Ebay 1st Special Service Force Jacket

[Simon W Saffin]

No doubt lots of you have already seen this item....but, what do you think about it?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...252392675&rd=1

[Bill Dienna]

Looks interesting.

Certainly looks like a WW II period patch that has been on there a good long time.
If anyone has the book "the Devil's Brigade", that has a roster of FSSF members. Perhaps it could be checked for "Wall", though I don't know if it is a complete listing.

[VerKuilen Ager]

The name is legit. Wall was from Albany, NY and was in the Headquarters Det. of 1st Bn, 2nd Regt. He died of wounds in October 1944.

[Simon W Saffin]

Chaps

Thanks for the information, since joining the forum, I have become more cautious before jumping in with both feet. Although its true I have never seen one from this rgt up for sale before?

Would you consider it on the rarer side of items??

Thanks Again for your help

[Allan H.]

Originally Posted by Simon 1964

Chaps

Thanks for the information, since joining the forum, I have become more cautious before jumping in with both feet. Although its true I have never seen one from this rgt up for sale before?

Would you consider it on the rarer side of items??

Thanks Again for your help

While two of the more respected members of this forum have given their stamps of approval, I would urge you to take caution in bidding on this jacket for a couple of reasons. First, the seller has a track record of selling items that have been doctored with added insignia etc. Second, the chevrons being machine sewn and the SSI being hand sewn makes me think that it is POSSIBLE that the SSI has been added. Now, it is sure possible that the SSI was hand sewn first and the chevrons were a later addition, but these jacket seem to have been issued just prior to Plough and then virtually disappear from sight among vintage photos of the force in Italy.
Third, the fact that the man was KIA makes me question how combat clothing (or equipment) would have gotten back to the states after the man's death. Surely if a soldier was killed in October 1944, SOMEBODY would have said "Hey, we need to turn this coat in to the Supply Sergeant" or "This jacket will keep me a lot warmer than what I have now."
I cannot fault the jacket. It is a scarce piece of clothing. The insignia is all original. But, I guess it will be up to the buyer to decide whether they want to believe that it has been on there a while, and whether they are willing to pay the premium for what it represents.
My two cents.
Allan

[Mark Schroeder]

I am glad you brought this up Allan, as I was also wondering how the jacket would end up stateside after the owner was KIA.

Aviation personell that were KIA had their stuff dispersed among the remaining men, with sometimes small items sent home, I suppose it would be the same with foot soldiers, at least to a certian degree? From the books I read, they certainly didnt have any qualms about helping themselves to what ever they needed. It was actually expected.

Something else I considered is that since the FSSF insignia is so distinctive in shape, perhaps this jacket was acquired by another soldier in theater, the SSI removed, and then possibly added at a later date by someone who recognised the unique shape of the FSSF insignia?

just thinking out loud..

[Jason Roberts]

PRO-
A legitamate jacket, a real patch and and named to a traceable person all sound pretty convincing to me.


CON-
A KIA name would be an easy choice for a faker only because it could not be disputed. And the sellers reputation is now being questioned.

I don't know. I would get it if it was reasonable. But I am confident it will skyrocket in price.

Jason