Item 2052 WW1 French fragmentation grenade (inert)
This is a nice example of a NON-EXCAVATED WW1 French fragmentation grenade which was a US WW1 veteran bring-back. The body still retains portions of the original horizon blue paint. All components are original to the piece and have no damage. SOLD
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'Item 2051 WW1 French Chasseur helmet.
Here is a very decent example of the hard-to-find M1915 Adrian with an originally applied Chasseur frontal badge. The paint is the early HB type and the liner is the first pattern with all attaching prongs intact. The chinstrap is broken. Overall an above average example. $325.00
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Item 2052 WW1 British issue Kuhkri knife for Indian soldiers, dated 1915
Kuhkri knives have always had a bad rap for being cheap pieces of pooh-pooh. Ever since those Chinese or Indian made ones showed up back in the 70s being sold for $19.00. Please don't confuse this with one of those .
This is one of the rarest fighting knives of any time and any nation. An actual WW1 British issue Kuhkri. Issued to Indian Gurhka troops in France and on the Palestine front. The scabbard is original and has the pockets containing two skinning knives. The blade is in very nice shape and is well marked/dated. $445.00
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Item 2050 WW1 US camouflage helmet.
Here is a great US M1917 helmet with a three color camouflage pattern. As most of these US camos are; this one was no-doubt inspired by the camouflage patterns that the US soldiers saw on captured German helmets. The paint rates at 95% while the liner remains in excellent condition with the small instruction tag still intact as well as the size marking. If you ever wanted just one of these, this one would be the one to have. SOLD
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Item 2049 WW1 French 1 liter canteen, ca. 1915
This is a nice and complete French 1 liter 2-spout M1877 canteen. As widely produced and used until the 2-liter model came out in 1916. This particular canteen has a 1915 era "ersatz" corduroy cover. ( the term "1915 era "ersatz" refers to the period of 1915-early 1916 period when the French army was undergoing a rapid expansion and contracts for various equipment were dispersed widely among manufacturers; often with relaxed specifications regarding materials and construction methods) The cover is in very good condition with sound stitching and tie-string grommets. The cork and wooden stopper are both present. The carry strap is a riveted construction ersatz type which is correct for the period in which this canteen set was produced. The cup is an unmarked tin-steel type of pre-1918 manufacture. Price $155.00
Buy it today and pay hommage to the glory of France!!
You know, The WW1 French veteran is probably the most respectable thing to have sprung from French culture in the past 200 years. Mistreated and misused by their own commanders; these guys held the line against overwhelming pressure for 4 years. They bled the Germans white (much as did the Russians of WW2) throwing back the best that Falkenhayn or Ludendorf could throw at them. My hat is off to them.
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Item 2048 WW1 French M15 Infantry Adrian helmet
This is a nice original example of the standard French M15 Adrian with infantry (flaming bomb) badge affixed at the front. The helmet shell has no dents or dings, 95% of it's original paint. The liner is intact and sound. The size is medium. (about 7-7 1/8 hat size.) Chinstrap is lacking. SOLD
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Item 2044 WW1 US M1917 helmet
Here is a very neat soldier-art helmet from a veteran of the 129th infantry regiment (US 33rd division). No ID. No liner but a very nice shell. $75.00
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Item 2040 WW1 French M1855/17 mess kit
This mess kit has 90% of it's original colonial brown paint remaining. The mess kit is the standard m1855 type with the 1917 addition of a tinned steel plate which is pressed between the main body and the lid. This modification (or simple addition) is one of the results of the 1917 mutiny in which the French army later decided to grant some concessions; among them some modifications or enhancements of personal gear in order to improve the soldiers living conditions. The mess kit in general is in excellent condition. Quite rare to find them like this anymore. Price $145.00
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Item 2033 WW1 French/US Chauchat gunner's bag
This is quite a rare item. Very few are found in the US. Although it was a French made item; many were issued to and used by US machine-gunner equipped with the M1915 CSRG "Chauchat" machine rifle. However few US servicemen retained them to bring back to the US. The canvas is in good condition. The small grommets surrounding the drawstring holes are loose. The leather is intact as well as all stitching. There is the trace of the original French corps level acceptance stamp on the inside flap. Price $225.00
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Item 2028 WW1 US grouping, 126th Inf regt. 32nd division
This is a group of items from the estate of Joseph Kearney of Bay city, Michigan. The overseas hat was worn by Kearney in post-war veterans meetings with the VFW. The 32nd division patch is an original WW1 insignia which has been sewn to the hat. The hat is named to Kearney on the inside. There is also a re-union medal named to Kearney as well as the unit histories of the 32nd division and the 350 page unit history of the 126th regiment. Price $170.00
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Item 2022 WW1 French A.R.S. gas mask.
