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 | Luftwaffe Flying Boots - A very original set of the classic single zip pattern dating from around the middle of WWII. This model replaced the earlier Pst 4004 pattern that featured a double zip on each leg and so made better use of both materials and manpower. This pair is clearly earlier production than the late war 'economy' version boots we have also just listed.
These feature original 'Zipp' brand zips with a single lightning bolt which is characteristic of earlier production. The riveted leather pulls are still in place and the zips are both in good working order. The grain leather uppers are really very good shape;the nubuck sections at the top of legs show some wear and the left boot interestingly has a repair strip across it. We have no idea when this was done and could well be period. On the same boot the inner top nubuck section shows minor cracking to the surface finish. On display or displayed on mannequin we would not see any problems.
The Original soles with anti slip bump pattern are fitted and clearly branded with a hand motif and 'WO'. Unlike many examples we see these soles are not cracked and only show light service wear. Inside is in great shape and none of the mothing often found with very clean fur and apparently little wear. The labels are both very nice, clean and not washed out. These confirm these boots have not been mismatched as they both carry identical information. The size appears to be 28 1/2 and we believe the manufacturing date to be July 1944. The leg and instep straps are again all original with matched buckles.
Not much more we can say other than whilst not mint these boots are well above the average for an genuine issued set and would sit happily in a collection or dressed on an appropriate mannequin. I have owned these myself since 2006 but it is now time to rehome them. Good original wartime Luftwaffe issue boots are getting increasingly hard to track down now so grab these whilst you can!
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| Luftwaffe AK 39 Armbandkompass - An essential aid for downed Luftwaffe flight crew. The first model of the AK 39 was believed to have been introduced in 1939. This second pattern carries number Fl 23235-1 on the reverse side as well as the designation AK 39. Unusually it also has what looks like a production code number stamped reading 30232305. The compass bezel swings freely and aligns correctly to north although we can not guarantee its accuracy after 70 years! The transparent rotating bezel has black sighting marks (as opposed to the later red examples introduced in 1943). The underside has white /translucent sliding windows with red course makers which would have enabled the owner to set a marching route having first taken a bearing. The leather wrist strap is original to the instrument and the buckle is sound. When worn over a flying suit it would have had a strap extension fitted although many were simply looped on to the owners Schwimmveste; this example just carries the standard strap. Generally in excellent display condition although like most we have seen the air bubble in the damping alcohol is rather larger than when in service.
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| RAF Type H Oxygen Mask - First issued in early 1944 the H mask replaced the earlier G pattern and it remained in RAF service, with minor modifications, for the remainder of the 20th century. This example Stores Reference 6D/2244098 is broad arrow marked and was manufactured in March 1985 and has never been issued. When purchased it came complete in its original packaging with attached documentation that confirmed it was declared 'Serviceable' by 16 Maintenance Unit Stafford when last checked in December 1997! This example is marked 'Small' and is fitted with an Amplivox 13100 microphone and mint communication cord and female plug. A full elastic harness is fitted, again in unissued condition, with snaps and clips to use with RAF C, D & E pattern flying helmets as well as the later G. The harness also features the reversible 'quick connect' loops for use with the later metal oxygen mask hooks. If the mask is required without the elastic webbing harness please contact us for a separate price. Despite now being over 31 years old this example is effectively as good as they come and other than minor storage marks to the inner chamois lining, is close to mint condition. Like all items offered on the site this is for sale as a collectable only, although subject to the correct checks we feel it is highly likely it is still in working condition but we can't guarantee this. These masks are no longer in production so grab the opportunity now to purchase one of the last examples whilst our very limited stocks remain.
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| RAF Mk IIIA Flying Goggles - First issued in 1936, the pattern reflected the same design characteristics of the Mk III but with smaller face pads, as the earlier goggles were designed for open cockpit use. The Mk IIIA also featured curved Perspex lenses, like its predecessor, which caused distortion and also scratched easily so in the Battle of Britain many pilots chose not to wear them which resulted in many casualties during the conflict through burns and serious eye injuries. The design was also developed independently of the RAF B helmet and the strap arrangement did not work well with the large domed receiver cups. The result of all this was this model was quickly superseded and good examples are now very scarce.
