So, if you don't know who am I, that's lucky for you. A quick into, I've been a re-enactor/livinghistorian since 2000, I have been involved in all sorts in the military history world, recovering soldiers killed in war in various countries, military archeology, had soldiers name put onto war memorials that were mistakenly missed off etc etc... the list goes on.  I wrote the first specific book for re-enactors, giving a detailed guide on how to do an authentic 101st riflemans impression for Normandy. A big hardback book with all the information someone would need, we all know the state of most 101st re-enactors and this seemed a logical thing to try and help fix in the hobby! I then went onto a reproduce field and technical manuals, to help save the original onces from getting trashed in the field and at public displays. My stock list was growing... but then took a monumental leap forwards when our supplier of good quality authentic patches suddenly vanished, and as I had mentioned him in my 101st book, people turned to me to find the next best place to get them from... there simply wasn't one. All the major suppliers of kit just sold cheap crappy patches that sometimes barely resembled an original and when you've spent hundreds on a uniform because its authentic, to then stitch a trash POS patch on it felt wrong. So I purchased a top spec digitial embroidery machine and got to work... learning how to make the files on £2500 softward, learning about materials, stitch patterns, underlay and the like. To date now I have near over a 1000 different patches, all infantry divisions from ww1-ww2 are done, often many versions of each divisions. Every version of the 2nd and 35th inf divs from ww1 was well over 60 patches! 30+ versions of the 101st patch were done. Then came along another company in the US who started making 101st patches, but was charging 4 times my price... I scratched my head at audactity of this. HOW MUCH? To let you into a secret, if you'paying more than £10 for any SSI you're being ripped off, unless its made of some unusual, like the backing on the 101st type 8 for example. One thing I've always done with Miss Drop 44 stock is to keep the price down, yes of course I make a bit of pocket money for myself, but that usually goes into making the next items and so on.  Moving on from all in infantry divisions and some USAAF musuems started requesting if I could do Squadron and Group patches for them to sell on. Of course! No problem at all, so those went into a few museums in the UK, I'm currently doing another order for a bomb group and all its 4 squadron right now for them (Ridgewell) I will show off those pics momentarily. I also have a ludicrous You-tube channel all about the hobby of re-enacting etc, some of it is very satirical, you'll either love it or hate it - Like Marmite! Also there is some playing with militaria, unboxing re-enactment kit and occasionally something sensible! Miss Drop 44 channel. So what's the point of this post? It's not a sale post, it's not a post of self promotion, it's a post of letting people know that if you need something that is missing the hobby, I'm here to help get it made. Especially of its patch related, I bet everyone one of us can name a patch thats either not being made currently, or is too expensive, or if they are being made they are either shite quality or BOTH! Manuals can be a bit more tricky to make, as there is usually a break even point when ordering the quantity of them... however, depending on how many you want, if you have an original or even a good quality pdf then its not totally out of the question.  I'll include a few pics below of my random things I've made and been asked to make for the hobby and lastly a photo of myself from last weekend at a show in the UK.  If I can help with anything, please let me know. Dan  

Nice group of pictures to let people get an idea of the types of items available at this show. These were taken early during vendor set-up so not all the tables were full yet, but by the start of the show it was a full house.  I see Zammy's Surplus was there.    Duffle Bag is well run and always a good time. For those of you who may have missed out on this one, hopefully you can make it out in October.    Thanks for posting these G man.    

The Eagle Head was used on most US ordnance not made at US Govt armories during the WW1 era.  You see it on the M1917 rifle series along with the M1917 revolvers and the M1917 bayonets. It appears in multiple places on the rifles so it appears to have been an inspection / approval marking with various numbers under it for different inspectors.

I thought some of our member might like this Photograph of End James Ragonnet who served on the Cold War 'Spy' ship USS Belmont. I haven't been able to find out anything else about this Officer on line. Billyh

Nice tab!!

This is a forum for US items.   Try the World Militaria forum.

Hi all, My name is Pieter and I am new to this Forum. I live in The Netherlands and am a longtime collector of medals and decorations, worldwide, as well as their award certificates. Some time ago I bought a DFC certificte to 1st Lt Robert T. Wood, OF101283, Medical Service Corps, United States Army. for actions on 25 February 1966. Robert Wood was a pilot with the 15th Med-Evac (Dustoff) Bn. He was also awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Unfortunately, the DFC certificate came without it's Citation, and of course I am eager to get a copy of the original Citation. I suppose the original Citations are still available somewhere (US Government Dept?), but don't know where to look or ask. So if a Forum member can advise me in the right direction, it will be much appreciated. Thanks and regards, Pieter

That would explain the absence of the bayonet lug.

Lined with Chinese dog fur.

. Hi Scott,     A substantial piece of equipment back in its day and now fits easily into the back of a pick up truck.  Best wishes for the rebuild.    regards lewis    ..