Grampa's Navy swag.

[High Iron]

In response to LittleOwls thread in the outerwear section I thought I would post some pics of some stuff I inherited from my grandfather from his navy days in WWII.

This is just an old music box with the guts ripped out and a navy anchor nailed to the top. I remember it from when I was a little kid. He used to say that he kept his pirate treasure in it.

 

[High Iron]

Photobucket isn't being cooperative so links will have to be used, sorry.

I don't know what piece of uniform this was from. Possibly dress blues.

 

[High Iron]

This is what I find fascinating about the military. How'd ya like to be this eighteen year old kid on his his first trip away from Wisconsin and someone gives you one of these. Like being in the ultimate secret club! My grandfather loved the navy, and I can see why. ADVENTURE!! This is a credit card sized chit. I found a half dozen of these in his stuff after he passed. This is the only one I have left and is now framed with a photo. I'm going to have a new frame made that will include the rest of the items in this thread.

 

[High Iron]

I showed this to a good friend of mine who served as a SeaBee. He thought it was pretty damned cool. It's a G.Sons No.21. I know most of the collectors are into Zippo's but I think one of the coolest things about this is that it's not. I love the dragon engraving.

 

[Stearmen]

I showed this to a good friend of mine who served as a SeaBee. He thought it was pretty damned cool. It's a G.Sons No.21. I know most of the collectors are into Zippo's but I think one of the coolest things about this is that it's not. I love the dragon engraving.

Thats odd, since I have always associated Zippos to Vietnam and Ronsons to WWII! I know that Vietnam era Zippos are very common and collectable. I also know that Sherman tank crews in a Macabre sense of humor, referred to their tanks as Ronsons, after the slogan, "lights on the first strike"! My personalized WWII lighter is a Ronson.

 

[Corto]

Awesome stuff! Thanks for the photos!

 

[Story]

This would be his ship (or one of them).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Delta_(AR-9)
http://www.ussdelta.org/

 

[High Iron]

I know what you mean Stearmen. There are guys that collect the WWII Zippos but I don't know how rare they are. I have seen documentaries that mention the tank crews comparing the Sherman to the Ronson.

Thats odd, since I have always associated Zippos to Vietnam and Ronsons to WWII! I know that Vietnam era Zippos are very common and collectable. I also know that Sherman tank crews in a Macabre sense of humor, referred to their tanks as Ronsons, after the slogan, "lights on the first strike"! My personalized WWII lighter is a Ronson.

 

[High Iron]

Thanks for the links Story. Appreciate it!

This would be his ship (or one of them).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Delta_(AR-9)
http://www.ussdelta.org/

 

[High Iron]

I always like to see stuff like this and am happy to contribute, just wish I had more to offer. I do have some badges from his career as a local police officer that I'll post photos of if anyone is interested.

Awesome stuff! Thanks for the photos!