American Historical Ephemera & Photography

Russian Army Trench Periscope, approx. 22-1/2” long, one end pointed. Optics seem OK. Paint worn off behind eyepiece. Others nicks to paint. Field used. (no case)

Civilian gas mask, MIA2-1-1. On OD green cloth bag: “Noncombatant Gas Mask / MIA2-1-1 / Medium Adult.” These were developed for individuals working in civil defense and those in U.S. Army-designated “target areas.” This simple design by Randolph Monro influenced future mask development. The first designs were also intended to be mass-produced, so simple is always better for that. Most of the masks produced were not issued, but released through the surplus market. This one appears unused.

A.A. range indicator, New Haven (CT): A.C. Gilbert Company, 1944.

Four arm patches, two each for 4th Armored Division and 14th Armored Division. The first (4th) was part of Patton’s 3rd army and involved in the rescue of troops at the Battle of the Bulge in Bastogne. This division never had a “real” nickname. It was said that “4th division” was “Name enough.” The 14th was deployed to the European Theater of Operations in October 1944. It defended the Franco-Italian frontier. After a short break in Feb. and early March 1945, it headed north capturing towns on the Rhine River.

Panoramic photograph by Horen, New London, of the 152nd Amb. Co. - 18th Med. Regt. – Capt. F.J. Harris, Comdg. Niantic, Conn., Aug. 4 - 18th, 1929.”  8 wide x 35-1/2” long.

Realphoto postcard, with manuscript cations in the negative “Marine Barracks, Port Royal, S.C. / Wall Scaling.”