I don't know if this the best place to put this thread so please move if neccessary.
This is my first buy from a conventional old fashioned auction! I was looking around the auction room and whilst squeezing past somebody I accidentially kicked a bag which was under a table. On looking down I saw the unmistakable shape of a British para helmet. Having tried to hide my excitement I had a quick look at the helmet and asked if the bag and contents were in the auction. It was a late entry and had missed the catalogue and was listed seperately as 'Special forces backpack, bayonet, waterbottle, etc', it was also the penultimate lot in the sale. Due to work I left a commission bid for all I could afford. I had not looked at anything else in the bag other than the helmet, but saw the waterbottle and a shirt.
Imagine my suprise when I found out I was the winning bidder for £5 less than my commission bid - I got the whole lot for £100!
Having had a proper search I found the following:
Para helmet
No36M Mk1 grenade (dated 1940)
British Leather holster (dated 1940)
long sleeve shirt
Bayonet (marked 'tgf' and 'F95 (crossed swords) 50' on the handle and 'CSZ' and ???37 on the scabbard)
small pack dyed black
water bottle (dated 1912)
Puttees
Camo stick
Water purifying tablets from the 1960's
I have some questions about the items if anybody can help:
Any info on the helmet (I am aware that it has been repainted)
What gun fits the holster? (and any other info)
Is the shirt late/post war British?
What is the bayonet for?
What is the country of origin for the waterbottle
Many thanks
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