WW1 / WW2 / 20th Century

Original WW2 Gurkha's Military Kukri, Field Marshall Manekshaw once said, " If someone says he does not fear death, then he is either telling a lie or he is a Gurkha".

Part of a collection of 3 original military Gurkha's kukri, two WW2 and one WW1. All without scabbards. with very good blade with signs if combat use and surface marking. They were all formerly on display on the walls of a [defunct in 1968] regimental officer's mess [the Royal Warwickshire Regt, and these items were removed when it merged in 1968 after it become part of the Fusilier Brigade in 1963] also with a WW2 Japanese silk flag. All 4 pieces are being sold by us separately. Tempered steel blade, in very good condition for age, signs of combat use and surface marking as to be expected. serial number to blade still visible, and carved wood and steel ovoid pommel capped hilt.A Superb WW2 Ghurkha's Kukri Combat Knife "Ayo Gorkali" The Gurkha Battle Call "The Gurkhas Are Coming!" Field Marshall Manekshaw once said, " If someone says he does not fear death, then he is either telling a lie or he is a Gurkha". The Gukhas are the finest and bravest, combat soldiers in the world, with legendary loyalty to the British Crown. Superb tempered steel blade, overall in fabulous condition. Field Marshall Sam Manekshaw once said, " If someone says he does not fear death, then he is either telling a lie or he is a Gurkha". On 12/13 May 1945 at Taungdaw, Burma now Myanmar, Rifleman Lachhiman Gurung VC was manning the most forward post of his platoon which bore the brunt of an attack by at least 200 of the Japanese enemy. Twice he hurled back grenades which had fallen on his trench, but the third exploded in his right hand, blowing off his fingers, shattering his arm and severely wounding him in the face, body and right leg. His two comrades were also badly wounded but the rifleman, now alone and disregarding his wounds, loaded and fired his rifle with his left hand for four hours, calmly waiting for each attack which he met with fire at point blank range. Afterwards, when the casualties were counted, it is reported that there were 31 dead Japanese around his position which he had killed, with only one arm.In the Falklands War in 1982 the Argentinians abandoned Mount William without a fight simply because the enemy forces advancing towards them were the 2nd Battalion, 7th Ghurka Rifles. The Kukri is the renown and famous weapon of the Nepalese Gurkha. Probably the most respected and feared warriors in the world, the Gurkhas of Nepal have fought in the Gurkha regiments of the British Army for around two centuries. With a degree of loyalty and dedication that is legendary, there is no greater soldier to be at one's side when in battle than the noble Gurkha. With a Kukri in his hand and the battle cry called, "Ayo Gorkhali!" ["the Gurkhas are coming!"], no foe's head was safe on his shoulders. Battle hardened German Infantry in WW1, or WW2 Japanese Shock Troops, have been known to tremble in their boots at the knowledge that they would be facing the Gurkhas in battle. Some of the most amazing feats of heroism have resulted in the most revered medal, the British Victoria Cross [ the world's greatest and most difficult to qualify for gallantry medal] being awarded to Ghurkas. The blade shape descended from the classic Greek sword of Kopis, which is about 2500 years old.
Some say it originated from a form of knife first used by the Mallas who came to power in Nepal in the 13th Century. There are some Khukuris displaying on the walls of National Museum at Chhauni in Kathmandu which are 500 years old or even older, among them, one that once belonged to Drabya Shah, the founder king of the kingdom of Gorkha, in 1627 AD. But, some say that the Khukuri's history is possibly centuries older this. It is suggested that the Khukuri was first used by Kiratis who came to power in Nepal before Lichchhavi age, in about the 7th Century. In the hands of an experienced wielder Khukuri or Kukri is about as formidable a weapon as can be conceived. Like all really good weapons, Khukuri's or Kukri's efficiency depends much more upon skill than the strength of the wielder. And thus so that it happens, that a diminutive Gurkha, a mere boy in regards to his stature, could easily cut to pieces a gigantic adversary, who simply does not understand the little Gurkha's mode of attack and fearsome skill. The Gurkha generally strikes upwards with his Kukri, possibly in order to avoid wounding himself should his blow fail, and possibly because an upward cut is just the one that can be least guarded against however strong his opponent. 16.5 inches long  read more

