Monthly Archives: January 2016

IDENTIFIED WWII 15TH AIR FORCE B-24 GUNNER’S PAINTED A-2 FLIGHT JACKET GROUPING. ORIGINAL WWII USAAF PAINTED A-2 FLIGHT JACKET GROUPING NAMED TO B-24 AERIAL GUNNER SERGEANT PHILLIP L. FRITZ 15TH AIR FORCE, 49TH BOMB WING, 484TH BG, 827TH BS COMPLETELY ORIGINAL J. DUBOW MANUFACTURED JACKET GUARANTEED 100% ORIGINAL, AUTHENTIC & UNALTERED INCLUDES DOG TAGS, AIR MEDAL, PATCHES, ID BRACELET & MORE! BEAUTIFUL MUSEUM QUALITY PAINTED A-2!! PLEASE READ ENTIRE DESCRIPTION. With this Beautiful A-2 you also receive a LARGE collection of items used and worn by Sergeant Fritz during WWII. EVERY Item is GUARANTEED 100% to have been worn or used by Sergeant Fritz During WWII and Many items bear his name or partial service number. The Jacket is in VERY GOOD to EXCELLENT CONDITION and is COMPLETELY ORIGINAL, AUTHENTIC and UNALTERED from it WWII Configuration. The Jacket Maintains its ORIGINAL ZIPPER, ORIGINAL LINER, ORIGIAL CUFFS AND ORIGINAL WAISTBAND. NOTHING has been altered, repaired or replaced! The Jacket is VERY SOLID with ALL Leather Remaining Soft and Flexible. The Jacket Appears as though it Could Be Worn Today! The Uniforms, Cased Air Medal, USAAF Patches, AN-H-15 Flight Helmet and a Number of Other Pieces are in EXCELLENT Condition. All other items range from good to very good condition with one or two items being in fair condition. This is an Absolutely Beautiful, Museum Quality Collection from a VERY Historic and Highly Decorated Unit! You will not be disappointed with it when you see it! If you are interested in alternative methods of paying for this collection, you may want to look into PAY PAL CREDIT, formally known as Bill Me Later. We have used both services in the past with great success. WWII USAAF Painted A-2 Flight Jacket – VERY GOOD to EXCELLENT CONDITION. Extremely Nice, Completely Original WWII A-2 Flight Jacket Manufactured by J. DUBOW Manufacturing Company of Chicago, Illinois. Maintains its ORIGINAL Paint, Patches, Liner, Talon Zipper, Cuffs and Waistand. NOTHING has been altered, added or restitched. Specification tag remains in excellent condition and indicates a 1943 Contract Date. Jacket maintains its Excellent Condition Reddish Brown Knit Waistband and Cuffs that are Typically Associated with THIS Contract. Each cuff has a minor snag to the interior side facing the body that is only visible under inspection and not visible when displayed. There are two small snags to the rear of the waistband that are also small and very hard to see. Liner remains in very good condition with only minor signs of age, wear and use. ALL Leather remains soft, supple and flexible with a few minor scuffs. There are NO worn or thin areas anywhere to the leather and all leather remains VERY solid. The collar, shoulders and upper back also remain very solid and the leather to these areas is NOT worn thin, dry or heavily worn like most A-2’s we find. The ORIGINAL Talon Zipper Remains Undamaged and Functions Perfectly! To the Front of the Jacket are TWO Painted Leather Patches and a Painted Leather Name Tag. The tag bears the name PHILLIP L. FRITZ with 90% of the paint remaining to the Aerial Gunner’s Wing. Leather shows age and wear with some loose stitching to the viewer’s right side. To the Left Chest the jacket bears a 13.5 Centimeter Painted Leather 484th Bomb Group Patch that depicts both the Bow Tie Insignia and the Buzzard with the 50 Caliber Machine Gun Insignia that were utilized by three of the four squadrons within the group. The squadrons are differentiated by the numerical grouping of bullets in the Machine Gun Belt. In this case the number of bullets are “8, ” “2” and “7” for the 827th Bomb Squadron. Approximately 50% of the paint remains to the patch, but the images remain clearly visible and rather easy to distinguish. There is a small area of loose stitching to the edge of the patch at the 7 o’clock position. To the Right Chest is a Very Unique Custom Squadron Patch that Depicts an Aerial Gunner Looking Through the Window of an Emerson Nose Turret and Giving the sign of Thumbs Up! The nose turret identifies this gunner’s aircraft as a B-24G-1 or later varient of the Liberator. The Emerson turrets were an addition to later B-24’s in a effort to counter the Luftwaffe’s Head On