Geez. Any time a comment is made a sales pitch follows. "...'The Dynamite Gang'..."  WE KNOW!!!  

I was thinking Alsace-Lorraine where they served. Perhaps a post war morale patch variant, but I attended several of their reunions and never saw any like it.   Scott

Any opinions on age and/or origin?

Fair point. My primary interest has always been the research side of the archive, which is why I’ve continued posting updates as new information surfaces.   Looking back, it was probably premature of me to approve the sale when the collection was first offered. At the time, I didn’t realize how many original items still remained with the family. Over the last several years, I’ve made a concerted effort to reunite as much of the original material as possible with the archive. At times it felt like a never-ending process, but I was fortunate enough to finally acquire several important pieces that were not included when the group was previously offered.   Since then, I have been able to add Lt. Andrews’ Purple Heart, pilot wings, pilot insignia, U.S. collar insignia, original marriage certificate, additional family correspondence, a Ninth Air Force press release issued shortly before his loss, and an original photograph of Andrews with Capt. Robert E. Douglas. I have also continued researching his final combat mission and obtained German records relating to the 20 October 1944 engagement, along with references to Andrews in Richard Groh’s history of the 367th Fighter Group, “The Dynamite Gang.”   I have genuinely enjoyed preserving and researching this archive over the years, and many members here have contributed information that helped bring the story into sharper focus. For that, I am grateful.   At some point, however, these collections become temporary custodianships. My hope is that when the time comes, the next owner will enjoy, preserve, and continue researching the archive as much as I have.   As for Lt. Andrews himself, everyone has their own definition of a hero. When I read the accounts of his service, his 73 combat missions, and the circumstances surrounding his final battle, I know what my definition is. To me, Lt. Lloyd J. Andrews Jr. was a hero, and preserving his story has been the most rewarding part of owning this collection.

At first i suspected an original cap that was re-purposed, BUT Just pulled one of my Air Corps Caps.   Interestingly mine has a leather head band WITH Silk lined. ALSO and as Mr. Jerry mentioned not as curvy?   Now thinking a movie prop and not original, but I am no expert BTW That union label was used 1934-83. Did military items have Union Labels? Photo's posted for comparison

This collection represents 30 years of searching.   This is a collection of engraved  WWII POW mess kits and canteens from soldiers and sailors captured on Bataan and Corregidor.    These would have been engraved during their captivity, some in the Philippines, some in Japan. They are pieces of art. When I have a canteen and mess kit  to the same person, I photographed them together.   I will add a bio for each of these POW’s when time allows.   If any of you have examples of these, please add them to the thread.   I know that the World War II museum in New Orleans has examples of these, but I’m not sure how many that they have.    

Resurrecting this for comment or sharing any others out in collections

I picked up a M1909 Army myself back in April. There Great pistols. 

Thank you Thorin!! I like to share!!

Leave it as is. Get a McCord shell is the 180-230 range heat stamp and show it off as one of the few that have this kind of set up. Getting the leather liner strap and a chin cup will really make it "Top Notch"!   Here is mine: