Interesting. Is it possible for him to have been a Sgt despite having served one year? 

I'm currently out of the house right now. I will post a picture of the serial number when I get home this evening

Pictures of the Black Hussar Uniform and inscription on back.   Also a list of members of the Yolo County Mexican War Veterans Group.   The last is a letter from his relatives to the Army about this medal in 1954.

I had one once and I think mine had around  20 or so

Hello everyone,   I'm an avid collector of 19th and early 20th century American Militaria. I’m currently located in Hyattsville, Maryland, just a few blocks from the nations capitol. I've been actively collecting for about 8 years now and have amassed a modest collection of pieces dating from the war of 1812 up to the 2nd world war. I have many interesting pieces that I am looking forward to share and hope to learn a great deal from you all as well.     Trevor, J.    

What does the contract date say? DSA-100-XX-C-XXXX

. Let's cut up your garden chairs . . . . . . . .    Sat a few nights ago having a Gin and Tonic with Tansy and Mike organisers of the ' Longest Yarn ' D-Day memorial panels I looked at the chairs they were sat on and suggested it would be far easier to cut those down and use in the wooden Jeep than try to manufacture something to use in the Jeep.   So we went ahead at my suggestion and cut the arms off and shortened the legs, and there underneath one of them a representation of the petrol tank, all to be covered with knitted panels.   Funny really, that they are wary of me looking around their house,  we need to find something to represent the rear seat,  . . . . . . . . . .       Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent, 05 May  2O26.   ..  

I recently acquired this Mexican War Shield.   I have been wanting one of these for years.   This one is named in script on the reverse:   "Nicholas Schardin, Ord. Dept." (Ordnance Department)   This is the first time I have ever seen on named to this unit.   The unit had an interesting history in the Mexican War.   Some personnel served with the Seige/Baggage/Equipment Train.  Others served in the only combat unit the Ordnance Department ever fielded ... the Moutain Battery and Rocket Battery.  They operated 12 pdr. mountain howitzers and Hale Rockets.   I'm not sure which Schardin served with.   His story has proved fascinating.   He was born in Germany (Rheinland of Prussia) in 1825.  His family emigrated in 1845.  In 1847 he was in St. Louis and signed up for the Ordnance Department as an Artificer.   He served until 1851.   I have ordered his service papers from the NA (not arrived yet).   In 1851 he left St. Louis (presumably with a land grant) and moved to California.   He took part in the Gold Rush including using hydraulic mining.  He seems to have become quite wealthy.   He served in the California Militia throughout the Civil War in the San Francisco (Black) Hussars.   He married, became a citizen, acquired a large amount of land, joined the local Mexican War Veterans Organization and died in 1888.      There are several pictures of him on Ancestry including one from 1865 of him and another man in the uniforms of the Black Hussars.   The writing on the back is by his great grandson and says that "Nicholas Schardin served in the Mexican War and was probably decorated.   I personally saw his two Colt Dragoon pistols with (2) two notches on handle of one of them."   Any additional information would be appreciated.  

. Hi mikie,   Well you are not alone in trying to wind things down, I stopped my seriously wild buying days around 1989, and since then for 37 years continued to buy things I DON'T NEED , but find I want, Jerrycans lately.    Somethings such as I saw today I couldn't pass up, my last Willys ( Slat Grille ) I sold eighteen years ago, I have NO NEED for an old original Willys bumper but wanted it, for a wall hanger., there's even a touch of old paint left on it possibly post war French paint. .  I liked all of my vehicles with minimum markings, however this is how my Slat-Grille ended up being marked up by the new owner, sadly I never took enough photographs of my vehicles back in the day as we didn't carry or even have phone camera's then, back then camera's were an encumbrance. to carry around.         Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent, 05 May  2O26.   ..

Last week I bought these winter pants because I want to make a Battle of the Bulge Tanker display. I noticed that they contain zippers from 3 different manufacturers; is this common? In your opinion, is this otherwise an original piece?    Thanks to my son, who was kind enough to put the pants on for the photos :-)