Need help with some signs

[silverdollarbill]

Went to sale #2 by a lady who was liquidating her late husband stuff. He seemed to be quite the collector.

Hoping to get some help on these signs. First is sheet metal. Thompson auto parts. Has a built in thermometer. Sign maker has the following logo: Teepee with letters 'TP' on top of it.

Second is an aluminum Precision Test Equipment sign.

Last time she had a sale there was a lot of WWII stuff. Picked up these random items along with framed metal 3d image of Hitler's profile. Not sure what I am going to do with it but put it in pile because it was unusual.

 

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[diggummup]

If I tell you that your first sign is a rare one and the last one got bid up to $355 and did not make the reserve will you give me first dibs on the skull and crossbones and the 3d Hitler, lol seriously? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Tho...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

edit- You should do well on the brass submarine too. Are those id numbers on it? The Precision sign, I can't another example of but it probably dates to the 50's -60's. Here is one of their catalogs from 1954- http://www.hgsitebuilder.com/files/writeable/uploads/hostgator629582/file/precisioncatalog1954.pdf

hope this helps

 

[silverdollarbill]

Wow...you did it again. Thanks so much.

Here is the pick of Adolf. I thought it was post-WWII, but guess they weren't making much Hitler stuff after WWII.

 

[retire05]

Bill - I am a retired US Navy submariner. That is a nice submarine warfare pin. Does it have any marks on the back? If it does, I'm pretty sure I could shed some light on it. I also collect submarine pins from other countries and have an extensive collection. If you IM me with a close up I may be able to identify. Please do the front and back...Brad

 

[silverdollarbill]

Bill - I am a retired US Navy submariner. That is a nice submarine warfare pin. Does it have any marks on the back? If it does, I'm pretty sure I could shed some light on it. I also collect submarine pins from other countries and have an extensive collection. If you IM me with a close up I may be able to identify. Please do the front and back...Brad

Thanks for the info. I believe it is copper, not brass. There are no numbers. On the back is just solder marks. There is no pin. Will post close up picks when I get home.

This is why I love tnet. Always learning new stuff.

 

[artslinger]

Wow, what a score! Did not meet the reserve at $355 but 12 bids? I've never come across signs, or maybe I have, but never knew enough to score. My challenge is determining vintage from the reproductions that are out there! The Hitler piece may have some value as well. Is there any writing anywhere? All the best!

RJA

 

[silverdollarbill]

I took the cardboard off the back of the Hitler item. No markings.

Here are more picks of the sub.

 

[retire05]

Pretty sure it is "trench art". During WWII lots of Sailors made themselves things like this in their spare time on patrol. I love it nonetheless! That kind of history is priceless, especially if you know anything about the person you bought t from. Tracking down the service member would be pretty neat...Brad

 

[silverdollarbill]

Thanks Brad...very cool. I will probably never be able to track anyone down. The person who owned it last is deceased and he was not old enough to be in WWII.

Here are a few more pics of the skull and crossbones.

I think the metal is lead. It is heavy and pliable. There is a hole under the skull which looks like it could be for a nail.

 

[silverdollarbill]

Here are pics

 

[GregK]

That skull may be WWII German. It is known as a Braunschweig Totenkopf. It is a "traditions" badge that was worn above the cockade but below the eagle on the visor of a certain regiment. It's slightly different tham the ones I have seen and handled but these were made by many different makers so there would be variances. If you Google the term Braunschweig Totenkopf you can pull up all kinds of images of these in wear.

 

[diggummup]

That skull may be WWII German. It is known as a Braunschweig Totenkopf. It is a "traditions" badge that was worn above the cockade but below the eagle on the visor of a certain regiment. It's slightly different tham the ones I have seen and handled but these were made by many different makers so there would be variances. If you Google the term Braunschweig Totenkopf you can pull up all kinds of images of these in wear.

That was my first thought before I took a closer look at the details. However, I strongly believe this is not a German Military hat device.The material isn't right. The pattern isn't right and the means of attachment isn't correct either. I believe this skull and crossbones were attached to the bottom of a large, probably antique, crucifix. The crucifix however could very well have been an antique German one though. Maybe something similar to this-

 

[tamrock]

Neat finds. Except for Hitler. He really sucked is what I was taught.

 

[silverdollarbill]

Neat finds. Except for Hitler. He really sucked is what I was taught.

Anyone who like 80s, kung fu, sci-fi should watch "Kung Fury" on YouTube. He travels back in time to defeat Hitler.

 

[GregK]

Hi Dig,

You may very well be correct. As I am not the religious type it didn't even dawn on me that it could be a Catholic symbol. I assumed that it could be the traditions skull as there was a history of militaria from this source. The biggest hurdle with the one pictured and the traditions skull that I noticed was that on all originals I have handled the cross bones were all "tied" at the cross. This one was not. That's why I said that it "may" be. I have seen and handled enough German militaria over the years that I never say never anymore!

Cheers,
Greg

That was my first thought before I took a closer look at the details. However, I strongly believe this is not a German Military hat device.The material isn't right. The pattern isn't right and the means of attachment isn't correct either. I believe this skull and crossbones were attached to the bottom of a large, probably antique, crucifix. The crucifix however could very well have been an antique German one though. Maybe something similar to this-

 

[diggummup]

If I tell you that your first sign is a rare one and the last one got bid up to $355 and did not make the reserve will you give me first dibs on the skull and crossbones and the 3d Hitler?

I'd like to publicly thank Bill for his generosity. I received these two items in the mail last week, free of charge! Thanks Bill, the framed Hitler will find a new home but the skull and crossbones thing I'm keeping. Still haven't found anything else about it, or another of it's size and shape. It's unique, I like it and I will find a place for it in my collection.

 

[silverdollarbill]

I'd like to publicly thank Bill for his generosity. I received these two items in the mail last week, free of charge! Thanks Bill, the framed Hitler will find a new home but the skull and crossbones thing I'm keeping. Still haven't found anything else about it, or another of it's size and shape. It's unique, I like it and I will find a place for it in my collection.

No need to thank publicly, but your welcome. You've been a tremendous help over the past couple years and it was the least I could do. Thanks again.

So I sold the sign to someone in Erlanger, KY which also just happens to be ebay's global shipping center. Although, it was sent to a local address and i did not use an ebay shipping label, the tracking says it was signed for by some random person and was sent to some shipping area for international shipping. Buyer says this happens often and packages typically show up weeks later damaged. Wish he told me that sooner. Would have written local delivery all over it.

 

[bigcaddy64]

That skull has an almost "cartoon" look to it and is very similar to decorative Halloween art made from 1900 to 1930. Thats pretty cool, so is the sub pin