 Posted March 4, 2015 This is an AZO postcard that dates from right after WW1. The AEF troopers have gathered on the deck of their returning ship to show off some souvenirs. The spike helmet was probably one of the most popular war souvenirs of WW1 service. It is hard to believe the one guy was allowed to bring back a machine gun! I really like the "hate belt" as I am a collector of trench art. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USCapturephotos Posted March 4, 2015 Share #2 Posted March 4, 2015 Great shot! There was just a similar rppc on eBay recently. Thanks for sharing. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottiques Posted March 4, 2015 Author Share #3 Posted March 4, 2015 Thanks Paul. Do you have a link to the ebay one? I'd like to get an idea on what these bring. Scott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Usa1918 Posted March 4, 2015 Share #4 Posted March 4, 2015 "The spike helmet was probably one of the most popular war souvenirs of WW1 service. It is hard to believe the one guy was allowed to bring back a machine gun!" You'll have to remember that it was perfectly legal to own a machine gun at this time (you could even order a Thompson submachine gun in the 20's through Sears mail order). Nice Spike Helmets too. The middle light colored one is an ersatz felt Prussian and I see one what looks like a Bavarian plate on it. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitch Posted March 4, 2015 Share #5 Posted March 4, 2015 There were alot of those machine guns that came back unfortunately they didn't all end up registered. My Dad bought a roll of canvas from a yard sale years ago. He got it home and there was 08' Maxim rolled up in it. It had to be really cut up to be sold legally. Great picture by the way !! Regards, Mitch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchbuff Posted March 5, 2015 Share #6 Posted March 5, 2015 Love the photo! Some of my favorite doughboy bring backs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Usa1918 Posted March 6, 2015 Share #7 Posted March 6, 2015 And I like the second guy holding the Lebel Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyboy_trav Posted July 28, 2015 Share #8 Posted July 28, 2015 Awesome photo!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brig Posted August 17, 2015 Share #9 Posted August 17, 2015 Neat shot. It is my understanding that by the time the US entered the war, the spiked helmets had pretty much ceased to be used by the Germans and were likely acquired by US troops from vendors and trades and such. I have a shot of a Marine wearing one during the fall of 1918 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jguy1986 Posted August 19, 2015 Share #10 Posted August 19, 2015 Neat shot. It is my understanding that by the time the US entered the war, the spiked helmets had pretty much ceased to be used by the Germans and were likely acquired by US troops from vendors and trades and such. I have a shot of a Marine wearing one during the fall of 1918 Yeah, by 1916 the Germans had figured out that steel deflects artillery shrapnel a little better than leather does. However, the Pickelhauben were the most recognizable icons of the German army, and were thus among the most treasured souvenirs by the Allied troops. That's why you still see Germans in posters and cartoons wearing them instead of the Stahlhelm even late in the war. I know there were cases of officers (can't remember if they were British of American) handing out liberty passes to any enlisted man that would bring them a Pickelhaube. Also, that's a fantastic photo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry K. Posted August 19, 2015 Share #11 Posted August 19, 2015 Also the US government gave spiked helmets away for buying war bonds immediately after the war, buy a bond get a helmet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nirvana Posted August 23, 2015 Share #12 Posted August 23, 2015 08/15 is missing the buttstock and the muzzle booster. Interesting. Damn near every 08/15 seems to be missing the booster, for some reason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shakethetrees Posted September 15, 2015 Share #13 Posted September 15, 2015 Hello, all, this is my first post to this forum. I just joined, but have been collecting since I was a kid. (More on that later!) The WWI '08 Maxim reminds me of a close call I had about fifteen years ago. A friend turned up a sled mount still in full camouflage and with a U.S. Address painted on the web. It was evidently just sent home from France like that, and got stuck out in the barn ever since. This picker friend asked about the gun, and was told that they got scared when they found out about the trouble they could get into with an unregistered class III gun, so they just threw the gun into the lake. It's a very big lake and a long time ago, so don't anyone get your hopes up, but at least they wound up selling the sled mount, which I wound up with a short time later. Sadly, it took up too much room, so I had to let it go as well... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgtdorango Posted September 19, 2015 Share #14 Posted September 19, 2015 Great story!....any old pics of the sled?...mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shakethetrees Posted September 22, 2015 Share #15 Posted September 22, 2015 Sadly, no pictures of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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