Kurt,   It does indeed sat "BARTH". I'll gently lift the pin and take more detailed pics tomorrow. 

Great buy!   Uncle Sam charges around $200-250 if it's missing when you turn in your TA-50 gear. I used to advise my soldiers to find the missing pieces on eBay at a cheaper price and turn them in when ETSing.   These are soon to be another page in the history books.   We began transitioning to the new IHPS in 2024 before I ETS'd.

Hi everyone, I wanted to ask about a bayonet I was bidding on. Sadly I did not win it, I hope it went to a good home! This looks to have a blade for a Conetta MK2 but it has been made into a bayonet compatible with the M16 lug with an M7 guard and pommel peened on. Now I k now you are probably thinking, "here's another guy asking about those Sarco commercial pieces" and that's what this very well may be. But something about the high quality/craftsmanship of the leather handle made me think that this might not be one of the Sarco pieces. If you do think its a Sarco commercial piece, I would like to hear your opinion on how they got the handle looking so nice and what was done differently compared to most Sarco leather handled ones which the leather looks much rougher on, in general.   Hope to hear what you guys think on this one, something rare that I will regret not bidding up even more or was it a commercial piece with a redone/refinished handle and an added MK2 scabbard to make it look like something it isn't. Either way, it was a really cool piece!

Hey RD12, Did your father or relative fly with this aircraft? I am writing a book about it and would love to have their stories. Best Geoffrey Thomas  

Auction yesterday. No name. I like the 6th bomb group DI. Came in a cigar box. Has a free of tax stamp.

I have a very similar helmet to yours, except it’s a mint early back seam dating to August of 44’ in the same configuration with the OD7 straps and all. nice find, restoration project maybe?

Very Sorry to hear this. I knew Jim though the OVMS and he helped me out a great deal as a young collector. He was honest, knowledgeable and had great respect for him. He will be missed.

It was made by the Schlueter Manufacturing Company during late 1944-1945.

Is the letters to left of AIR FORCE his name and S/N? That's what I was asking about.