Very nice early Springfield. I guess in some ways it’s noteworthy in that after going through DCM a rifle that old retained what is most likely its original barrel. Any other history of the rifle would be extremely difficult to procure. Do you have his DCM paperwork?  That would be nice to have.  Also, what makes you think the oprod has been cut?  

A couple more have come along since the ACH even,  The Proto ACH (Advanced Combat Helmet) was the MICH (Modulator Integrated Combat Helmet. The ACH was then further evolved, by changing the materials of the shell making it lighter/stronger, using advanced, high strength thermoplastics. This is the ECH, the (Enhanced Combat Helmet). Then just in the past few 2-3 years, The newest standard helmet the The Integrated Head Protection System (IHPS) was adopted.

Looks clean inside… I think I can make out P-4A on it…   nice one

I would have trust issues with any of these items. Most of the fund items I have seen are now in shadow boxes with a mix of period and modern items along with the fund "card". While not only easy to replicate for profit, but many items from higher profile vets are also not their own period-worn items. Didn't someone say that Gunther Rall gave away 100s of his wings over the years? I, personally, have been given things by vets that were "the same as what I used" but not their actual issued items. This wasn't deception yet I found this out only when inquiring the back stories. That's still an honor but not really valued beyond what the same item, unnamed, would bring. If there were letters/affidavits describing the wings as, "These wings were worn while I was...", etc. it might be a different story. If they were a unique maker or style of AAF wing, that would be why I bought any of them. They aren't. I agree that the main value of these items is the autographs. Those though are often not very valuable because these same guys signed lots of things at airshows, reunions, etc. not to mention thousands of limited edition prints.   NOW, based on a comparison of autographs from the cards and the prints, they all three have some fairly critical differences. I'm no analyst, and our signatures morph over the years, but some of those, either on the cards or on the prints, appear to be proxy signatures. Am I the only one noticing that?      JMO, Dave  

Ok, we're done for now.   Please review the FORUM RULES   Aloha

Thank you for that tip Phantom! I didnt notice the tag in the photo.. I wont get it until next week Im figuring..

@dmar836 could you direct me to the proper thread? And thanks for replying 

It’s clear that you are intelligent, and a good writer.  I think it would be good if you stuck around.  In my humble opinion, it takes a little while to get acclimated - it surely did for me.     I think you have a lot to offer, and your enthusiasm is evident - which goes a long way.     You will be fine. 

Paul, Welcome to the forum. If you post this knife in that sub forum, you will get eyes on it from those who specialize in knives. Secondly, the SSN is likely a service number(if military). You can post that here without concern. We have members who are very good at finding vets based on SNs. Welcome aboard, Dave 

You have these wings? Priceless! Gabby Gabreski! Wow!!!!