Code: 23723

A Most Rare Imperial German State's 'Postal Protection Officer's' Sword

Nickel plated hilt, wire grip, plain single shell guard, single edged etched blade. This is a very scarce sword, we have only previously had the Prussian type [with Prussian Eagle Guard] see page 399 John R Angolia 'Swords of Germany 1900/1945'. This has the plain guard for another Imperial State's service, not the Prussian. Blade half etched with fancy scrolls and trumpets drums, stands of arms, cannon etc. Upon the Austro-Prussian War of 1866 and the break-up of the German Confederation in the Peace of Prague, the North German Confederation was established, instigated by the Prussian minister-president Otto von Bismarck. Originally a military alliance, it evolved to a federation with the issuing of a constitution with effect from 1 July 1867. In the course of the war, Prussian troops had occupied the Free City of Frankfurt and the King of Prussia (later to become Emperor of Germany) had purchased the remnants of the Thurn-und-Taxis Post organisation. According to article 48, the federal area of the Northern German states, de facto an enlarged Prussia, came under the united postal authority, led by director Heinrich von Stephan.

With the German unification upon the Franco-Prussian War of 1870?1871, the Deutsche Reichspost was established as a state monopoly and became the official national postal authority of the German Empire including the annexed province of Alsace-Lorraine. Its official name was Kaiserliche Post und Telegraphenverwaltung. The Southern German federated states of Baden (until 1872), W?rttemberg (until 1902) and Bavaria initially maintained separate state post authorities, that nevertheless were integrated into the nationwide administration. On 1 January 1876 a Reichspostamt under Postmaster General von Stephan was split-off from Bismarck's Reich Chancellery as a government agency in its own right. In the First World War, a Reichsabgabe tax was levied on the postal traffic from 1 August 1916 in order to finance the war expenses.


Deutsche Reichspost logo, 1925
With the establishment of the Weimar Republic upon the German Revolution of 1918?1919, the former Reichspostamt in Berlin became the Reichspostministerium. After the hyperinflation period, the Deutsche Reichspost (DRP) agency was again spun off in 1924 and operated as a state-owned enterprise. On 2 June 1932 Paul Freiherr von Eltz-R?benach was appointed Reichspost Minister by Chancellor Franz von Papen and he maintained his office upon the Machtergreifung of the Nazi Party in 1933, "assisted" by Nazi state secretary Wilhelm Ohnesorge. The postal area was significantly enlarged with the incorporation of the Saar territory in 1935, the Austrian Anschluss in 1938, and the annexation of the Sudetenland according to the Munich Agreement. It was during this time that the Reichspost installed the first public videophone.

In the Second World War the Reichspost authority spread out to the Polish areas annexed by Nazi Germany, such as the Reichsgau Wartheland, the Reichsgau Danzig-Westpreu?en, and the Polish General Government. In 1941 postal codes were introduced. The Feldpost military mail organisation of the Wehrmacht not only served Army, Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine service members, but also SS-Verf?gungstruppen, Waffen-SS and Reichsarbeitsdienst members in the field, becoming the general postal authority of the occupied territories. No scabbard.  read more

Code: 21714

A Superb & Historical, Original USAAF, WW2 American Pilot's, B3 Bomber Flying Jacket, With Large White Stencilled USAAF Wings and Name, Upon The Back. Exactly As Used By General Patton And The WW2 US Aircrew.

Type B-3 Contract No. 42-22899. Named to the pilot on the back, in large white stencil 'RALPH' with the traditional large USAAF Wings symbol below. With its original maker label and contract number. This has been a seriously ‘well loved’ jacket, that has had numerous contemporary old service and combat tears, repairs, and patches, but what a jacket!!, and what a piece of original WW2 American Air Force history! We have has original WW2 US B3 flying jackets before, but bearing its large, stencilled, USAAF wings and owners name of the officer across the back, is so rare that we can’t remember seeing another one still surviving like it in over 40 years. In our opinion, it is as good an historical WW2 aeronautical museum piece as we have ever seen.

