I would like some advice in relation to the use of rubber id stamps by the US Navy in WW2.

 

I have a Hawley liner that is id'd, and I am currently researching it's owner. It was found in Australia, country Victoria and has been named in pencil in 3 places. It also has the owners name C. H. WELLS in rubber stamp (typical USMC style) at the back.

 

Did the Navy stamp equipment in this manner ?

 

 

I am going through the process of eliminating possible owners and the branch of service.

 

I have narrowed the field to 2 gentlemen, A US Sailor on the USS Mount Vernon AP 22, and a Marine, I Coy, 3/7 1st MARDIV.

 

The Marine is gauranteed to have been in Victoria, Australia from DEC 1942 until DEC 1943.

 

The Sailor could possibly have spent sometime in Australia.

 

Given the course of the Vernon from JAN 1942 to MAY 1944, it is unlikely that this liner has US Navy provenance, however I would like to be quite sure before making any assesment.

 

Cheers

 

Sean

Hello Sean,

 

I'm not an expert of stamps, but I think the Navy used stencils, or bigger stamps than the Marines ; however it will be difficult to know for sure wether the owner of the helmet was the marine or the sailor

 

... but the USN helmets were on ships, and not intended to be worn when disembarked in rear areas ; furthermore, reading old Navy salts testimonies, a torn liner was likely to be tossed overboard and I'm pretty sure the fiber liners didn't live long in a marine environment.

 

Your's is a survivor, and probably a leftover after the owner got a new HP liner.

Thank you etienne,

 

I was hoping you would provide me with some advice on this one, I appreciate it. In your opinion, would you agree 90 % likely to be USMC provenance ?

 

Cheers

 

Sean

Thank you etienne,

 

I was hoping you would provide me with some advice on this one, I appreciate it. In your opinion, would you agree 90 % likely to be USMC provenance ?

 

Cheers

 

Sean

 

Yes, I would

 

And even if it's not of USMC provenance, it's a really nice combat worn liner

 

... but the USN helmets were on ships, and not intended to be worn when disembarked in rear areas ; furthermore, reading old Navy salts testimonies, a torn liner was likely to be tossed overboard and I'm pretty sure the fiber liners didn't live long in a marine environment.

 

 

Not always, remember that helmets could also be worn by naval ground personnel at bases and by seabees for example.

 

Photographic evidence shows that hawley liners were pretty common in the USN at least as late as 1944, of course it is impossible to state how many were on hand or had been issued to that point.

 

I don't see anything saying it's USN or USMC, but I would lean towards USMC based on the markings.

 

Not always, remember that helmets could also be worn by naval ground personnel at bases and by seabees for example.

 

Photographic evidence shows that hawley liners were pretty common in the USN at least as late as 1944, of course it is impossible to state how many were on hand or had been issued to that point.

 

I don't see anything saying it's USN or USMC, but I would lean towards USMC based on the markings.

 

You're right, exceptions are there to prove the rules

You're right, exceptions are there to prove the rules

 

 

I completely agree!

 

What rate was the sailor?

 

Not always, remember that helmets could also be worn by naval ground personnel at bases and by seabees for example.

 

Photographic evidence shows that hawley liners were pretty common in the USN at least as late as 1944, of course it is impossible to state how many were on hand or had been issued to that point.

 

I don't see anything saying it's USN or USMC, but I would lean towards USMC based on the markings.

 

I concur mate,

 

However there were no US Naval bases in Australia, we shared ours with the US Navy. It is more likely to be a Marine liner given that they were stationed in Victoria for 1 year.

 

My initial reaction when pulling this liner out of the box was 'cool a Hawley liner found in Australia'. It was not until I saw the stamp on the back that I began to consider USMC issue. So it was off the Ancestry it is there that I discovered the 2 likely candidates.

 

This liner is a sleeper, thank god. I am the first collector to hold it and present it to the Forum. Which I think is kinda cool

What rate was the sailor?

 

S2c V6

I concur mate,

 

However there were no US Naval bases in Australia, we shared ours with the US Navy. It is more likely to be a Marine liner given that they were stationed in Victoria for 1 year.

 

 

Yes, I was thinking along the lines of the PT & advanced repair bases a bit north of Australia.

 

Yes, I was thinking along the lines of the PT & advanced repair bases a bit north of Australia.

 

Here is a good link that I found during my research re Navy Bases in the PTO

 

http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/Building_Bases/bases-24.html

 

Cheers

 

Sean

Here is a good link that I found during my research re Navy Bases in the PTO

 

http://www.ibiblio.o...s/bases-24.html

 

Cheers

 

Sean

 

Thanks Sean, I have read it before; it's a great site for official histories.

 

These are some of the Australian PT bases I had in mind: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_PT_boat_bases

Thanks for the info, Darwin base is still there, Larrakeya if Im not mistaken. Still active with our current PT boats ( great place to fish, cannot get to it without an ID card). I am not sure if Cairns is operational anymore ?

 

Very interesting indeed.

 

Cheers

 

Sean