Fascinating. What I can tell you is that the folks who acquired it are close friends and watch out for militaria for me. This came from a rural estate, and descendanrs of the uniforms owner. My friends sa8d they had absolutely no interest in the family military items they had found and practically gave these items to my friends. So, this is a curious scenario. 

I’m not Matt, but I don’t think he’ll mind:   The battalion left the NY Port of Embarkation on 27 Feb 44, arrived in England on 8 Mar 44 and arrived in France on 4 Aug 44. They were given campaign credit for the Rhineland Campaign During Aug 45, the battalion was in Nancy, FR and returned to the USA during Oct 45. Source: Stanton, Shelby. WWII US Army Order of Battle. 2006.

You beat me to it good sir

Here is what I could find    

Thanks gents. I'm thinning out my lids and forgot I had this one. Does the 63A put this in the mid 1943 range?

He was serving in the desert of California in 1943; then In England during 1944. It appears he had some medical issues and was returned to CONUS/ZI during Dec 44.    From NARA:   Dan

Can anybody source a Col. W. Owen Pelkey as serving in Middle East in the US Armed Forces in WW2 possibly 1942 or later, Service no. 0-483281? Thanks

This is very helpful. So it seems unlikely that the Helmet belongs to a Royal Warwickshire Regiment Col. I was not able to google WW2  officers for the regiment. I would have thought he would have been listed but I don't have access to the RW Regimental Records. Seller is willing to sell for $280. Given it is not RWR but American, do you think it is worth the asking price? Nice hat otherwise. Thanks again Laurence

Hi, Sorry, I never saw your question about the rotating components. On later Benjamin’s such as these, because the motor is accessed from the rear , rather than above like earlier war Benjamin’s and Federals. I suggest opening the back and if electro motor spray has an extension tube, you can try hitting the copper. If not take the motor out and spray it. If you do it with the extension concentrator don’t hit front plate as the spray can erode the rubber gasket and the lack of suction will affect the sound negatively :

Hi again Matt,   Sorry to bug you, but what is the best way to get access to the unit history for 878 Airborne Engineer Aviation Bn? We are trying to work out when they arrived in England and left (possibly for Market Garden), but it's not easy searching on the National Archives.   Janine