There is no doubt that jacket has seen incredible times, but true historical collectors will absolutely love it just 'as is', warts and all, with all its amazing character and significant signs of age. This is not something that is near mint, or remotely anything like it, but for this piece of history, no one would ever want it to be. It we had had it when Steve McQueen visited us in the 60’s, we could likely have named our price. He would simply not have left our shop without it!

Made and issued for the Army Air Forces, from 1933 till 1943. Original examples of these super WW2 Aeronautical gems are so very scarce indeed, and the beauty of them is, they are still superbly wearable, in fact the more aged the better!. It is very unlikely to have its first manufactured zipper.
US legend General George Patton wore his favourite B3 during the entire Battle of Bulge campaign {and we show a photo of him wearing it,}. Plus we show a movie still of the legendary Steve McQueen and Bob Wagner in their B3's that they both wore in their iconic WW2 movie during 1962, 'The War Lover'. It was while he was filming in Cambridge that he came down to see us in Brighton to view a vintage car we had for sale.

It was a year later in 1963, he starred in one of the greatest war movies of all time 'the Great Escape', as Captain Virgil Hilts 'The Cooler King'.

A faithful modern reproduction copy today will cost well over a thousand dollars, so how much more can you value an early, wartime ‘well loved’ original, with the original owner's name, and the USAAF wings motif emblazoned upon the back!

Over two million American servicemen passed through Britain during the Second World War. In 1944, at the height of activity, up to half a million were based here with the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF).
This USAAF pilot from whence it originally came, apparently also served in the Philippines.

The job of the half million British based USAAF officers and servicemen was to man and maintain the vast fleets of aircraft needed to attack German cities & and industry.

Working alongside the Royal Air Force (RAF), their aim was to severely weaken Germany's ability to fight. This was a central part of the Allied strategy for winning the war. American women also served, working for the American Red Cross or as members of the Women's Army Corps.

Over 200 airfields were occupied or newly-built by the USAAF. Each one would house around 2,500 American men many times the population of the nearest village. Thousands more were based at smaller sites. Halls and country houses became headquarters for commanders and planners. Some were converted to hospitals or rest-homes for combat-weary fliers. Barns and outbuildings would house teams of truck drivers and their vehicles. Even specialist bakery units were dotted around the UK, providing fresh bread for the airmen.

No wonder, then, that the Americans' arrival was known as the 'friendly invasion' their impact on British life was huge and they profoundly changed the places they inhabited.

The majority of the Americans left Britain in 1945. They left an enduring legacy and are fondly remembered by those they met. Including, all our six aunts! our mother’s sisters. Hundreds of volunteers across East Anglia still help preserve these memories. They look after memorials in village squares, on corners of former airfields, or at crash sites. They manage museums in former control towers, or preserve precious collections in pubs or farm buildings. Ideally what this jacket deserves is someone who will scour through the United States Army Air force war records to discover the history of young Mr.Ralph and his service in Europe and abroad.

Brighton was home to thousands of US and Canadian servicemen in 1944, billeted at all the hotels on Brighton seafront. Despite much of Brighton being off limits to civilian visitors due to it coastal location. With barbed wire fenced off beaches and the mined sea. And our piers were cut in half so they couldn’t be used as Jerry landing jetty’s.  read more

Code: 22547

A Good Original Imperial German Pickelhaube German Spiked Helmet Case

In pressed fibreboard and leather strapping. Overall in very nice condition but the straps have either partially of fully seperated. A rare collectable that is now very scarcely seen. Ideal to accompany any good pickelhaube, either spike or ball topped. The Pickelhaube was originally designed in 1842 by King Frederick William IV of Prussia, perhaps as a design based on similar helmets that were adopted at the same time by the Russian military. It is not clear whether this was a case of imitation, parallel invention, or if both were based on the earlier Napoleonic cuirassier. The early Russian type (known as "The Helmet of Yaroslav Mudry") was also used by cavalry, which had used the spike as a holder for a horsehair plume in full dress, a practice also followed with some Prussian models.
Frederick William IV introduced the Pickelhaube for use by the majority of Prussian infantry on October 23, 1842 by a royal cabinet order. The use of the Pickelhaube spread rapidly to other German principalities. Oldenburg adopted it by 1849, Baden by 1870, and in 1887, the Kingdom of Bavaria was the last German state to adopt the Pickelhaube (since the Napoleonic Wars, they had had their own design of helmet, called the Raupenhelm.

