Not painted it's covered in 3M white reflective tape.

thanks for the input Marv. The grips, it turns out, are off of a REVERE WARE pot. I actually sent the blade off to Dan Brock at Plowshare Forge. (plowshareforge@gmail.com) He has re-handled knives for me in the past. I like his work. Don't know what style handle we will do yet but when it comes back I will post the pictures.

Hello, the M1 helmet of Clarence E. Dowdy was recently found in a barn in Bezange-La-Petite, France by a friend of mine. Clarence was 19 years old when he was killed.

The Lost Battalion (2001); though made for TV and playing loose with some facts, this is a decent film about the WWI US 77th Division “Lost Battalion.” You can watch it for free on YouTube.

Great post - very interesting to see the detail of the markings. Hope you frame it!

US Strategic Communications Command (USASTRATCOM) was a worldwide organization with many assigned units. MPs were assigned as security at communications sites. In 1973-74 the name was changed to US Army Communications Command (USACC). I was with the US Army Signal Support Agency-Mediterranean (USA Sig Spt Agcy-Med), Camp Darby, Italy. It was subordinate to US Army Communications Command-Europe (USACC-E) headquartered in Germany, which itself was subordinate to USACC. In 1974, USACC-E became the 5th Signal Command. In 1976, USA Sig Spt Agcy-Med was redesignated as the 509th Signal Battalion.   USA SIG Spt Agcy-Med had MPs assigned as site security for its big commo site at Coltano. They were not a company or a detachment, but part of the headquarters and headquarters company. We also had a site near the French border, and one at Caserma Ederle in Vicenza, also home to the 509th Infantry Aiborne Battalion Combat Team.

Its a massive rabbit hole, but a fun one at least.  Have a look at Army Regulations No.600-40 Available here.  https://www.usww2uniforms.com/bib_AR600-40_28aug41.html   Also get yourself the book ''SILVER WINGS, PINKS & GREENS Jon A. Maguire'' and the 2nd publication too, both still available and worth its weight in gold in my opinion.  Ill also send you a message.   

When Trumpets Fade -1998

Thanks! Yes I looked into the officers Guide. As far as I could find, they only mention it as part of the wool uniform. Not the possible combinations and occasions.

I hope I am wrong and someone may enlighten us but I am suspicious of it.  I can't find and evidence that anyone other than Winchester made handguards for Winchesters and their handguards are all W stamped.  It will be interesting if it is bull nose.  Early Winchester stuff used the PW stamp more.   Good luck, Jay