UK 2017 finds

[Wingnutt]

Greg, I remember well your kind offer of the front plate. The front plate on this unit is a different colour being ripple brown instead of green.

Well, it's only kind if I actually send it. I also remember capturing all the dimensions and roughing out a schematic to make one, which turns out unnecessary now that you have a model. As you can see, it really is just two pieces of sheet metal with the edges bent to shape. I wonder if the ripple brown is a postwar tell. Mine is OD. Where is the photo of your other one by the way? Please post a link. I will start a thread so we don't side track your jumble/flea/auction finds thread and post mine there as well. Do we have any period photos? I have a photo of one that was collected that is supposedly intact, with tools, that was in a Signal Corps tool-set. And I think we have Dave's G-61 truck photos. For comparisons.

[Wingnutt]

I finally got my hands on this today after waiting for a month. Unfortunately the guy took the top off of it because he didn't think they went together. He still has it so hopefully they will be re-united again

I missed this the other day! That is a wonderful cabinet, Rog, with a lot of character. I love the bottom drawers with the uneven handles. For me, these are the kind of features that add that 'been-there, done-that' look to a piece that perfect NOS surplus items just don't do for me.

[Silly's MB]

I have not been out for a while so the sun was shining and I stepped out and was pleased to find this True Temper Axe today. It is the first US axe I have found at the Flea and still has good markings. The handle has been replaced with a British Army handle with a Broad Arrow and dated 1939, it is also possibly marked JSS which normally is the initials of Joseph Sankey and Sons who were better known for their helmets and also De-Havilland parts. The handle is as strong as the day it was made but unfortunately the PO has used some rather coarse sandpaper cleaning it up in preparation for sale.

[pjones]

Very nice Roger! Definitely an awesome find. Is it going on the jeep?
Phil

[Silly's MB]

Its tempting but I like the unconventional Pick Axe I have at the moment as sometimes seen on Commonwealth Jeeps, sometimes with the T handled shovel.

[Silly's MB]

Jeep July2014a.jpg (179.25 KiB) Viewed 1182 times

[pjones]

Gotcha. Can't blame you. That looks great Roger!
Phil

[70th Division]

Great find indeed !
You have a fantastic jeep there, very nice paint job !!!!


Interestingly ...... does that British Jeep with the Sherman have a canvas spare tire cover installed on the spare tire ??

I have never seen that before , if that is what is shown in that great picture.

Best Regards,

Ray

[Silly's MB]

Thanks Ray,
I am not sure if is an official tire cover (probably not) but tyres are sometimes seen with a groundsheet thrown over them, maybe to disguise the distinctive shape.

[mudbox]

Wow! Very cool find, Roger. Interesting to see the '39 /|\ marked handle on there. Do you think they axe heads were sent over in bulk and then hung on a haft?

Great looking Jeep. Thanks for sharing the pics.

-Jason

[Silly's MB]

Cheers Jason,
Hard to say about the haft but I think it may of been replaced in use as the wedge does not look quite correct.

[Wingnutt]

That's what I would suspect - a replacement at some point in time, and perhaps not even during the war. Does the haft with the 1939 Broad Arrow have a doe foot end? Did British axes have a doe-foot end?

Going back to your unorthodox pioneer kit, Roger, I love the mattock! And the intricate strapping of the head to the haft looks infinitely more secure than the one in the middle period photo, which looks like it's about to fall off the jeep!

[Hartofoak]

Nice find Roger. if you want an "original" handle for it and you have loads of cash, there's one on ebate UK at the moment:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rare-Vintage- ... 1438.l2649

[Silly's MB]

Thanks Cliff, I don't think I would want to mess up the brush cutter, it looks great as it is !

I like the combination of axe head and shaft on this axe as I have never been a fan of NOS condition and it really is in a great state.