From the second half of the 19th century onwards, the armies of a number of nations besides Russia, (including Bolivia, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, Portugal, Norway, Sweden and Venezuela,) adopted the Pickelhaube or something very similar.

The Russian version initially had a horsehair plume fitted to the end of the spike, but this was later discarded in some units. The Russian spike was topped with a grenade motif. At the beginning of the Crimean War, such helmets were common among infantry and grenadiers, but soon fell out of place in favour of the fatigue cap. After 1862 the spiked helmet ceased to be generally worn by the Russian Army, although it was retained until 1914 by the Cuirassier regiments of the Imperial Guard and the Gendarmerie. The Russians prolonged the history of the pointed military headgear with their own cloth Budenovka in the early 20th century. All helmets produced for the infantry before and during 1914 were made of leather. As the war progressed, Germany's leather stockpiles dwindled. After extensive imports from South America, particularly Argentina, the German government began producing ersatz Pickelhauben made of other materials. In 1915, some Pickelhauben began to be made from thin sheet steel. However, the German high command needed to produce an even greater number of helmets, leading to the usage of pressurized felt and even paper to construct Pickelhauben.
During the early months of World War I, it was soon discovered that the Pickelhaube did not measure up to the demanding conditions of trench warfare. The leather helmets offered virtually no protection against shell fragments and shrapnel and the conspicuous spike made its wearer a target. These shortcomings, combined with material shortages, led to the introduction of the simplified model 1915 helmet described above, with a detachable spike. In September 1915 it was ordered that the new helmets were to be worn without spikes, when in the front line  read more

Code: 20806

A Most Scarce Edwardian Hampshire Yeomanry Carabiniers Regimental Silver Place Badge With 'Battle Honour' Scroll, South Africa 1900-1901

The Hampshire rose to the centre of a crowned oval bearing the title, Hampshire Yeomanry, backed by a pair of crossed rifles, with the 'Carabiniers' scroll across the rifle butts and surmounted by Edward VIIth's King's crown, with the regimental 'Battle Honour' scroll of South Africa 1900-1. Tension sprung silver half hoop at the rear to insert a card, menu or regimental seating place name. In very good condition for age.

Between 1794 and 1803, a large number of cavalry units such as the North Hampshire Yeomanry Cavalry, the New Forest Volunteer Cavalry, the Fawley Light Dragoons and the Southampton Cavalry were raised in southern England as independent groups of Yeomanry. The Prime Minister, William Pitt the Younger, proposed that the English Counties form a force of Volunteer Yeoman Cavalry that could be called on by the King to defend the country against invasion or by the Lord Lieutenant to subdue any civil disorder within the country. These units were brought together under the collective title of North Hampshire Regiment of Yeomanry Cavalry in 1834, renamed Hampshire Regiment of Yeomanry Cavalry by 1848. The Regiment adopted the title 'Carabiniers' in 1887.

On 13 December 1899, the decision to allow volunteer forces serve in the Second Boer War was made. Due to the string of defeats during Black Week in December, 1899, the British government realized they were going to need more troops than just the regular army, thus issuing a Royal Warrant on 24 December 1899. This warrant officially created the Imperial Yeomanry. The Royal Warrant asked standing Yeomanry regiments to provide service companies of approximately 115 men each. In addition to this, many British citizens (usually mid-upper class) volunteered to join the new regiment.

The first contingent of recruits contained 550 officers, 10,371 men with 20 battalions and 4 companies, which arrived in South Africa between February and April, 1900. Upon arrival, the regiment was sent throughout the zone of operations. The Hampshire Yeomanry raised the 41st Company, 12th Battalion, and the first company left Southampton on 31 January 1900, bound for Cape Town  read more

Code: 25190

1917 US Bayonet, The *U.S. Model 1913 ‘1917’ Dated Remington Bayonet and Scabbard with Original Frog.

Excellent plus, and an exceptional example. Likely so good it would be impossible to improve upon.

