Airborne Items - Advice Sought

[Roy]

Hi Gents,

I have a very good friend (retired US Airborne) who has been offered a chest full of items and has asked me (and in tern I ask you) for assistance in authentication and valuation etc. I believe the items originate from a family friend of my contact and were put together by a now deceased WWII veteran who was (so I understand) possible US or Canadian paratrooper.

Details are limited at this time and I'm hopeful of more information and images. But I said I would help, so wanted to start with a photo or two.

I have posted in the British section as generally I'm unsure of the origin of some of these items, so thought this may be a good 'catch all' area to post.

My friend is hoping to purchase 'all' of these items (more image to share soon including insignia relating to Para and FSSF) but being the gentleman that he is, also want to offer the family a fair and honorable price. So any and all advice you can give would be most appreciates. I'm out of my depth on most of these pieces so hopeful you chaps can assist.

First pics appear to show a Denison smock and possibly a Para helmet as the choice items.

Cheerio,

Roy

[arrestingu]

Hi
I think your smock, is early wartime , £600/£1200 , depends if it is named etc
Helmet is it dated ?? Etc probably if wartime Mark 2 £600 to £800
Not that up on prices ...just what I have seen.
Best Steve.

[Luc]

It is a first pattern smock, mostly made of the early handpainted fabric but the pockets and tail are made of the later screenprinted fabric. Depending on condition 1000 GBP or more. The knee protectors have been copied from the Germans and have not been widely used by the British airborne and subsequently not highly collectable, worth 100-150 GBP. Helmet would greatly depend on type and condition. Helmet cover appears German. The webbing is not worth very much.

[JerryBB]

The helmet cover is SS and if real worth good money, probably is good if it is all his own stuff but perhaps not if he did he collect it later.

[arrestingu]

Helmet cover is SS oakleaf pattern , if original rather rare desirable.
Regards
Steve

[Roy]

Thanks Guys,

This is all useful information and I'm very grateful. I will continue to chat with my friend and in due course post more images of other items.

Cheers,

Roy

[Mike_2817]

Originally Posted by Luc

It is a first pattern smock, mostly made of the early handpainted fabric but the pockets and tail are made of the later screenprinted fabric.

The mix of fabric intrigues me! Did this happen on many smocks? and do you find it 'the other way round' ?

[Paul Spellman]

Originally Posted by Mike_2817

The mix of fabric intrigues me! Did this happen on many smocks? and do you find it 'the other way round' ?

Likely a transition from using from stock a late 1941 hand painted ‘Brushstroke’ smock and the addition of early 1942 Roller Printed pockets etc.
Probably not unique but certainly rare
Paul

Note: Non Fast Colours where used on the early hand painted Denisons but the dye solutions were erratic causing the excessive fading if cleaned or weathered.

[54Bty]

Did they wear DZ flashes during WW2.

Marc

[grey_green_acorn]

Originally Posted by 54Bty

Did they wear DZ flashes during WW2.

Marc

DZ flashes were not worn in WW2 but the well used smock could have been worn into the 1960s or later. Looks like a blue 2 PARA DZ flash which were originally cut from blue ‘shorts PT’.

TIM

[Slinky Cat]

It’s pretty common to see first pattern smocks with a mix of hand painted and screen printed

Looks like it’s been used post war with the full zip conversion and blue 2 Para DZ patch

Value probably about £600, not a particularly desirable smock. Could probably get more if it didn’t have the DZ patch on

[Roy]

Hi Gent's,

I just got a couple of updated images of what looks to be that helmet cover.

Cheers,

Roy

[Roy]

And here's another image of the smock I was just sent.

Cheers,

Roy

No idea why the one loaded upside down, must be Australian..

[fairlie63]

Originally Posted by Roy

And here's another image of the smock I was just sent.

Cheers,

Roy

No idea why the one loaded upside down, must be Australian..

[Luc]

Originally Posted by Mike_2817

The mix of fabric intrigues me! Did this happen on many smocks? and do you find it 'the other way round' ?

They are found on smocks that were produced late 1942/early 1943 when they changed the fabric. I have never seen a smock the other way around as you put it, but I would not be surprised to find such smocks were made.

It is not very common but they do sometimes appear, please find attached picture of a smock that I sold years ago.