This pair is way above the average and features none of the normal issues seen on this pattern. The brass frames are in great shape and retain almost all their black paint with both the hinge stops and ventilation trumpets in place. All four screws are present and the original leather nose cover is perfect. The Perspex lenses again excellent and just minor scratching. On the reverse side they are equally good with the velvet face pads showing signs of light service use but the inner padding is hardened, as normal. The back strap is near perfect; most Mk IIIA's we see have stretched or damaged springs/canvas covers whilst these are virtually as good as when they came out of the factory. The leather back strap perfect and the curled end is still in place ; these are often cut off for some reason. The friction adjustment buckle is in great condition and carries no rust. The stamping on the back strap is very feint and almost impossible to read. However under a magnifying glass we have been able to decipher the date of manufacture which is the magic 1940 and is followed by a broad arrow and an I below. Above it is the makers name and again whilst very feint we believe this could indicate these were made by Stephens & Co Ltd. Our research on line confirms William Stephens & Co made goggles for the RFC so looks like they continued as contractors to the Air Ministry although this set do not carry any AM stores reference information.
So to conclude this fine set meets or exceeds the time honoured collectors maxim: 'Always buy the best you can afford'.
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| WWII Military Desk Bell - A typical highly specified solid cast polished brass example with the button on the top engraved with a military broad arrow property mark, KF 0512 and clearly dated 1945 followed by AS. The bell operates exactly as intended and here in the Oldnautibits HQ every time it is sounded we can not help but to shout 'NEXT! Probably never used today in the 21 century but in the first half of the 20th century and through WWII every officious NCO would have had one on his office desk to call the next RAF or Army 'Erk' in line for his medical check up. We have no idea where this one served but clearly would have a story to tell despite the passing years. Fully functional today but I will refrain from listing possible uses here to avoid being labelled sexist! Measures 3 1/2" diameter and stands 3" high (8.5 cm x 7 cm). We have just one now remaining in stock and when that is gone they are gone. A perfect stocking filler which you won't find on Amazon. com!
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| Japanese Army Air Force Flying Goggles - very fine set of original WWII Japanese 'cats eye' flying goggles, first issued in the 1930's. They were fitted with large curved lenses, that gave them their distinctive look. The frames were made from lacquered metal, with a velveteen cushion and a soft silk nose cover. Goggles finished with black or reddish brown painted frames and green velveteen face pads are regarded as exclusively Army Air Force issue. Those with reddish brown or light bronze frames and brown face pads were used by both Army and Navy aircrew. Whilst the war progressed the quality of manufacture diminished due to shortages of materials.
These appear to be an early WWII set and are made to a very high specification. The black paint on the frames is near perfect and the glass lenses are virtually good enough to use as intended. The green velvet face cushions are in near mint condition. The light brown back strap has lost most of its elasticity but is otherwise perfect. It is attached to the goggle rings by leather fasteners. Late war production used plastic for this purpose so again confirming these are early goggles. The only ID mark we can find on these is beside the left attachment ring and appears to show a Chinese character looking something like an 'SS' in an elongated circle. If any visitors to the site can identify the manufacturer please get in touch and we will add to our description.
All in all a near perfect example of 'Cat's Eye' goggles that would be hard to upgrade. Those of you owning a copy of Mick Prodger's excellent 'Vintage Flying Helmets' will see a near identical set illustrated on page 312 top left. These would display well on the Japanese winter flying helmet we have also listed today.