The American U.S. Model 1913 dated 1917 Bayonet in leather and steel scabbard with frog button mount and rivetted leather frog. It has a nice blade with all it's original parkerised finish. Known as a 'sleeper', in the collecting market, in that it was put into storage in 1946 and hasn't seen the light of day since, we have just acquired a super collection of bayonets all in stored condition since the end of the war.

This is a superb 1913- 1917 pattern bayonet marked to the blade with 1917 over Remington in a circle on one side, and U.S. with the grenade and eagle head on the other. These bayonets were originally manufactured by the U.S. in WWI and acquired by the British in WWII for use mainly by the Home Guard.

Pattern 1913/17. In excellent order with frog mount. Made by Remington. The pattern of bayonet that was continually used in WW2 by the British Home Guard. With twin cuts in the wood grip added to differentiate for British forces that it was the American bayonet and not a British 1907 Wilkinson.

Originally the bayonet design was made for the British in September 1917 by Remington in the US as the 1913 Pattern intended to be issued with the P14 Rifle in .303 inch calibre. However, when America entered the war they changed production of the P14 rifle over to .30 inch calibre, at which point it became their M17 rifle. As the calibre change meant no alteration to the bayonet was required they basically took the unfinished/unshipped bayonets and made them American property by over-stamping the British marks with American marks, thus becoming M1917 bayonets.

The P14's principal combat use during World War I was as a sniper rifle, since it was found to be more accurate than the Short Magazine Lee–Enfield, either in standard issue form or with modified "fine-adjustment" aperture rearsights designated Pattern 1914 Mk I W (F) and Pattern 1914 Mk I* W (F) or, from April 1918, Aldis Pattern 1918 telescopic sights designated Pattern 1914 Mk I* W (T) (modified and telescopic sights were mainly used on Winchester-manufactured rifles, the Winchesters being thought to be of superior quality). During WW2 the rifle was also used again as a sniper rifle, the configuration being different from the World War I incarnation.

2 notches can be seen on the wooden handle as to distinguish it from SMLE bayonets as both rifles and blades were, though very similar incompatible with the other.  read more

Code: 25189

Original. Most Rare, A1929 Zeppelin Orientfahrt Over Egypt. The Zeppelin's Oriental Flight Over The Pyramids & Sphinx'. An Awarded Table Medal In Solid, Fine Silver. Len Deighton, World Renown Thriller & Spy Novelist Wrote a Book on The Very Flight

Only the second we have had or seen in 25 years. the only other we have seen is in the Landesmuseum in Wurttemberg.

Of all the medals issued in Europe for the very significant aeronautical occasions involving balloons and airships, this is one of the most artistically beautiful, capturing the flight over the great pyramids spectacularly in the typical Art Deco style. Just regard the amazing font, simple elegant but unique to that brief period. It was just a few short years since Carter had discovered the finest and fabulous golden treasures ever excavated in the history of the world, from the tomb of the boy king, the Pharoah Tutankhamen, and just three years before the great Boris Karloff starred in the iconic Hollywood movie, The Mummy.
Egypt and the art it inspired was all the rage around the world, in the news, art, film and decor, and this is just a fabulous representation of that amazing period.

This is a very rare and valuable medal, in super condition, made in fine silver, awarded and issued in 1929, for Dr. Hugo Eckener, depicting the Orientfahrt Orient flight of the airship Graf Zeppelin in 1929 Another rare surviving example of this fine medal is in the Landesmuseum in Wurttemberg.

In Britain it is regarded that a medal is only a wearable decoration, worn using either a chest ribbon, neck ribbon, or sash, or with a rear mounted uniform dress mounting pin, but in Europe, a medal is more often than not a display piece, issued for the same reasons as a wearable medal, for individuals as a reward, for commemoration or celebration, but not for personal adornment. Either displayed in a table mounted glass case or free standing cabinet.

On 24/03/1929 - the LZ127 Graf Zeppelin Orient Flight was launched for the reintroduction of air flight post-office mail.
Len Deighton, world renown thriller and spy novelist, under his psuedonym Cyril Deighton, wrote a rare and desirable book on this very flight, due to his love of airships and philately.

