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GROUPING OF WWII GI “BRING BACK” ITEMS, INCLUDING

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:600.00 USD Estimated At:1,200.00 - 1,600.00 USD
GROUPING OF WWII GI “BRING BACK” ITEMS, INCLUDING

AN AFRIKA CORPS CAMOUFLAGE HELMET.
This interesting group brought back from Germany at the end of WWII by Lt. John M. Shea of 66th Ordnance Company who served in Africa, Italy, and France. The group includes 1 M1935 Luftwaffe double decal helmet overpainted with sand tan camouflage paint. The Luftwaffe eagle decal on the left side can be seen under the paint, as can the National Colors decal on the right side of the helmet. Original brown leather chinstrap with 8-tongue brown leather liner. There is no visible stamp on the inside rear of the helmet, and the inside left stamp has been obliterated by paint. The group further includes 1 silver cigarette case marked “KRAFT ALPACCA” with an “HH” monogram on the front. / 1 WWII Iron Cross 2nd class with ribbon. / 1 WWII Merit Cross with swords & ribbon. / 1 US Navy Mark 2 fighting knife by Camillus N.Y. with standard USN mark 2 sheath. / 2 Period 66th Ordnance Company documents. / 1 Letter dated August 5, 1945 from John Shea to a friend. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: a notarized letter from the nephew of John M. Shea attesting to descent of the items within the family upon the death of Lt. Shea in 1996. CONDITION: helmet finish is approx. 80%. Luftwaffe decal is 30% visible. National Colors decal is 10% visible. Cigarette case shows light wear, as do both medals. Knife shows light to moderate use. Documents are a bit discolored. PROVENANCE: From the Lifelong Collection of Glen E. Mattox. (02-18227/BF). $1,200-1,600.