It is a modern restrike as you suspect.

Hi all,   These sterling Meyer Liason pilot wings belong to a friend of mine and he's asked my opinion on them.   If I remember correctly the pin opening up fully is a bad thing? This pin opens all the way.   Is the wing good or a postwar restrike?   Many thanks in advance.   Dave      

Me too, as I am his cousin and have been in most of the reenactments (I also helped him with the foxhole). As previously noted, I am his cousin, Timothy, and I have been collecting since I was also 10. My main focus is 1980s and early 2000s. I speak Chinese somewhat fluently and 2 or 3 words in Russian.    Timothy

1 month away for the next show!

Hey all,   I'm fairly new to collecting militaria and I'm in the process of curating my own little "archive". I recently received a shipment of two pairs of deadstock/mint first pattern OG107 pants. Everything checks out, except for the fact that they smell something God awful. There are also these reddish, brown spots (perhaps from long term storage?). I've tried airing them both out for up 72 hours, but that didn't help. So if it comes down to throwing them in the washing machine as a last resort to rid them of the odour and to get rid of the blemishes. What steps should I ensure so that they don't shrink or lose their color?   If anyone could give some pointers to the new guy, I'd be thankful!

Very much a guess, couldn’t find very many listings for it in this condition to base it off  of.

The issue marks were removed from the case back one reason I got it cheap years ago. When someone in the military takes something without permission, they sometimes remove the issue marks thinking they won't get caught. On one of my WW2 deck clocks someone tried to remove the US Navy mark on dial there deep engraved so he sort of ruined the dial a little. The Elgin timer does have some odd issue marks most of the time their blank no marks but this one has a serial number and USA under the serial number on the case back I can take a photo of that if you want.

Adding to the educational value of this great thread. Here is a Vietnam era Frank & Warren Inc. survival machete and Survival Kit, Type 4 with the same accessories and edge coating as the one on page one of this thread. NOS in an Army/Navy surplus store just outside Ft. Hood, TX. They also had several early-80s dated Camillus pilot survival knives. Interestingly, I used this thread to validate the “made in Japan” sticker on my 5x magnifier. The vinyl accessory cases have also stood up well; must have been decently stored. 

My guess is the scabbard is original but not original to the knife. The knife was imported for sale at places like surplus stores. Before China entered the market. 

My knife collection is very large.  Overall, it is an investment to pass on when I pass.  With that in mind, I have kept good records.  I recorded the date I acquired each piece, what I paid for it, and record auctioned sales by date for most of the high end knives.  This way, should I decide to thin out the collection, or if my family decides to sell it off, they have a good idea of what they are worth.  I would hate to see a $5000.00 knife get sold for $200.00.