The Orientfahrt is distinguished for being one of the most controversial - in purely philatelic terms - of the Graf Zeppelin's history, mostly because there are no detailed sources of the flight that are completely reliable. The book records in great detail the flight from Germany which was like a theatrical event, where dinner was served over the Dead Sea and breakfast would be over the Acropolis; the ship subsequently flew over Rome, Naples and Cyprus.
Dropping mail at Jaffa, Athens, Budapest, Vienna
And flew over Palestine and Egypt.

Dr Eckner Born in Flensburg in 1868. Hugo Eckener came into contact with Count Zeppelin as a correspondent for the Frankfurter Zeitung through one of his reports on the Zeppelin airship. This resulted in a long-term cooperation. At the end of the 1890s, Eckener moved from Flensburg to Friedrichhafen and became tour leader and authorized representative of the German Airship Company (DELAG), founded in 1909. After the death of Count Zeppelin, Eckener awoke the interest in airships through the Atlantic crossing of the Zeppelin 126 and the world tour of LZ 127 in the 1920s. Between 1931 and 1937 a regular transatlantic regular service between Frankfurt, the USA and Brazil with the two Zeppelinen 127 and 129 was furnished.

The front of the medal from 1929 shows the bust of Eckener to the left. The back shows an airship over the sphinx and pyramids, behind the rising sun. See in reference to this medal; Hans Kaiser, 1998: medals, plaques, badges of German aviation. The coined chronicle of the German aviation, Gutersloh, S. 137 No. 494.1 &
Kienast, Gunter W., 1967: The medals of Karl Goetz, Cleveland, Ohio, S. II, 284 S.: No. op.428  read more

Code: 22151

A 1st Army Intelligence Corps HQ General Staff Officer Medal Group of the British Army 'Desert Rats', With His Slip On Eppaulettes and Cap Badge

Part of a very desirable collection of service items, of one veteran officer, from the 'Afrika Korps Vs Desert Rat' Campaign 1942-43, between Rommel and Montgomery

Acquired with a rare original Afrika Korps combatant's souvenir, of a tunic breast eagle, rare 1st pattern, in blue bevo weave cotton over tan, but sold separately.
From a former Desert Rat veteran Intelligence Corps of the 1st Army HQ. He was part of the General Staff at Montgomery's HQ tasked with defeating General Erwin Rommel's Afrika Korps.

The so called British 'Desert Rats', under Montgomery's command, kicked the DAK's bottoms at El Alamein, and then, with the 8th Army, were transferred to Italy in order to fight from the south right through to Rome.

When Rommel was promoted to the newly formed Panzerarmee Afrika, his command included a number of Italian units, including four infantry divisions. Two Italian armoured divisions, Ariete and Trieste initially remained under Italian control as the Italian XX Motorized Corps under the command of General Gastone Gambara.

The Afrika Korps was restructured and renamed in August 1941. "Afrikakorps" was the official name of the force for less than six months but the officers and men used it for the duration. The Afrika Korpswas the major German component of Panzerarmee Afrika, which was later renamed the Deutsch-Italienische Panzerarmee and finally renamed Heeresgruppe Afrika (Army Group Africa) during the 27 months of the Desert campaign.

On 26 November the Commander-in-Chief Middle East Command, General Sir Claude Auchinleck, replaced Cunningham with Major-General Neil Ritchie, following disagreements between Auchinleck and Cunningham. Despite achieving a number of tactical successes, Rommel was forced to concede Tobruk and was pushed back to El Agheila by the end of 1941. In February 1942 Rommel had regrouped his forces sufficiently to push the over-extended Eighth Army back to the Gazala line, just west of Tobruk. Both sides commenced a period of building their strength to launch new offensives but it was Rommel who took the initiative first, forcing the Eighth Army from the Gazala position.