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| RAF Reflector Gunsight Bulb - The Reflector Gunsight used a frosted, half-silvered bulb which lit up the aiming pattern at the bottom of the body of the sight. The bulbs were either 12 volt or 24 volt, depending on the aircraft and could have been used on late mark Spitfires, Typhoons or other fighter aircraft with a 24V system. The Reflector Gunsight Mk II was the mainstay of the RAF fighter from 1941 until the Mk IID Ferranti Gyro gunsights began to enter service in 1944;the advantage of this model was it would automatically compensate for the movement of the aiming aircraft. We have a small quantity of original 24 volt bulbs, all of which are silvered on the inside but some are blacked on the outer surface while others are silvered. Both specifications are shown in our image. The bayonet fitting is stamped Crompton, a broad arrow property mark, 'GUNSIGHT'and stores reference 5L/2041. The bulbs show some storage wear and we can't guarantee they are still working but they are complete and undamaged. Each gunsight used a single bulb and spares were then stored in a small rack in the cockpit of fighter aircraft although trying to change the bulb in flight at close to 400 MPH must have proved interesting! The price quoted is for a single bulb and lease specify with your order if you require the silvered or black painted option. Bulb measures 2.25" (5.5 cm)
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| RAF Trench Art Cigarette Box - a very nicely worked example in mahogany with an RAF Albatross badge applied to the lid This would appear to have been 'borrowed' from an Officers forage cap badge! When opened two fitted trays pop up with each holding 20 cigarettes. Elastic strips hold the cigarettes in place which are now slightly stretched. We don't have any provenance with it but suspect may have been created in the Middle East or North Africa in WWII. it measures 8.5" x 5" and stands 3" tall (22 cm x 13 cm x 8 cm).
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| Air Ministry Bristle Uniform Clothes Brush - A fine original RAF issue item made from polished hardwood and genuine bristles. The side is stamped with the AM crown property mark and the manufacturers detail 'H.B. & Co Warranted Bristle '. This modest item also carries the perfect 1940 date so could well have served during the Battle of Britain. Sadly we have no provenance to go with it but it is nice to speculate its use perhaps on a Fighter or Bomber Command command Officers No 1 uniform before a night in in the Mess. Minor service wear commensurate to use but generally in exceptional condition seeing it is now 75 years old! Measures 5.5" (14 cm)
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| British Army Air Corps Pilot's Brevet and Associated Badges - The AAC has its own distinctive pilot wings as with the creation of the Royal Air Force in 1918, the army lost its aviation capabilities. During the Second World War, the need for infantry trained parachutists precipitated the formation of the Army's Glider Pilot Regiment and the Army Air Corps (AAC) was created in 1942 to administer this new airborne division. Army pilots adopted their own pattern of qualification wings with a lion and crown to distinguish them from the RAF service. The pattern offered here was authorised for use from 1957 and features a Queens Crown surmounted by a sylasied lion and light blue embroidered wings set against a black felt background. They are of super quality and incorporate bullion wire on the crown and lion and we assume this to be a no 1 uniform dress brevet. Included with this lot are a pair of AAC lapel badges, a medal ribbon indicating the owner was entitled to a General Service Medal for operational service from 1962 and a Royal Observers Corps Medal, awarded from 1953. The group is completed by a pair Major's rank crowns. All these badges came in as a grouping and have at some stage been removed from a uniform and are guaranteed original service items. Wings measure 3.75" (9.5 cm)
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| RAF Observers Brevet - A nice early example of a flat 'O' brevet in oatmeal coloured silky thread, woven on a black felt backer. Initially, the observer was just that - a lookout. The pilot was responsible for all aspects of flight including navigation but as aircraft became more complex, the air gunner was added to the crew with the observer assisting the pilot with his navigation. Sometimes, a second pilot (usually a new pilot) acted as the observer to gain experience. This was how my late father experienced his first 'Ops' on Hampden's back in 1941, with 144 squadron.
