Item 2060 WW1 British Rum ration jar
I used to spend a lot of time in Northern France around the battlefields. Used to be; you could find these things in local flea markets and sales. This one is in pretty nice shape. with no chips cracks or damage. Maker marked. These are never found dated. The "S.R.D" was meant to indicate "Service ration depot"....the soldiers referred to them as "Soon Runs Dry" or "Seldom or rarely delivered". You can take your pick. SOLD
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Item 2061 WW1 British Rum ration jar
Here is another decent example of the fired pottery run jug (about 2 US gallons in size) which held the soldiers daily rum ration during WW1. This one comes from the Somme region of Northern France. It is wise to keep these corked as invariably a mouse will find his way inside, will die and then lay there and stink the thing up. No way to get him out. But fear not....this one is "mouse free". Has a chip at the lip. SOLD
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Item 2053 WW1 French M1915 Helmet
Here is a very good specimen of the French M1915 helmet with infantry badge. The paint is 95% intact. The badge is original to the helmet. The size is small but obviously this particular soldier had an even smaller head as he rolled up a newspaper and lined the helmet interior with it to make the fit better. You can see a prtion of it between the fingers of the liner leather. I have not removed the paper but I am sure you would find a 1917 or 1918 date on it. The chinstrap is original to the helmet and is soundly affixed. SOLD
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Item 2054 WW1 French mess kit
This is a very nice example of the French Model 1855 mess kit as used throughout WW1. (shows you how often the French army updated their gear) Nice and usable with most if it's original tin plating. SOLD
In the 1973 movie "Pappilion" which is about the French penal colony at Devil's Island; you can see these M1855 mess kits in use by Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman. How is that for realism in hollywood?
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Item 2055 WW1 French soldier's issue cup
One of the "Iconic" items of WW1 French kit. Seen everywhere in use by every French "Poilu". This example is in nice shape with most of it's original tin plating. Quite usable. SOLD
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Item 2057 WW1 French "Boutelion" soup carrier
One of these was issued to every 6th or 8th man in a unit. It was intended to be used to carry up the daily soup/stew ration. (The french were big on soup...but oddly never heard of Cambell's "French onion")
This example is in excellent condition. One of the nicest I have ever seen. No dents, dings or leaks. Perfectly usable. The tin plating is 95% or better. 100% original pre-1919 manufacture. $175.00
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Item 2058 WW1 French "Plat a quatre"
Literally the "plate for 4"; theoretically one was carried by every fourth man or two per squad. Meant to prepare rations in the trenches. (You have to love the way the French thought about these things)
This example is in excellent condition. One of the nicest I have ever seen. No dents, dings or leaks. Perfectly usable. The tin plating is 95% or better. 100% original pre-1919 manufacture. $95.00
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Item 2059 WW1 French 2 liter canteen w/ cover & strap
This canteen was obviously issued to a soldier in one of the colonial units. (France made great use of soldiers from their North African colonies. By all accounts, these soldiers fought savagely) The brown cover is completely intact and all stitching is sound. The soldier has added a personalized bit of graffiti to one side. The original stopper is present as well as the original sling. $150.00
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Item 2052 WW1 US camouflage helmet, well ID'd
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 is long gone. The helmet is ID'd to H. Vanderlinder of Co. K, 52nd regiment. One of the more attractive examples I have seen in a while. $285.00
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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
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 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 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....really, I don't know when I will find other large shells to restore.**
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Contact Information
E-mail: wii1944@aol.com
- Postal address
- Ken Niewiarowicz
- P.O.Box 582
- Lapeer, Michigan, 48446