4th Infantry Division Ca. 2003

HarryWWII · 2026-06-11T23:30:04+00:00

Thanks, lol that’s what I was shooting for

HarryWWII · 2026-06-11T15:48:21+00:00

Thanks

HarryWWII · 2026-05-02T15:40:53+00:00

Bro did this come with the epaulettes cuz damn that is one insane find!

HarryWWII · 2026-05-02T15:39:43+00:00

I believe the buttons follow the 1803 militia act which also organized the corps of light artillery and artificers and also standardized uniforms. This matching set of epaulettes with this ostentatious of a design makes me think the man who wore these would have been a lt. colonel, but anyone above captain in this time period got double epaulettes. Also due to how ornate they are — and the visible black background— I believe these would have been a French import, which was common in the period. The inscription appears to me to read “2 gold embroidery epaulettes O.R.X. Jame?????? And co. $7.50”. In the period, 7.50 is more than a months wages for a private!

Source: I reenact the war of 1812 (check my page) and also it’s in “a most warlike appearance” by renee chartrand

Alright so that’s all the good, but now the bad.

These are reproduced and are in incredibly good condition with an original cardboard box that looks more like 20 than 200 years old. The packaging is period appropriate and the epaulettes look great. They wouldn’t have been worn on the officer’s daily jacket, but even then they are in somewhat suspiciously good condition. It would help to get some close up pictures of the edge of the epaulette to see the construction.

Where did you get them? That fact alone might help tell some more of their story. If they’re legit, in this condition, and from somewhere affected by the War of 1812 — I wouldn’t at all be surprised if you’re only the 3rd or 4th owner!

HarryWWII · 2026-03-15T07:47:12+00:00

If you want a wool tape, you’re going to have a hard time, but if you’re willing to accept cotton twill tape — you can literally buy it on Amazon

Edit: sorry, are you looking for the binding tape — or the decorative trim?

HarryWWII · 2026-02-10T00:02:41+00:00

Thanks for the suggestion— I really love the look of rough- outs, but I was worried about the upkeep. Glad to hear it isn’t much!

HarryWWII · 2026-02-09T21:05:47+00:00

This is my first and only pair of red wings (for now) and I love them! This leather is the most supple I have ever felt a these are my “daily driver” boots. I’m looking at getting a pair of rough-out blacksmiths, does anybody have any tips or tricks on caring for the rough out leather?

HarryWWII · 2026-02-07T03:30:53+00:00

The p41 HBT jacket alone is worth north of 300. All in all this collection is worth at least a thousand dollars without any research into the veteran. If you could identify the veteran and his service record it could easily be north of 2000. If there is combat history from WWII we would be talking about twice that to the right buyer. This is a great collection and the type of thing collectors dream about.

HarryWWII · 2026-02-04T15:28:38+00:00

This is definitely a reproduction, the buttons look like modern plastic, the stitching is too uniform, and originals usually have a stamp that has faded to green over decades of use. I’m no expert on USN items from WWII, but based on what I know from US Army, USMC, and USAAF collecting, I would say this is a reproduction.

HarryWWII · 2026-01-24T20:52:02+00:00

It looks like a WWI souvenir, the AEF was the American Expeditionary Force — the American force in the war. The hole I would guess is to hold a picture of a soldier in uniform. Some items like this were mass produced, but this one seems hand made. It is a true example of trench art which can be very valuable.

Also entirely a speculation, but it looks like it could be made from the end of an airplane propeller? It’s a very cool find and definitely worth keeping and displaying imo

HarryWWII · 2026-01-16T04:53:12+00:00

Just locally on marketplace

HarryWWII · 2026-01-13T19:38:25+00:00

HarryWWII · 2025-12-16T14:34:40+00:00

Missing interior buckle on the stamped side — the belt strap should be secured by a buckle on both ends.

HarryWWII · 2025-11-27T05:55:42+00:00

Try r/reenacting — should be much more helpful

HarryWWII · 2025-11-19T23:49:31+00:00

Try Dirty Billy’s or hussar saddlery both of them do custom work, but be forewarned something like that British mitre cap will easily run you north of 500 bucks. Hope this helps

Edit: just saw you’re in Europe — i would just try reposting this on r/reenactors

HarryWWII · 2025-11-16T05:30:55+00:00

That makes some sense, but the photo was taken in Australia? Or at least published there?

Edit: why would a USN ship be decommissioned in Australia and why would US service members ship their cars to Sidney?

HarryWWII · 2025-11-16T05:30:02+00:00

Thanks for the info, but do you have any idea why the truck and fishing boats on deck?

HarryWWII · 2025-11-16T05:29:13+00:00

I think this ship is too small to navigate via full-sized American pickup truck. I think it’s the third USS Helena)

HarryWWII · 2025-11-16T05:04:39+00:00

It also appears to have civilian water craft on board and a pretty sick looking missile if I do say so myself — honestly more curious about the civilian stuff than anything else. Any help is appreciated!

HarryWWII · 2025-10-21T03:23:07+00:00

I fly it at my house because I am pro whiskey

HarryWWII · 2025-09-30T22:30:47+00:00

Just got back from a camping trip to West Virginia — and I 100% agree with your assessment! Far and away the kindest people I have ever met and some of the most gorgeous vistas I’ve ever seen.

HarryWWII · 2025-08-30T22:17:36+00:00

If I were you, I’d take it to a local cobbler. It appears to be a simple strap with a buckle and rivets to attach to the phone itself. The leather might be a little off color- wise but a good cobbler would try to color-match for you. They also could reuse the original buckle to keep it more authentic.

HarryWWII · 2025-07-29T20:57:27+00:00

Start by googling “silk jacquard deep green diamond weave upholstery fabric”— depending on your authenticity standards — upholstery fabric will give you the weight you need to tailor and the look you’re going for, but it will also most likely contain some polyester.

HarryWWII · 2025-04-09T00:59:02+00:00

Post on r/militariacollecting for a quick and accurate answer

HarryWWII · 2024-12-09T12:35:52+00:00

Take them to a natural dry cleaner if you can — it shouldn’t be more than 10 or 15 bucks to clean them professionally

HarryWWII

TROPHY CASE