methods of Attack. This patch is approximately 13.5 centemeters as well. Approximately 80 to 85% of the paint remains to this insignia and the image remains very clear with good, mostly bright color. It remains firmly stitched with no loose or missing threads and no cracking or damage. To the Right Shoulder is a Large Painted Leather American Flag Patch that shows considerable wear to the finish. The flag remains firmly stitched to the jacket and is constructed of thicker leather than the other patches. Approximately 45 to 50% of the red, white and blue paint remains. Very nice “war worn” depiction of our Nation’s Colors. To the Left Shoulder are two sets of stitch holes indicating that during the war two different patches were stitched to the jacket. The OUTER set of holes matches a Leather Patch that is Included With This Grouping but is no longer stitched to the jacket due to thread failure. The Patch is a Shield Shaped Varient of the 15th Air Force Insignia with Winged Star over “XV” and “MINNESOTA” on an Upper Rocker. The Inscription 484 B. Is Visible to the Base. Fortunately, only the stitching that held the patch to the jacket was damaged and the insignia remains in Very Good Condition. The leather remains soft, supple and undamaged with good color. In our opinion, the patch could easily be reattached to the jacket by someone who is patient and has the ability to neatly sew. The REAR of the Jacket Bears a LARGE B-24 “Liberator” with 484th Bomb Group Markings In Flight. Below the aircraft are EIGHT Flak Bursts, SIX of Which are exploding to reveal the words “ITALY, ” “GERMANY, ” “AUSTRIA, ” “YUGOSLAVIA, ” “CZECHOLSL0VAKIA, ” and HUNGARY. This B-24 maintains approximately 85 to 90% of the Painted Image and Remains Very Bold, Distinctive and Easy to See. There is very minimal paint loss, fading and wear. It is Painted EXCEPTIONALLY WELL and is a Beutiful Artistic Rendering of a Liberator In Flight. The Artwork is Some of the BEST ORIGINAL ARTWORK That You Will Find on an Original A-2 in today’s market. The Flak Bursts are also Painted in a Very Artistic and Attractive Manner and show only minor signs of age and wear as wll. There is very minimal paint loss to these areas and all colors as well as the country names remain bold and easy to see. The interior tag at the collar as well as the small cloth tag to the interior right front pocket list the jacket as a SIZE 38. It is a very nice size jacket that fits easily on a mannequin torso. The Measurements Are: SLEEVES = 24 1/4 Inches Measured From Top Shoulder Seam to Cuff; BACK = 17 Inches Measured from Shoulder Seam to Shoulder Seam Across the Upper Back Just Below the Collar; CHEST = 21 Inches from Center Armpit Seam to Center Armpit Seam When Pulled Tight Across the Chest, Zipped Completely and On a Mannequin Torso. WWII USAAF AN-H-15 Summer Flight Helmet – EXCELLENT CONDITION. Helmet shows almost NO signs of age, wear or use. It is in very rarely seen condition. All leather remains soft and supple and the ear cups remain undamaged. There is no readily apparent soiling or staining and the interior remains near perfect. Sergeant Fritz partial service number is visible to the chamois in the front, forehead area. The ink stamped AAF Star Insignia remains visible to the front. Manufactured by BATES Shoe Company and the contract tag remains firmly stitched and indicates the helmet is a SIZE LARGE. WWII USAAF Summer Flight Suit – FAIR to GOOD CONDITION. This flight suit shows signs of age, wear and use. It has scattered light soiling and approximately four nickel to quarter sized holes, three of which are in the rear seat area. The right pocket is torn at the interior liner and a button is missing from the cuff of each leg. The Painted AAF Winged Star Insignia to the Left Shoulder shows considerable wear and fading, but remains visible. The ZIPPER Functions Perfectly and remains undamaged. The Contract / Specification Tag remains firmly stitched to the interior left chest and is in excellent condition. The tag to the collar and contract tag list this suit as a SIZE 38 MEDIUM. Enlisted Man’s Wool Four Pocket Dress Coat – EXCELLENT CONDITION. Coat shows only very minor signs of age, wear and use. NO Mothing, Soiling or Staining is visible. USAAF Winged Star Insignia to