Yes, great ride and since it was morning it was rather quiet with still not many tourists around... Did the German stake make it home all right?

Hope you had fun! 😊    

It would appear to be a very bad business-decision of a monumental scale if they wouldn't?   I'm sure the new owners are fully aware that a significant portion of the local economy depends on D-Day-related tourism. And as Johan remarked to me last Sunday, it seems that portion is growing, even though there are very few surviving veterans and even less that can make the journey to there.   When you meet the new owners be sure to show them that last photo you posted above, just in case 🤭  

Never really meant anyone who collected anything too weird. My old sergeant I use to work with collects batman and michael myers stuff. That would be the "weirdest" thing. Last I talked to him he still does actively collect that stuff. But I couldn't imagine collecting caskets that would be creepy. Especially waking up in the middle of the night to get water or go to the bathroom and just seeing a bunch of caskets. I guess you would get use to the creepiest after awhile. I also couldn't imagine the amount of space you would need and how expensive it would get. The "creepiest" thing I own is a Vietnam era body bag. Paid $5 for it at a gun show its basically brand new. Still have it, don't know what I'll ever do with a body bag but for $5 why not.

Ok, thank you all. I will post a picture wenn I have made the display. Now only searching for a Mannequin with the right pose.

This is entirely my fault; I once heard this from a fellow collector.

Rooster if you wanna get rid of yours please let me know. I would have a neat collection of these. Thanks for the input….everybody.

Sayonara (1957) Marlon Brando. A US Air Force major in Kobe confronts his own opposition to marriages between American servicemen and Japanese women when he falls for a beautiful performer.   The Immortal Sergeant 1943   Mr. Winkle Goes to War 1944   I Wanted Wings 1941

Here is to hoping that the end of one good era brings the beginning of another.  Is the building pre-war or post-war?  mikie

Thats an interesting take on these.... I always assumed they were worn by officers, on post for inspections and reviews etc. Something that you would not need a real helmet for. And officers can get away with that kind of thing. I could not imagine an Infantryman wearing one in the field though for any reason. It wouldn't make any sense. It would be downright stupid as your melon is always vulnerable even in training, you would not want one of these. I think these are garrison items for reasons I stated above and some are possibly from Hollyweird? The one I own is a little under half the weight of a real M1. Its made from a steel rim with about an inch of steel and 2 liners. And what looks like colored bondo and sand. ? Some of which has fallen off. I do think they are exceedingly rare for the reasons you state in your post. The ridicule and shame if you were caught wearing one.. Means most were disposed of.. quietly... I wore an M1 back in the day, in the infantry... I got mine off of Ebay. lol Ronnie got his directly from the Officer who made it!!! I always got the feeling it was an officer thing.... Honestly, its a smart idea! lol