Ritchie proved unable to halt Rommel and was replaced when Auchinleck himself took direct command of the army. The Panzer Army Afrika were eventually stopped by Auchinleck at the First Battle of El Alamein. Auchinleck, wishing to pause and regroup the Eighth Army, which had expended a lot of its strength in halting Rommel, came under intense political pressure from British Prime Minister Winston Churchill to strike back immediately. However, he proved unable to build on his success at Alamein and was replaced as Commander-in-Chief Middle-East in August 1942 by General Harold Alexander and as Eighth Army commander by Lieutenant-General William Gott. Gott was killed in an air crash on his way to take up his command and so Lieutenant-General Bernard Montgomery was appointed in his place. Alexander and Montgomery were able to resist the pressure from Churchill, building the Army's strength and adding a pursuit formation, X Corps, to the Army's XIII and XXX Corps.

Very good group. Italy Star, Africa Star 1935-45 Medal Defence Medal 1939-45 Star. 1st Army Bar. The British First Army was reformed during the Second World War. It was formed to command the American and British land forces which had landed as part of Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of French North Africa, in Morocco and Algeria on 8 November 1942. It was commanded by Lieutenant-General Sir Kenneth Anderson. The First Army headquarters was formally activated on 9 November 1942 when Anderson arrived in Algiers to assume command of the redesignated Eastern Task Force.

The First Army initially consisted of American and British formations only. After the surrender of French forces following the German abrogation of their armistice agreement with Vichy France, French units were also added to the First Army's order of battle. It eventually consisted of four corps, the US II Corps, the British V Corps, British IX Corps and French XIX Corps.

After the landings, Anderson's forces rushed east in a bid to capture Tunis and Bizerte before German forces could reach the two cities in large numbers. They failed. Following that lack of success, a period of consolidation was forced upon them. The logistics support for the First Army was greatly improved and bases for its accompanying aircraft greatly multiplied. By the time General Sir Bernard Montgomery's British Eighth Army approached the Tunisian border from the east, following its long pursuit of Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel's forces after El Alamein, the First Army was again ready to strike.

Supported by elements of XII Tactical Air Command and No. 242 Group RAF, the First Army carried the main weight of General Sir Harold Alexander's 18th Army Group's offensive to conclude the Tunisian Campaign and finish Axis forces in North Africa off. The victory was won in May 1943 in a surrender that, in numbers captured at least, equalled Stalingrad. Shortly after the surrender, the First Army was disbanded, having served its purpose.  read more

Code: 25173

A Very Good WW2 German NSKK Sleeve or Kepi Eagle

The NSKK were the motorized section of the Political SA Sturm Abeitlung, or Storm troopers they were all part of the political section of the uniformed Nazis under the control of Himmler's SS. They were instrumental in training dedicated men for service in armoured vehicles and even tanks and many NSKK members were subsequently transferred or volunteered to the Waffen SS Panzer Divisions at the outbreak of war. By 1943, almost all of the NSKK was on active service with either the Army or the Waffen SS.  read more

Code: 19801

1917 US Bayonet, The *U.S. Model 1913 ‘1917’ Dated Remington Bayonet and Scabbard.

Excellent plus, and an exceptional example. The American U.S. Model 1913 , 9 1917 Bayonet in leather and steel scabbard with frog button mount. Known as a 'sleeper', in the collecting market, in that it was put into storage in 1946 and hasn't seen the light of day since, we have just acquired a super collection of bayonets all in stored condition since the end of the war.

This is a superb 1913- 1917 pattern bayonet marked to the blade with 1913 and 9 1917 over Remington in a circle on one side and U.S. on the other. These bayonets were originally manufactured by the U.S. in WWI and acquired by the British in WWII for use mainly by the Home Guard.

Pattern 1913/17. In excellent order with frog mount. Made by Remington. The pattern of bayonet that was continually used in WW2 by the British Home Guard. With twin cuts in the wood grip added to differentiate for British forces that it was the American bayonet and not a British 1907 Wilkinson.

Originally the bayonet design was made for the British in September 1917 (the 9 17 mark) by Remington in the US as the 1913 Pattern intended to be issued with the P14 Rifle in .303 inch calibre. However, when America entered the war they changed production of the P14 rifle over to .30 inch calibre, at which point it became their M17 rifle. As the calibre change meant no alteration to the bayonet was required they basically took the unfinished/unshipped bayonets and made them American property by over-stamping the British marks with American marks, thus becoming M1917 bayonets.

We can hand polish this bayonet beautifully for the next owner, or leave just as is.  read more

Code: 25111