With the advent of 'heavies' and night bombing, a dedicated crew member was required to plot the aircraft position, given his own plotting table and the role was replaced by the navigator ; thus the Observer function was superseeded in 1942. As an aside the the 'O' brevet was often referred to by other aircrew positions as "the flying a---hole"! This example is likely to date from early WWII period and it is in good issued condition and with the only fault being slight nibbles to the felt backer, but the silk wing itself is perfect. These are becoming less easy to find now. Measures 3.5" (9 cm)
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| RAF Khaki Felt Bush Hat - Otherwise referred to as a 'Slouch Hat' they had their origins in the Second Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1902, when the British Army learned from the Boers that their chosen civilian headgear had more practical advantages on campaign in both hot and wet climates over the 'Foreign Service' helmet. By the conclusion of the war virtually all British and Empire troops were issued with the slouch hat as a standard headdress. Comfortable to wear, the hat's wide brim shielded the eyes in bright sunlight and gave adequate protection in even the worst downpours and could be stowed easily, not suffering the consequences of being crushed. A cloth puggaree adorned the base of the hat, and when moistened with water this would cool the brow of the wearer in the hottest conditions. Those troops who fought in the initial campaigns against the Japanese in the Far East wore conventional European headdress but from 1942 the Slouch Hat regained favour and was issued on a large scale to all personnel, including Royal Air Force, as this example.
Ours is made from khaki coloured felt and the pattern is as issued to personnel serving in the Far East as well as the Western Desert in WWII. In exceptional display condition other than minor spot staining to the rim and very minor nibbles to the underside. It is fitted with the original cloth Puggaree with RAF 'flash' attached with 4 ventilation holes fitted to each side. The inner leather lining band is in good condition and is size stamped '71/8', 'V5553', dated 1944 and 'Patent Serial No.115305'. The inside of the leather hat band lining is nicely marked in ink with the original owners name 'Nash' ; sadly we don't have any history on him or where he served. No chin strap is present and we can't see any evidence of one ever having been fitted. Generally a good issued example and now becoming increasingly hard to find in any condition.
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| RAF Navigators Brevet - A fine padded example of a Navigators half wing aircrew badge. This replaced the earlier Observer's brevet in 1942. This is the scarcer pin back example with a brass backing plate sewn onto the reverse of the badge. It is likely to have been used in conjunction with a Khaki Drill (KD) uniform and the pin back enabled it to be removed before the frequent washing necessary in the Mediterranean and Far East Theatres. A really nice example that would be impossible to upgrade. Measures 3" (8 cm)
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| RAF Pilot's Brevet and Medal Bar with Mentioned in Despatches Clasps - on offer is a particularly impressive pilots padded wings grouping which is sewn to a Khaki Drill (KD) snap back cloth base and was clearly used in conjunction with Khaki Drill tunic. Sadly we don't have either the original owners name or the provenance that belongs with this piece but he clearly served with distinction in WWI and WWII as shown by his impressive medal bar. This confirms he was entitled to the 1914/15 Star, War Medal 1914/20, Victory medal with mentioned in despatches (MID), 1939-45 Star, Africa Star with 1st Army clasp, (indicating he served with the 1st Army in North Africa between 8th November '42 & 23rd May '43), Italy Star (rather faded), Defence Medal and 1939-45 with a further mentioned in despatches to complete the grouping! It would be nice to speculate this anonymous Pilot served with the Royal Flying Corps in WWI and his wings were subsequently changed to the post 1918 RAF brevet at a later date but we will never know for sure.
Pilot's wings used on Khaki Drill uniforms tended to be either pin back or with snaps (as here) so these important badges could be removed before the frequent washing that was required as the dyes were known to run. These wings are in fine original condition with signs of usage but no damage, moth or other faults. The medal ribbons show small signs of wear and some fading commensurate with their age – but they certainly have a story to tell. The stitching revealed on the reverse confirms this is an 100% original item and not a made up copy. Wings measure 4 1/2" wingtip to wingtip (11 cm.)
