Finally Found Something Special for a Change...

[pwcosol]

Was at the local swapper today and it did not disappoint. Picked up the pictured items:

US M1903 stripped stock. Very small crack at the very back end where receiver meets stock. Nice WW2 period marking on left side + "circle-P" on underside. Most interesting is markings on left side of stock "N.Z.AD." (the "A" is actually a broad arrow) | "1445". Also were two M1 carbine handguards. Next is a US LF&C 1917 mess knife, Soviet AK/SKS sling, Romanian SKS stripper-clip cartridge pouch and a pair of new Pachmayer rubberized grips for the Browning Hi-Power. After that are a very nice pair of US arctic mittens with wool liners dated 1948... just in time for Korea. The last find was hanging on a shirt rack and a breeze  revealed the 1st Cav patch. I inquired and added it to my stash. Think the total was $70.00 for everything. Unfortunately, there was no additional info on the 1st Cav. Flyer's Kit bag...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[otter42]

Really like the pilot bag, looks like he did 3 tours. 

[mikie]

That is quite a nice haul! Congrats! 
mikie

[Marshallj]

When I was in the Air Force and in a non flying position we were issued that bag and we called it a “mobility bag.” Anyone who subject to mobilization was issued one, regardless of flying status. 

[Teamski]

Is that an 03A3?   

 

-Ski

[everforward]

I’m thinking the M1903 stock is from a Remington M1903 made for Lend-Lease (with the NZ markings)…. The US RLB and Ordnance wheel cartouches are from circa 1941-42. Pretty cool.

[pwcosol]

Posted 23 hours ago

Really like the pilot bag, looks like he did 3 tours. 

 

My guess is, by the dates on the bag, maybe he did two years then extended another two and finally another two (1970). In effect, deciding to do his entire six year obligation as active duty. Had a good friend in the USMC whom initially enlisted for four years. Three was my own choice. When I was short, he was close to finishing his tour as well. Some years later I called him (he had moved to Florida in the interim). During our conversation he kind of reluctantly acknowledged having extended his tour two more years. Never saw that one coming, so asked him how it was. He said those last two years were worse then the previous four combined! Perhaps him being a radio repair guy and having requested going to jungle school in Panama, may have been an overreach). I couldn't resist saying "The Corps didn't promise you a rose garden. so what did you expect?".

[Uniforms of the Day]

Great bag. Nice finds.

[Ronnie]

 Wry neat. Congratulations.

[Edward C Bell]

that pilots bag is really cool!

[manayunkman]

Keep hunting and you will find more.

[Jones_Bradock]

That is a great haul, can't beat the price. Those patches are really nice.