Our collection of Flag and General Officer uniforms got a big boost today - we received the uniform of a US Coast Guard Rear Admiral (Upper Half). Unfortunately, this Admiral failed to write his name in his uniform so we might never know who he was. There are pin holes from a 9-ribbon bar and either an aviation or (more likely) a Cutterman Badge so we can partially restore it. Still, even with these issues, it's a very uncommon uniform to find.  This was found on Facebook Market Place in Indiana.   Mark sends

Thanks for the nice words..I do have a G scale RR but what your seeing is part of my Ore car display in my backyard. 

https://www.potomackcompany.com/auction-catalog/historic-militaria-cavalry-saddle-collection_2L1NHIXPLD    

Typically, the only markings on the brass scabbard are numbers stamped below the throat on the reverse side. the numbers on mine are "46" and "63". I don't know if these are simply rack numbers for storage in the Lancers armory, or if they were used to identify which saber was assigned to a particular trooper.  But since they appear to be unique to each saber/scabbard, I guess they could be used to help count/track these sabers. Over the years I have wondered how many sabers with their original brass scabbards still exist. And of the few that I have seen over the years, have they all been different sabers or could the same one have popped up here and there? So I'm starting a list of the different scabbard numbers to try to establish a count of existing sabers.  I do know another member of this forum, years ago, indicated he had a saber with the scabbard numbered "5".  As I write this, Gunderson Militaria is offering a saber with scabbard number "60" (the hilt is in very rough shape though and he has yet to answer my questions as to whether you can read any of the markings on the blade).  So right now my count stands at 4.  I know that over time that some of the sabers have become separated from their original scabbards.  The Union Drummer Boy recently sold an 1835 dated "MS" saber that, as he pointed out, was incorrectly housed in a regulation steel scabbard.  I am only looking to count sabers still matched with original brass scabbards.  If you own one, or know of one, please message me with the scabbard number so I can it to the count.  Thank you.

Also, a couple questions for the more knowledgeable here.. Did Detroit Gasket use different weaves at any time? The one body may just have little wear, but this one appears less dense than even a Beckwith, where the rest are much tighter, but well worn.    Second question is, are the tops just soldered to the rest of the throat or somehow welded? This DG one needs some work and I have a beat up donor with broken tabs. 

. Tough day for me in Cherbourg Thursday 12th June 2025.   Thursday as I dropped my visitor back to the ferry at Cherbourg we arrived half hour early so I did a quick spin around the town and pointed out several spots of Then and Now. That's when I was hit between the eyes regarding how much and how quickly things were changing.  The iconic Ford garage just outside the harbour was GONE, it's now a gaping hole with foundations being set in for a new build.  I need to make a date to assemble more wartime shots of Cherbourg and go grab whatever comparisons I can.            Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent, June 14  2O25.    ….

A few Civil war items came out of an estate sale today. A few documents, tintype photo and buttons from Texas. The most stunning find was a Guidon for the 32nd Texas Cavalry Regiment, which feels like its made out of burlap.   

Thought I would share this original map printed in 1848. Titled: Battles Of Mexico. Survey Of  The Line Of Operations Of The U.S. Army. Under Comnand Of Manor General Winfield Scott, On The 19th & 20th August & On The 8th, 12th & 13th September, 1847. Made by Maj Turnbull, Capt McClellan & Lieut Hardcastle, Top, Engs. Drawn by Capt McClellan.

This is modified and attached to MA2 Torso       And this is from Ltjg Billy Putnam VA 212 aboard USS Bonne Homme Richard in 1967  

Took a while to complete this setup but it turned out pretty well. A10 leather, A14 oxygen mask, R 134 headphones and the M4 Flak helmet.