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| RAF Identification Bracelet Tab named to Sergeant E.E.Bond - An emotive RAF ID bracelet engraved 'Sgt E.E.Bond' and below 'C of E' (Church of England) and 'Royal Air Force'. It also details the owners service number 9647 which looks to be an early number and could even be possible he originally served with the Royal Flying Corps pre 1918. We will leave any further detective work to the new custodian. This was a metal detectorist's find and was recovered from near Hunstanton in Norfolk which was very much on the edge of 'Bomber Country' in WWII. The finder was however not prepared to reveal to me the actual location where this 'treasure' came from! The tab is nicely engraved whilst the back is stamped E.P.N.S. The original attachment chain is missing so we will never know how it came to be buried (until recently) in the Norfolk earth!
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| RAF Shirt Cufflinks - Small but beautifully formed! Each link features a very precise set of RAF wings surmounted by a kings Crown. The cufflinks are joined by a small chain and are finished in chrome. Traces of original red paint remain behind the RAF logo. We have no idea of age but despite being for sale as a collectable they remain entirely suited to their original function. Each link measures 9/10" (2.4 cm)
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| USAAF Parachute Seat Pack Cushion Part No 44D9370 - this fine WWII example is fully stamped as shown including Part number and clearly dated September 30th 1944. We are unsure which model of parachute this would have been used in conjunction with but looks to be from a fighter pilots seat chute. It was held in place by four loops at each corner as opposed to the snaps seen on the Irvin seat pack cushion we have also listed today. On many USAAF cushions the crutch strap exits near the front whilst this example has the cut out in the middle of the cushion and is similar to the RAF Irvin style cushion. The manufacturers stamp is not clear but might read HMC. The canvas is all in good shape with just minor fading and a couple of water stains to the underside but no damage. The interior stuffing is a little flattened. Measures 16" x 13" (40 cm x 33 cm)
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| RAF Heliograph Mirror stores reference number 27H/2107 - a small but essential instrument issued with the 1941 pattern Mae West and held in the breast pocket. This example is contained within its original calico pouch with securing line attached. Whilst the pouch shows some age and storage marks the instrument is in near perfect condition. The sighting tool is broad arrow marked marked with stores reference number 27H/2107. The signal mirror is again excellent and carries full instructions for use on the reverse. An identical example is illustrated in Mick Prodger's 'Flying Equipment' reference book on page 61. Like all great inventions this is a very simple concept with little to go wrong and was proven to be a life saver by many downed aircrew in WWII. Case measures 3" x 3" when closed (8 cm x 8 cm)
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| Luftwaffe Cockpit lamp Fl 322272.2 - Manufactured by Siemens and like most German equipment from this period beautifully engineered. The lamp case is fished in slate grey alloy and the reverse of the case is stamped with a BAL inspectors mark, H23 and a further less clear stamp that might read 024. The lamp itself fits into a recess on the right side of the unit and features an integral loom we imagine to mount it near the crew position to free off his hands. The lamp housing looks to be made of Bakelite and is embossed Bauart with the Siemens logo and at the base 126-12.04 On the reverse is stamped Bauart 126-12.05. The lamp is missing its bulb but otherwise all seems in perfect condition. The lengthy wire contained within the case can be wound out or pulled and it would appear to have had the facility to have been used in various crew positions. We were told by the previous owner this unit was removed from an HE111 bomber although we have been unable to prove this so if any visitors can help us with a firm ID that would be appreciated. The case measures 4.5" x 4.5" (11 cm x 11 cm) whilst the lamp is c.5" long (13.5 cm)
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| RAF Type 26 Microphone Assembly - Another recent warehouse find! An original RAF WWII period oxygen mask microphone marked on front with stores reference 10A/125712 and fitted with an On Off communication switch. The short short beige loom is in close to mint condition and a 2-pin socket is attached, as fitted to wartime G-type oxygen masks, and compatible with RAF C, D and E pattern flying helmets. In excellent condition and appears never have been issued and is complete with the anti-freeze gauze plate to rear which is marked 10A/12925. Whilst for sale as a collectable it may still be in working order but we have no means of testing it here.
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