Lot 440

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Description:


Immediately post-World War II U.S. M1 combat helmet, with swivel bales and the seam at the rear and with a dark green cork finish applied to the exterior. The front of the shell bears a single painted silver star, indicating the rank of brigadier general. The interior of the helmet is finished matte olive drab, and the front of the skirt bears a partial ownership stamp in black ink: 'Tarle[ton] Watkins Brigad[ier General] USAF 2802 [...] Carolina'. This stamp is applied over the heat-stamp '12 5A'. The helmet is fitted with an immediately post-war fiber liner, bearing the manufacturer's mark of the International Molded Plastics Co. inside the dome. The exterior of the liner also bears a single brigadier general's star, painted in silver around the vent hole at the front. The interior of the liner shows appropriate wear and soiling, with some wear and abrasions to the exterior of the liner and the shell, else very good. Brigadier General TARLETON H. WATKINS (1914-2009) served with the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II at stations in Hawaii and North Africa. While a lieutenant, he was stationed at Hickham Field on Oahu during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and was one of only a handful of pilots who were able to take to the air to engage enemy aircraft. He flew more than 120 combat missions in the P-40 fighter and A-20 light bomber during the war, receiving credit for three kills against enemy aircraft. His flight jacket, goggles and flying helmet are held by the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. A biography and obituary describing his numerous additional accomplishments are provided with this lot.

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February 8, 2021 10:00 AM EST
Chesapeake City, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $999,999 $10,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $50,000
$2,000,000 + $100,000