I’m looking at this fixed loop helmet, the paint looks a bit neon to me. Anyone else thinks this looks odd? Think it’s worth picking up?    Thank you!    https://imgur.com/a/OOfcEX2  

He was never bored, you should hear some of his stories, He has some good ones. 

Wow, that is an outstanding helmet cover! It's incredibly cool that you were one of those bored guys who graffitied helmet covers during the war and took yours home! Thanks for sharing!

Nice posts. These USMC OKC3s’ were always cool to me. It looks like I’ve got 2 of the 5 variants. More hunting for the others.

Great find at a fair price!  

Very nice 👍 

I have two M1887 blades, and they differ.  The first is a straight blade [no taper], and has some heft to it.  It has also seen some use.  The second has a slight taper in the blade, is much lighter, and has a period after "ARMY." in the inscription, which is neater and larger than the other.  It also appears to be almost new.  I've not found much about them, other than MH Cole's entries, and he doesn't address weight.  The scabbard with the first blade is lighter and slightly smaller than the second, and it has no maker identification, while the second shows a "Watervliet Arsenal" marking which is consistent with Cole.  Both scabbards have a belt loop, rather than the later brass hook (which I seek).  I'd attach photos if I knew how.  Is either blade a fake?  The fact that only some 1,005 were made suggests a problem with one or both, though Cole does note the taper difference.  It is also possible that other changes were made in the design in the second year of manufacture.  What can anyone tell me?   I also tried to find something on Wikipedia, where I was told that there is no such thing as an M1897 Hospital Corps Knife, though the list of US blades they referenced below that disclaimer includes the M1897.  I have found minor errors in Wikipedia before, but this is the first major error I've seen.  Murphy is alive and well.    

Agree.  A surplus cover on Ebay plus a ball point pen plus a few cycles through the washing machine and you've got a faded Vietnam graffiti cover.     Interesting story about making covers when you were a kid in the 1980's.  Forty years later where are these now?    

Yes, I see what you mean.  They do look hand cut for sure.  Interesting.  The fact that some of the ink on the cover is more faded than other ink is a good sign.  An interesting cover and band for sure.   

Thanks for confirming, I guess done as a replacement medal? or late issue?