MILITARY HISTORY ONLINE

User:  
Password:  
 
 (1914-1918) WWI
Message
Chief
Chapin SC USA
Posts: 1
Joined: 2023
What is this?
5/26/2023 7:30:35 AM
Found this item in a box given to me by late grandfather. It looks like maybe some kind of percussion cap holder or maybe a tobacco holder. If any of you could help identify it, I would appreciate it. The inscription on the metal tag on top says: "To Sgt Major B.R.Roberts from the NCO's & Men of his section. 1915." I may be falling into a rabbit hole here, but identifying this item and maybe even figuring out who he was would help get this item back to family.
George
Centre Hastings ON Canada
Posts: 13339
Joined: 2009
What is this?
5/26/2023 8:10:13 AM
Quote:
Found this item in a box given to me by late grandfather. It looks like maybe some kind of percussion cap holder or maybe a tobacco holder. If any of you could help identify it, I would appreciate it. The inscription on the metal tag on top says: "To Sgt Major B.R.Roberts from the NCO's & Men of his section. 1915." I may be falling into a rabbit hole here, but identifying this item and maybe even figuring out who he was would help get this item back to family.


Hello Chief,

If this is your first post then welcome to the forum

Are you able to post a photo of the item? Is it British kit as it seems to date to 1915?

Cheers,

George
Lightning
Glasgow  UK
Posts: 1040
Joined: 2005
What is this?
5/26/2023 5:18:22 PM
The US army and Marines were on active operations in 1915, so I wouldn’t rule out it being of US origin just yet.

A photo would definitely help.

Cheers,

Colin
----------------------------------
"There is no course open to us but to fight it out. Every position must be held to the last man: there must be no retirement. With our backs to the wall and believing in the justice of our cause, each one of us must fight to the end."
OpanaPointer
St. Louis MO USA
Posts: 1866
Joined: 2010
What is this?
5/26/2023 8:37:08 PM
The Marines were the first official military organization of the nascent USA. Tun's Tavern. https://www.usmcmuseum.com/museum-store--concessions.html
DT509er
Santa Rosa CA USA
Posts: 1433
Joined: 2005
What is this?
5/27/2023 1:18:46 PM
Quote:
The Marines were the first official military organization of the nascent USA. Tun's Tavern. https://www.usmcmuseum.com/museum-store--concessions.html


The American Continental Army, the first officially recognized US military branch has a founding date of 14 June 1775, four months in advance of the Tun Tavern Marine recruitment drive and another month out before the official organizing of a Marine unit. In addition, the Continental Navy was established 13 October 1775 a month in advance of the Marines. The colonies initially started with militias dating to the French and Indian War eventually transitioning to companies of Minutemen; I am not aware of any of these militias or companies being Marine based.

Dan


----------------------------------
"American parachutists-devils in baggy pants..." German officer, Italy 1944. “If your experiment needs statistics, you ought to have done a better experiment.” Lord Ernest Rutherford
OpanaPointer
St. Louis MO USA
Posts: 1866
Joined: 2010
What is this?
5/27/2023 5:53:51 PM
"Tell it to the Marines". ;-)




https://dyn1.heritagestatic.com/lf?set=path%5B1%2F1%2F7%2F8%2F5%2F11785534%5D&call=url%5Bfile%3Aproduct.chain%5D
DT509er
Santa Rosa CA USA
Posts: 1433
Joined: 2005
What is this?
5/27/2023 6:15:19 PM
Quote:
"Tell it to the Marines". ;-)

https://dyn1.heritagestatic.com/lf?set=path%5B1%2F1%2F7%2F8%2F5%2F11785534%5D&call=url%5Bfile%3Aproduct.chain%5D


They can't pay attention long enough to understand.

Dan
----------------------------------
"American parachutists-devils in baggy pants..." German officer, Italy 1944. “If your experiment needs statistics, you ought to have done a better experiment.” Lord Ernest Rutherford
OpanaPointer
St. Louis MO USA
Posts: 1866
Joined: 2010
What is this?
5/27/2023 7:04:10 PM
We used the hide the CPO quarters on Peleliu behind a sign that said "CPO Quarters". Quieter that way.
Brian Grafton
Victoria BC Canada
Posts: 4714
Joined: 2004
What is this?
5/27/2023 9:33:59 PM
Chief, welcome to MHO, even if you’re only hear for some answers concerning a specific item.Quote:
Found this item in a box given to me by late grandfather. It looks like maybe some kind of percussion cap holder or maybe a tobacco holder. If any of you could help identify it, I would appreciate it. The inscription on the metal tag on top says: "To Sgt Major B.R.Roberts from the NCO's & Men of his section. 1915." I may be falling into a rabbit hole here, but identifying this item and maybe even figuring out who he was would help get this item back to family.

I agree that a photo would perhaps be a great help. I’m assuming that Roberts is a surname linked to you, but you don’t mention whether B.R. Roberts was in fact your GF. You mention a “metal tag on top”; is this attached to the object, and if so in what way?

Given the scant information, I can’t help you with your specific questions. Sorry. But I have an at least similar item gifted to me by a man who died when I was much younger (which means before 1964). It is a silver dish given by the Sgt’s Mess, No.5 Canandian General Hospital to Sgt Harold Walker on the occasion of his marriage on 20 Dec 1917. Lotsa questions there too: Minna – his bride of 1917 – was IIUC still an officer. They had met in Gallipoli in 1915, when he was sergeant of the guard for a nursing unit she was part of. I’ve put together a lot of their story, but there are still questions.

Good luck with your search. If you can send a photo or more precise information it would be a real help.

Cheers
Bran G
----------------------------------
"We have met the enemy, and he is us." Walt Kelly. "The Best Things in Life Aren't Things" Bumper sticker.

© 2023 - MilitaryHistoryOnline.com LLC