The Model 1917 gas mask was referred to by it's initails; A.R.S. ( Appareil Respiratoire Special or "Special respiratory apparatus") This example is in well above average condition. Which may not be saying a lot because the average condition of these masks is worse than terrible. The vast majority of the time the masks have turned to powder. This mask is still in one piece. Although the chemical impregnated cloth body has some crinkliness to it, it is reasonably intact. The carry can retains most of it's original paint and the carry straps are sound. The bottom of the can is dated 1918. A very interesting gas mask which saw service through out the French army and was issued to US troops under French control. SOLD
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Item 2021 WW1 British pattern '08 small pack and strap
Pattern 1908 kit is just not something that you find every day. This small pack is a bit faded on the outside but has not been blanco'd or dyed. It is marked and dated 1918 on the inside flap. The carry strap is in near mint condition with 1918 date. Price $195.00
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Item 2019 WW1 French "Ersatz" mess kit.
This is fine example of a 1915 period "ersatz" version of the standard M1855 mess kit. This one was produced with a large wire carrying bale instead of the more commonly see wire handles which were fixed directly to the sides of the body. This model does not have the insert plate (that came later as a modification of the mess kit as a result of general improvements brought about by the 1917 mutiny in the French army) This example is quite rare and comes from my personal collection. It is in excellent condition with 95% of it's original tin-plating. Maker marks or dates? The French rarely applied these in the best of times. You'll never find an ersatz mess kit with such markings. Price $225.00
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Item 2018 WW1 French Kilometer marking figure
This is a very neat 1920s made terra-cotta 6 inch tall copy of the kilometer marking stones which were placed alongside of the "voie-sacree"; the road which runs from Verdun down to bar-le-duc and was the only road left open during the Verdun battle. It was the only vein open for supply of the beleagured city and through which was poured the life-blood of France in such immense draughts. These were available at souvenir shops in Verdun from the 1920s to the beginning of the second war. Very nice condition. Price $50.00
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Item 2010 WW1 French Adrian helmets
This is an original WW1 produced French Adrian helmet with Infantry badge that has been stripped and re-painted in the correct 1917 era lusterless blue-grey paint. The liner and chinstrap are high-quality reproductions. The size of this helmet is LARGE. I wear a 7 3/4 hat size and it almost fits me. It will safely fit a 7 1/2. The French produced three helmet sizes and this is the largest (and very rarely encountered) size. If you are looking for a French Adrian helmet to wear, you can't do better than this. Price $275.00 ** Temporarily SOLD out**
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Item 2008 WW1 British mess kit
This is a great example of the kidney shaped mess kit that was issued by the British army through-out WW1 (actually this pattern goes back almost to the time of that scuffle between Wellington and Napoleon). This is a WW1 produced mess kit that is partially maker marked by a company in Birmingham. I can't make out the whole marking and there is no visible date. The lower portion is broad-arrow marked near the lip. there is a number 65 but rest assured that is not the date. They haven't made these since 1919. Overall excellent condition. Super clean on the inside and no dents or leaks. Price $130.00
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Contact Information
E-mail: wii1944@aol.com
- Postal address
- Ken Niewiarowicz
- P.O.Box 582
- Lapeer, Michigan, 48446