1955

A WWI MARINE GROUP BELONGING TO CHARLES W. ECKELS,

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:600.00 USD Estimated At:1,200.00 - 1,800.00 USD
A WWI MARINE GROUP BELONGING TO CHARLES W. ECKELS,

SR. & WWII ARMY ITEMS BELONGING TO CHARLES W. ECKELS, JR. This rare, mostly WWI Marine group consists of a heavy winter weight green wool tunic with 4 pockets in the front and tabs at the shoulder. The front buttons with 5 subdued Marine coat buttons and the pockets and shoulder tabs button with subdued Marine cuff buttons. The collar has 2 subdued Marine Corps collar disks. The left shoulder has a WWI Marine 2nd Infantry Division patch consisting of a red Indian head on a white star on a blue 4 pointed shield. There are 2 gold bullion overseas chevrons 8" above the cuff on each side. A button hole has a watch chain attached to it that holds 2 dog tags for Private Charles Eckels, both marked "USMC" along with a can opener. On the left breast pocket is a Marine Corps good conduct medal, a WWI Victory medal with "MEUSE-ARGONNE" & "ST. MIHIEL" bars. There is also a Marine Sharpshooter badge with "1919" bar and a French Croix de Guerre. Attached to the left shoulder is a Fourragere Croix de Guerre aiguillette. A similar Marine hat is included with the same color green crown and band with a subdued EGA insignia and subdued side buttons. The visor and chinstrap are brown. The sweatband is marked "TRADEMARK ALCO BRAND REG. U.S. PAT. OFF. PATENTED. MAY. 19, _ _ _ _". A second uniform included is a summer weight, cotton khaki Army uniform with 5 subdued US coat buttons down the front and subdued US cuff buttons on the pockets and shoulder tabs. The collar has subdued US and crossed rifles collar insignia. The shoulder has a 2nd Infantry Division patch consisting of a red Indian head on white star all on a blue 3 pointed shield. Above the left cuff are 2 chevrons with 1 at the right cuff. An M1917 helmet is included with 2 large shrapnel holes in the front. Helmet has a complete liner and chinstrap. The group also includes a 10 pocket cartridge belt with auxiliary pouch below, an aluminum canteen in holder and a WWI M1917 trench knife in scabbard with inside knuckle bow marked "A.C. CO. U.S.A. 1917". There is also a tan pouch and a very battered bugle. Along with these items are 2 boxes of personal belongings of Charles Eckels Sr. and Jr. that include, but is not limited to, WWI & WWII European and American stamps, Marine and Army patches, discharge papers, newspaper clippings, matchbook covers, postcards, WWI German currency, WWII letters, WWII currency, photographs and much more. Finally, there is a WWII Private 1st Class shirt with an Army Service Forces patch. CONDITION: most items generally show light wear. The wool uniform does show minor moth damage as does the wool hat. Trench knife shows very light wear. (02-16843-1 & 02-16909/BF). $1,200-1,800.