Left Shoulder and 15th Air Force Insignia to Right. Both patches remain in excellent condition and firmly stitched. Both sleeves maintain their Sergeant’s Chevron in excellent condition and remaining firmly stitched. All buttons are present, remain firmly stitched and in excellent condition. The “US” and AAF Winged Propelleer Collar Discs are also in excellent condition and maintain their proper WWII Flat Faced Clutches. The Interior of the Coat is also excellent with virtualy no signs of age, wear or use. The QMD tag to the lower right front pocket indicates the coat is a SIZE 38 LONG, however the stamp to the interior collar lists the coat as a 36. The MEASUREMENTS Are: CHEST = 19 1/4; BACK = 18 1/2; SLEEVES = 24 3/4. All measured in the same manner listed in the A-2 description. WWII Enlisted Man’s “IKE” Jacket – EXCELLENT CONDITION. This jacket shows almost NO signs of age, wear or use. It is in exceptional condition and does not appear to have ever been worn in service. However, there is ONE minor snag to the wool material that is smaller than a pencil eraser to the area of the upper right shoulder. To the left shoulder the jacket bears a USAAF winged star SSI that remains in excellent condition and firmly stitched. Both sleeves mainain their original sergeant’s chevrons also excellent and remaining firmly stitched. All buttons are present and also excellent. The jacket maintains its original “US” and Winged Propeller Collar Discs in Excellent Condition and Maintaining their Proper WWII Flat Faced Clutches. The Left Chest maintains its Original Aerial Gunner Wings that appear to be sterling and maintain their proper flat faced WWII Clutches. The left chest also maintains its WWII pin back three place ribbon bar. The ribbons are: 1. Air Medal Ribbon with TWO Oak Leaf Clusters Signifying MULTIPLE AWARDS, 2. Good Conduct, 3 EAME with THREE Stars signifying multiple tours in theater. The interior of the jacket is excellent with no apparent signs of age, wear or use. The QMD tag remains to the interior pocket and lists the jacket as a SIZE 38 Regular. The MEASUREMENTS Are: CHEST = 20 Inches; BACK = 19 Inches; SLEEVES = 25 Inches. WWII Enlisted Man’s Cotton Dress Shirt – VERY GOOD to EXCELLENT CONDITION. No damage or any sort. No Mothing, rips, tears or damage to seams. Minor signs of age, wear and use. Exterior remains crisp and displays very well. Some soiling/staining from wear is visible to the area of the Interior Collar, but is not visible when displayed. All buttons remain present and in excellent condition. To the Right Shoulder the shirt bear a 15th Air Force SSI in excellent condition and remaining firmly stitched. To the Left Shoulder the shirt bears a USAAF Winged Star SSI also in excellent condition and remaining firmly stitched. Both sleeves maintain their sergeant’s chevrons also in excellent condition and firmly stitched. The Shirt has No Size Tags or Markings. The MEASUREMENTS Are: CHEST = 20 1/2 Inches; BACK = 17 Inches; SLEEVES = 22 3/4 Inches; NECK = Approximately 15 to 15 1/2 Inches in Circumference. Measurements are taken in the same manner as listed in the A-2 description. WWII Complete Air Medal Set in Original WWII “Coffin” Case – EXCELLENT CONDITION. This cased Air Medal set is complete with its Lapel Pin, Wrap Around Broach Medal, Pin Back Ribbon and Pin Back Ribbon Wth TWO Oak Leaf Clusters. This Set is in NEAR MINT Condition. The Case is Truly Excellent Inside and Out. Sergeant Fritz WWII “Dog Tags” – FAIR CONDITION. Tags remain very easy to read and all information is clear. Remain on original chain but both of the tags and the chain have obvious areas of corrosion due to being worn for long periods of time while sweating. Engraved WWII Dated Sterling ID Locket Bracelet – GOOD CONDITION. Bracelet is Engraved “PHILLIP FRITZ” to the Front and “THE GANG – 3/4/44″ to the Rear. Bracelet remains undamaged with working clasp and locket hinge but is Heavily Tarnished. Would clean up to be a very nice, DATED piece. Separate Leather WWII Name Patch & Two Sets Leather Staff Sergeant Chevrons – GOOD CONDITION. Leather chevrons show no signs of ever being stitched to a garment and remains very solid. Leather name tag with aerial gunner’s wings appears to have been removed from a garment and shows