I found these at a monthly flea market but I have a couple questions if you don't mind. The 7th army looks theater made . Is it Italian or something else? I am wondering if the Tomcat patch is a repro or original. I saw a lot of variations on old threads here but didn't see one with a blue tab. And I can" find much info on the 635th Aviation co. Any info is appreciated Thanks  Mark P.S. I love me some patches!

https://cowboystatedaily.com/2026/07/12/after-finding-purple-heart-flag-and-pics-gillette-siblings-on-mission-to-find-heirs/

What an amazing photo! I really appreciate you uploading this - my grand-father was an airplane & engine mechanic for the 4th Airdrome Squadron and I have limited information about him apart from his discharge papers.   If you possibly know if he is in that photo also that would be really helpful! Thank you!

Next up is an East Coast issued Smith & Wesson Victory Officer's Model, serial number C267648, that shipped on October 20, 1953 to Camp Le Jeune, NC.  You will note this one is marked with a P inspection mark on the frame and "U.S. Property" stamped on the backstrap.  Also, these revolvers shipped a few months after the one above, but were charged $34.55 for this larger order (1316 shipped) versus $37.11 for the earlier smaller order (484)  

Group,   Below are a couple of Smith & Wesson Military & Police, 5 screw variation, pre-model 10's that were issued to the United States Marine Corps.  They are often called "Victory Officer's Model" because the manual the USMC issued to maintain them designates them this way to differentiate from the Victory Models that were still in use.    First up is a West Coast USMC issued revolver, serial number C234550, shipped to the Commanding Officer Ordnance, Marine Corps Supply Annex, Barstow, California on June 11, 1953 prior to the end of hostilities in the Korean War on July 27, 1953.  You will see this revolver does not have any U.S. markings and was only discovered because the previous owner sent in for a factory letter.    

I have a special rack grade M1..what grade exactly is it?.it's confusing...lol

Yes.

1988, Gettysburg 125th.  2nd R.I. Volunteers.  

I'm confused about which strap you're referring to. Are you talking about the straps on my shelter half?

I see the less embossed matt finish buttons on enlisted jackets and I see the deeply embossed, often gilded buttons on the officers jackets. Was that just a cheap versus fancy choice or were officer buttons meant to be the nicer, gilded, embossed ones and enlisted meant to have the less embossed, matt finish ones?