R.I.P.

Hey everyone,   I’ve been lurking around the forum for a while using it for research, and figured it was finally time to sign up and say hello. I’m based out of Massachusetts, and my main focus is military genealogy—specifically doing deep dives to reconstruct the service history of my family members. Because of that, my research and collecting interests are a bit all over the place: WWI: General ancestral service and gear. WWII: U.S. Army infantry in Europe, and USMC operations in the Pacific. Vietnam: U.S. Navy unit histories and cruise books. When I’m not digging through NARA records or archival files, I’m usually down in the workshop working on building custom shadow boxes to display family items.   Glad to finally be on board. Looking forward to picking your brains and checking out everyone's collections!   Cheers, Dale

Raw linseed oil was the early Field Manuals.  Later specs seem to vary a bit. FM23-5 (1940)   Change 2   p.88 1951 Whatever doesn't soak in was to be removed.  It's was not supposed to dry on the surface.   Its supposed to soak in. An oil left on the surface can create a tacky sticky mess - especially boiled linseed oil. In some places it has been stated the fresh raw linseed oil will help lift dirt and soiling off.   However I think the main reason was the goal was to have matte finish, and as mentioned the raw linseed oil soaks in deepest.   Boiled linseed oil, Tung oil and similar can be used to build up a finish - like a varnish.  If there is a finish coat on the surface of the stock, whether it has been built up with drying oils, or applied as a varnish or similar, nothing is going to soak in.     Some people are super adamant about which one to use.  But I think as long as you understand what the differences are, and take into consideration what has already been done to the wood, you can make an edumacated choice. I think what Sarge is trying to say here is that we don't want a sticky film on the surface.  That's from PM Monthly if you didn't recognize it.

I didn't see the hallmark and sterling stamp on these with my naked eye. Seller had to point it out to me. They look parkerized.  Any idea on why this finish and era of the wings? I'm guessing their from late 50's to 70s.  Thanks Ken 

welcome!

aerialbridge   That one Joseph T “J. T.” Lowe in the obit maybe a 3rd Award CIB, but not finding anything else on him.

I was in the 1/508th 82nd abn., our battalion commander said no jungle boots so I wore my jump boots. when we got to green ramp they issued all the ammo rations poncho liners camy sticks ect. and brand new jungle boots! by the time I got mine all they had was size 7 1/2 and I wear a 10 so I continued to wear the jump boots.   as far as graffiti, they were pretty strict about stuff like that in the 82nd but tick marks on the helmet band for how many jumps you had was common. we had the standard small alice packs and no chemical gear except protective masks and I think they allowed us to put those in our rucsacks. my bn commander also made everybody that had one to shave their mustaches of before we left and we had to shave and polish our boots daily and were issued bayonets because he wouldn't let us take personal knives. other units would be a little differant but my bn commander was a little differant too.  pic's of the guys with the mesh on their helmets were from the 505, I dont remember which bn. we called them the cabbage patch kids.

Hi all, I just joined. I’m a military aviation; 20th Century conflicts history fanatic. I specially like WW2 history.   In the past I’ve restored several WW2 jeeps (MB and GPW) but most recently, I’m focusing solely of WW2 aviator’s jacket collecting and restoring.    

Very nice👍 AG

@ OldSalt82 - Very nice!  Looking forward to reading how your tests go.