Its Still Out There - WW1 ID'd Experimental Model 5

[Airborne-Hunter]

Summer 2021 will go down as one of the best buying periods I have ever had. This set fell out of the woodwork yesterday. Last name appears to be Coffee which coincides with the old ranch family across the road from where this was found. For the probably the last decade or two the group was stored in a van parked in a field and led to the deterioration of the liner. The uniform has an air corps roundel which I believe corresponds to the gas mask bag's 7th Co 4th mm 160. I believe this is supposed to be the 4th Motor Mechanic Regiment which is an aviation unit. In any case a nice honest original set straight out of the woodwork. Best ABN

[CWG]

What a find. Can't believe its been over 100+ years since The Great War concluded and groupings like this are still being found. Keeps you excited to hit those yard sales and estate sales out in farm country. You never know what you're going to find. Fantastic do you have any specific details on his service perhaps any citations?

[manayunkman]

WOW KOOLMAN 

[warguy]

What a find! Thanks for sharing it. 

[CavalryCombatant]

Bummer the liner’s beat, but DANG!

 

That’s a really cool grouping! Congratulations!

[conn]

what a great save for history

found in a van! 

[easterneagle87]

Thanks for sharing ABN! I appreciate the camaraderie we have and continue to wish you happy hunting! This is really cool!   

[Radio Operator]

Amazing find, even without the helmet the grouping is terrific! Around this time last year I actually found a model 5 named to a 1st Lt. in the 86th division at a tag sale. I wish there was some more info on these helmets besides Deans book, like what units received them for field testing. 

[dmar836]

Yeah, but the helmet is super interesting. Great stuff!

[mdk0911]

now that's a find - play the lotto next!!

[644td]

An incredible find, that’s a once in a life time score.

[M24 Chaffee]

That’s an exciting and excellent find!

 

Frank

[Mr.Jerry]

That is so cool- to find the helmet would be awesome in itself, but to find one as part of a named uniform group is unheard of!  Congratulations!

[dhcoleterracina]

Well done

[militariaone]

Greetings ABN,

 

  Had some free time today and wanted to see if I could find a possible owner. I believe I did find him. His name is David Stanley Coffee born in 1875 and died in 1919. His story is not a happy one. First up, a 1916 article, which relates to the death of his wife. This comes from Newspapers.Com.

 

[militariaone]

Then his sailing for France, 15 JUL 1918 manifest from Fold3. Note the unit and his rank. 

[militariaone]

His accidental death listed in the Newspapers on 17 FEB 1919, from Newspapers.com.

[militariaone]

His initial burial's details, Note it was a motorcycle accident. From Fold3.com.

 

[militariaone]

His remains' removal document, from Fold3.com.

 

[militariaone]

His remains' return home manifest, from Fold3.com.

 

[militariaone]

And his final resting place at the Mount Hope Cemetery, Webb City, Jasper County, Missouri. From Findagrave.com.

 

 

[militariaone]

Not an uplifting story, but figured you'd wanna know SGT Coffee's backstory.

 

Best Regards,

 

V/r Lance

[manayunkman]

Amazing that this stayed together.

 

He must have had children.

 

Would he have worn this helmet overseas?

 

Or was he doing something else before going into the Air Service?

 

 

[militariaone]

SGT Coffee did have two sons, both now deceased. These helmets were deployed in small numbers with various units for testing at the very end of the war, mostly frontline units. Not sure how he got a hold of his example (i.e. possibly trading if not actually issued). Likely, this stuff was sent home to SGT Coffee's NoK/family and was then, passed on to one of SGT Coffee's sons later in life.  

 

Best,

 

V/r Lance

[Bugme]

Absolutely stunning!!!