Now I liked the look of this little collection on ebay, thought about putting a small bid in for it, but as has happened many times, I forgot. Went back to it and the lot went for £141 ! Am I missing something or is there something quite rare amongst that lot for it to go for such a price...? Below is the auction description with a couple of pics. This lot includes 4 pieces of shrapnel (3 big, 1 small), a 39-45 Star medal (unengraved), five brass RAF buttons, a pocket brass telescope and two items which we can only assume were parts of a bomb? Admittedly the 12cm (extended) telescope is probably WW1 in origin. It's in good condition but does have some corrosion under the lens. Luckily, as our picture will show, this doesn't impede vision too much. Other than this the brass buttons just need a clean and the medal, unfortunately has been over cleaned. These pieces all came from the same source so could be considered one soldiers war momentos... Uploaded with ImageShack.us Uploaded with ImageShack.us Uploaded with ImageShack.us Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Am I missing something or is there something quite rare amongst that lot for it to go for such a price...? Well, i don't know what the normal asking price is, but there's something I'd regard as quite rare... ...a Flechette! A dart dropped by the boxload from early-war scouting aircraft onto infantry below; supposed to be behind the "Angel of Mons" legend.... http://www.big-ordnance.com/Flechettes/Flechettes.htm Angels of Mons - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
One's eyes do immediately fall on the flechette. Seen in museums, but I've not often seen 'em at Militaria shows. So who knows what the Brass cone is? Ordnance? Or something far more prosaic to do with buttons or similar?
I can't help thinking I've seen something like it before... If it wasn't for the fact that it's not marked in any way, I'd wonder if it was a small-bore tompion of some sort...? Except that would normally be wood... Smooth end, and a pointy end - definitely for pushing into something....or pushing/picking something out.
Hi, I was surprised to see the combination of the e-bay items and had to check a similar collection was still in my father's box. The "Flechette" as I now understand they are called, have had some very handy treatment, sorry I was very young. My grand father had many of these and different types I suppose they were handed out to the grand children. I didn't know they were rare, NOT for sale.
Hi, I was surprised to see the combination of the e-bay items and had to check a similar collection was still in my father's box. The "Flechette" as I now understand they are called, have had some very handy treatment, sorry I was very young. My grand father had many of these and different types I suppose they were handed out to the grand children. I didn't know they were rare, NOT for sale. Cracking shots of Dragons, aerial flechettes... Just what else is in this box? (Not that I'm the tiniest bit jealous of your handsomely painted toys... oh no, not me ) This looks like yours, SD. Any markings on the fins? International Ammunition Association {iaaforum.org} - View topic - WWI era flechette
Hi, There is quite a lot in this box. The box itself is steel, a tool box from an army vehicle I believe, not sure which side. Inner lid is wood lined with document holder type frames. There are stenciled text on the top but cann't remember what it says. It contains(ed) family medals, badges, some german stuff which disappeared! Photographs of course and my interest just at the moment 1st. WW USA Silver Star Grt. uncle. Can anyone recommend a site similar (if that's possible) to this where I can follow up my enquiries. I will post more from my archive but 50%ish is WWI (Will stop putting this stuff away) I can not see any text on the fins or any other part. Neil
Well I never, you learn something every day, I'll keep an eye out in future, don't like my chances of seeing another though... Interesting site thanks for the link
