Stotts, I really don't know.  The first pattern web chinstrap doesn't seem to have been around during the Battle of the Bulge and was definitely around a couple of months later for Operation Varsity.  My Father-in-Law was with the 513th during the Bulge and with the 194th during Varsity.  He brought home his helmet.  The liner is the fist variation Westinghouse and it came with the leather chinstrap.  So I suppose both types were used.  It may be my Father-in-Law preference to keep the leather chinstrap from his Bulge experience when the new web chinstrap was being handed out for Varsity. CG

I think those metal trays are kind of timeless.  I saw them used in mess halls in the USPS for 25 years. Illinigander  

Am I safe in assuming these machine embroidered patches are repros?

Requesting some assistance from those with experience in US navy uniforms of about 1960 to 1962, specifically dungarees.  I just purchased this lot of uniforms of a USNR LTJG who was stationed in California from 1960 to 1962.  Most of the pieces are in marginal condition, (moth holes, staining, missing buttons, etc) except the dungarees, which along with the Khaki 4 pocket (also two name USN label) has his name stenciled in paint on the inside waistband.  I have surfed through this forum and online but can not so far find the 'cut' of the front pockets that match this find.  Aside from the stenciled name there are no tags, labels or other markings.  The legs are stove pipe and the condition appears unworn.  My two questions; are these official US Navy issue or aftermarket mfgr and what time frame were these made, issued or worn.  I was told before purchasing that this lot was WWII, after many hours of research that direction, I currently feel I have the correct original owner and he was not WWII.   Would be much obliged for some help from the Navy uniform group, any insights you can share would be most appreciated. Cheers, Armygas  

Please search "invasion arm flags". There are several excellent threads here containing equally good links about these. Best, Dave

Thanks CG.   That makes sense. I have a Westinghouse wire buckle/brass A-washer liner and assumed it was a fairly late version. I have several cast/green buckle with brass A-washers, and one with cast/green buckles with green painted A-washers.   Your explanation makes it easier to visualize.    Do you believe that the leather chin cups were being worn with the early type with the green A-washers/cast buckles? Or was the early type of Westinghouse liner the first to utilize the 1st pattern web chinstrap?   Thank you.   Bryan.

Stotts,  I am more inclined to believe that the time frame was before 1945, so here's my two cents worth.  It is my understanding that the Westinghouse paratrooper liners took 3 variations:  The first is the cast steel/green painted buckles paired with green coated steel 'A' washers; the second type has the wire type buckle paired with green coated steel 'A' washers; and the third type has the wire type buckle paired with blackened brass 'A' washers.  Green coated steel 'A' washers replaced zinc coated steel 'A' washer production beginning circa mid 1943 to mid 1944 with the blackened brass 'A' washers replacing the green coated 'A' washers circa mid 1944 to end of war.  Therefore, if a Westinghouse para liner has the wire type buckle paired with green coated 'A' washers, it must have been produced prior to the second half of 1944.  So my opinion is that the wire buckle type came into being well before 1945. CG  

Nice addition to any collection

I posted a better picture for the first picture of the 40th Armd Bde ptch.

While watching a program on YouTube about obscure SiFi shows, one that was viewed was DARK STAR, 1974, and saw the 40th Armored Brigade patch worn.  This scene was the only time the patch was shown.