I've recently come across two vintage Williams Bros. Cutlery knives with obviously Barteaux handle on them. What's also strange is that the guard is at a slant like the Murphy Combat. Has anyone heard if Frank ever worked for Williams? Williams was out of San Francisco. I will post pics tomorrow. Thanks!

Just want to showcase my best finds of the last few months.    Just this last weekend I went to a local flea market for the first time, been putting off checking it out for the last few years and boy do I now regret that. Came away with an incredibly 433rd Tactical Fighter Squadron party suit made in Ubon, Thailand. It's named to Major John E. Appel who would've been flying the F-4D out of Ubon when he was assigned to the 433rd. Major Appel was the recipient of 4 distinguished flying crosses for service in Vietnam and is on the Smithsonian Air and Space Wall of Honor. Just couldn't believe I found this for 40 dollars, the Satan's Angel embroidery is incredible. Also picked up a small USAAF bust to go with my growing USAAF collection and a garrison cap named to a Major L. J. Crowley but have been unable to find anything on that name.   Other than that I have been picking up some great art lately. When I found the 1935 POW/KIA Navy Good Conduct Medal I recently posted, I also found the beautiful AVG P-40 painting. Then a few months back I scored the fantastic OV-10 painting.   The Vietnam Aircrew Bodyarmor was a local facebook marketplace find but fir the price I couldn't pass it up. Doesn't really fit in my collection and not sure what to do with it but just too good of a deal.   It's going to be tough to beat the last few months of finds. From a dream Satan's Angels party suit to a Wake Island defenders garrison cap, and that early war Good Conduct Medal, I've had a great time.    

And what else is slamming HOT about this photo opportunity is HOOK ON Tailor signage.  This Chinese runned operation was responsible for the tailored O.D. summer weight coats made specifically for the troops throughout the various posts within the Territory.  I'll post an example of one these coats with the HOOK-ON Tailor label sewn to the interior of its collar.   

Well, after about 300 hits and few weeks later, we’ll call this one as nobody has a clue, lol. The mystery goes on.

And although we most definitely don't see it here, how many times do we see posts where someone wants verification of what they have been told, what they believe, or simply want to be so, and then go off on either a tirade or a bunch convoluted would have, could have, the official records are wrong, when presented with the fact that dash the hobby horse.

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