An Error I presume, or a Test Run, in any case, the wrong colored thread, should of course be Black   An 70s 80s Merrowed Edge 83rd ARCOM in a Medium Blue-ish Color,

And now for something completely different… I’m slowly unpacking my boxes of stuff now that the painters are almost done in my bedroom. I came across these two original publicity photos from a couple of wartime movies, “So Proudly We Hail” and “Lifeboat”. I have yet to watch either of these films yet. Have any of you seen them, any good? mikie

I had my hands full with the dogs and wasn’t able to get a good look at much, except when Baylan wanted to pee on something. By the time I was free to explore, the flower pots, an interesting Budweiser box, and that tree were gone. There are folks in trucks and vans cruising around grabbing whatever looks good to them. Hopefully it all goes to good use (even if not by me) instead of a landfill.  mikie

That's neat.    One site has it as a World War 2 Cigarette Lighter WW2 MF 1945 D^D MKIII Australian Military Australian Army.  A petrol lighter used by the Australian Military. Fully marked with the double DD and arrow.  Australian Defence Department issue.   Another site has it as: The stamp on the bottom (“MF 1945 D^D MKIII”) identifies this lighter to be an Australian made military lighter, issued during the final months of World War II. “MF 1945“ stands for “Munitions Factory, 1945” — This lighter was made in a factory in Footscray, Australia. “D^D” represents the “broad arrow” symbol, a standard marking for British and Australian military-issued equipment, which indicates the lighter was issued by the Department of Defence. “MKIII” denotes that the lighter was the Mark III variant.   Both descriptions pretty much match, so there you have it.

My guess that they would have been worn by enlisted men at a high visibility post when VIP's came to visit. Defiantly not a force wide thing un-less the unit required it. Otherwise, you would find more accompanying enlisted man's groupings of the period. 1902 Models are much more common and more often encountered. After WW1, even though regulation, dress uniform became more un-common among enlisted men. With the exception being long serving or high-ranking enlisted personal. While I have seen M1902 Enlisted men's uniform tailored after WW1 I have yet to see a M1902 Officers Coat with a post WW1 date. Comparing them to a mess dress uniform would be accurate, something an officer or enlisted man that had significant service in to purchase. 

To keep the current issue A-2 thread going… a 1988 unissued Saddlery,,, that’s right , never issued… government surplus sale from Boling AFB… Individual Equipment closed down or cleaned out… they called a local surplus store to buy out inventory…   two A-2s were in the lot   this is a 1988 contracted Saddlery with factory tags   has a nice russet hide…

I recently picked up this WWII lineman's set. I'm not sure how compete it is as I believe they had special gloves and weren't included. 

Looking for suggestions on how to sell my Lawndale EOD/SEAL dive knife. I know these are rare and someone needs this for a collection! Any advice appreciated.

Nice PASGT (with what looks like painted/drawn rank)  probably some other treaters in the seabag.

It seems most of agree that original pieces straight from the veteran are the preferred items to collect.  Time will tell how the collectors market views those of unknown or disputed heritage.  These two photos exemplify the veteran direct acquisition.  I worked with the owner for ten years after his time in the box.  He was a US Navy EOD tech PO1, at various times attached to a CIF unit.  He wore all of these uniforms during his deployments, based on intel, situation and local advisement.  Left to right: DCU ALT made by Propper, note added on hook & pile square for Master EOD badge, Crye Multicam, In-country UCP combat shirt ALT, Local area camo top worn with Carhartt trousers in sand colour, off the rack civys.  As Nkomo mentioned these ALT combat shirts were made from a wide variety of components based on what was available at the time and location of the team.  I have a few more items for this EOD tech, and I did an informal interview with him as he dumped his two sea bags on the deck for the first time since coming back home.  It was a difficult talk for him even a number of years after his time in country.  A real American, truly nice guy and an awesome EOD tech.  I consider it a great privilege and honor to preserve this set of USN EOD GWOT uniforms.  Cheers, Armygas