I have yet to pick this rifle up (don't ask about our waiting period requirements....enough been said over the years) but the seller did send through enough photos (all I would be showing are his...yes, even with the bolt cocked urgh!) and it is cut for the A3 ring - at first I thought it was not, but alas... It has some minor damage on the left side between lower and upper band, and a few other places, so it's definitely not a new replacement. The patina (oh, Mr Novaks favourite word!) is real. The finish has oxidised for sure. Bore is good. Good enough for my accuracy standards of "It'll hit a 12" target at 100 yards and goes boom when the trigger is pulled". Minute of concrete slab at 600 yards is good enough for me too - so long as I see splash on my 600 yard 4ft x 3ft concrete block, I'm good. I still have some old FA 30-06 ball here somewhere from when I first started collecting '03's some 30 years ago, then had a hiatus, and only recently came back.    Here's t'other side

Landon, Haven't you asked this before? I guess I am aloof. What is it you are wanting to see? There is little difference between an F-1 and E-1 "Blue Bunny" suit other than voltage. I offered pics before but there are plenty of images available online. What am I missing? Are you trying to construct one or what? Dave 

Just found this one.  It came with a thin strip of Velcro sewn over the name. The name “Otter” was uncovered.    A-6E Bombardier/Navigator from VA-34 Blue Blasters stationed at NAS Oceana. Contract date on the flight suit is 1989.       

In my collection this really personal grouping belonging to pfc. Merlin C. Roberts:   Introduction: Pfc. Merlin Clinton Roberts was born on januari 11, 1919 in Virginia. After his schooling, he worked in a hospital ward and then war broke out. He was called up for service and enlisted on October 1, 1941 in Roanoke, Virginia.   With ASN 33089816, he went to train and was assigned to H Company of the 28th Infantry Regiment of the 8th Infantry Division.   ETO: In December 1943, the Company left New York and arrived in Belfast a few days later. Stationed at Coole Castle with the whole 2nd Battalion of the 28th Infantry, H Company continued its training until July 1944 when it left Ireland and landed at Saint-Martin-de-Varreville in Normandy on 4 July 1944.   Battle of Normandy, battle of Brittany... the unit then rested in Luxembourg before engaging in the terrible fighting in the Hürtgen forest.   Germany: On 14 December 1944 in Germany, more precisely in Vossenack, Merlin C. Roberts and his unit are in support of the tanks with a Task Force. The fights are rough and the terrain is difficult. Unfortunately, Merlin will be killed by a bullet in the head during this action. The objective will still be reached in the following hours. The next day, December 15, 1944 at 10 am Merlin was provisionally buried at Henri Chapelle American cemetery in Belgium.    After the war: The family requested repatriation after the war in 1947. Now his final resting place is at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington Virginia (USA). It seems that Merlin was burried at Arlington for the first time around 1947. But for still reason unknown he was again re-burried (to possible a different section at the cemetery) in 1994. The original plaque that was placed in front of the casket in the photo is also present in the grouping.    Below a personal letter the regiment's chaplin wrote to Merlins brother providing more information about Merlins death:      Merlin received the purple heart, the original document is present in the grouping:   In grateful memory letter from the then president Franklin D. Roosevelt:   Entlisted mand's identification card. Note the German stamp on it, this can indicate that this card was send home from Germany (were he was killed) after the passing of Merlin:     Letter that Merlin send to his mother on september 9th, 1944 while in France. He starts the letter with "I will write you a few lines to let you know I am still all right and hope all of you are the same".   

That's how the marking's coming up in this board. There's another US pin on ebay with the same markings.   And here's a set of US pins on a smilo card. https://www.ebay.com/itm/127035731115    

In the wing collecting field, this marking is usually attributed to the company Smilo. Not sure if they also produced other insignia. 

A gentle washing up liquid and a very soft paint brush then leave it as is. If it was mine, id leave it as is providing there is nothing on it that is detrimental to the piece.  

Oh! That's funny. I got makers marks on the brain. Thanks.   The mark is associated loosely to Daniel Smilo & Sons, Inc. (http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=109645&hl=except+fittings)

Tried Tarn-X on a silver bowl a while ago and it smelled terrible. Plus, it tarnishes again.   For collectible stuff, the patina/tarnish/ toe jam encrusted in crevices adds to the authenticity.

Here we go, the clean or not to clean question shows it’s head once again. Nothing gets collectors horns of opinion to come out like this one, lol.