age and wear to paint. FOUR WWII USAAF Circular Shoulder Insignia / Patches – EXCELLENT CONDITION. Two 1st Air Force Patchs, One 15th Air Force Patch and One Air Force Winged Star Patch. All in Excellent, Unused, Unworn Condition. SEVEN WWII Sergeant’s Cloth Chevrons – EXCELLENT CONDITION. Seven sets for use on shirts, coats, etc. WWII US Army Marksmanship Badges – GOOD CONDITION. Show age and heavy tarnish. One pin is bent, but remains in the clasp. Both are pin and clasp back. Markmanship Badge Marked Sterling. Expert Marksmanship Badge is unmarked. Both bear pistol bars. WWII Mess Kit – EXCELLENT CONDITION. Co with 1944 date. Shows only very minor signs of age and use. WWII US Army Canvas Leggings – VERY GOOD CONDITION. Show minor age, wear and use. No damage, minor soiling from wear. Maintain all metal fittings, grommets and buckles. WWII OD Green Wool Scarf – EXCELLENT CONDITION. Wool knit scarf that appears unused and unworn, near new condition. WWII Wool Long Sleeve Undershirt – FAIR CONDITION. Shows age, wear and use with several small holes and a tear/separation to a seam at the top of the right shoulder. WWII PARACHUTE First Aid / Survival Kit “FRYING PAN” Insert – FAIR CONDITION. Container shows age and wear but remains undamaged and maintains most of its original contents as can be seen in the photos. Case is solid with top and bottom, no cracks. Contents show age, some pieces in better conditin than others. Includes undamaged, round match stick container that maintains most of its contents. FIVE WWII Wool and Cotton Enlisted Garrison Caps – GOOD to EXCELLENT CONDITION. FIVE Garrison / Overseas Caps: OD Green Wool Caps are Excellent, one with Air Forces Piping. One Khaki with Air Forces Piping is Very Good. The Other Unpiped Khaki Caps are in Good Condition. All are approximately Size 6 7/8 to 7. WWII Khaki Waistbelts – GOOD to VERY GOOD CONDITION – B. Oth show minor signs of age and wear but remain very solid with no damage to the canvas webbing, buckles or end keepers. WWII GE A-14 Oxygen Mask Heater BOX ONLY – GOOD CONDITION. Marked Property US Army Air Forces with both the top and bottom portions. All markings are clear and easy to see. Not dry, rotten or brittle. Housed most of the small contents of this grouping when we obtained it. Maintains a single lead 45 caliber round and two cloth overseas service bars, which are visible in the photos. This is truly an outstanding grouping with an Exceptional Painted WWII A-2 Flght Jacket that is in Seldom Seen Condition. It remains an exquisite example that is in an exceptional state of preservation. The collection contains enough information for you to conduct further research on Sergeant Fritz and the grouping’s history, if you so choose. As collectors and dealers, we are all well aware of how difficult is is to find an identified painted A-2 from such a HISTORIC and HEAVILY Decorated Unit in todays market and this one just came “out of the woodwork” last year. We are VERY Confident that you will be VERY Pleased with this Grouping when you see it and Extremely Happy to Add it to Your Collection. This is without a doubt a Museum Quality Grouping and worthy of being displayed in any historical institution or within the collection of a Very Advanced Collector, anywhere in the world. PLEASE Examine ALL Photos Closely and Ask Any Questions thay you may have. We will provide you with inside information regarding our items and listings on a regular basis. If you are a serious collector, you will not want to miss out. We will be offering many more rare and museum quality groupings, collections and individual pieces in the near future. So, have your “Battle Plan” ready, because at any time we may list exactly what you are looking for!! Get Images that Make Supersized Seem Small. Auctiva’s Listing Templates improve your auctions in minutes. Attention Sellers – Get Templates Image Hosting, Scheduling at Auctiva. The item “IDENTIFIED WWII 15TH AIR FORCE B-24 GUNNER’S PAINTED A-2 FLIGHT JACKET GROUPING” is in sale since Thursday, January 21, 2016. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Militaria\WW II (1939-45)\Original Period Items\United States\Uniforms”. The seller is “geauxusa” and is located in Gulf Breeze, Florida. This item can be shipped worldwide.