Opened a time capsule tonight--WW1 stuff--Please help I.D.

[Parrothead]

Might needs some help identifying some of this stuff. I found it at my grandmothers (grandfather passed about a year ago.) This stuff game from his father...early 1900's. First off is a helmet<br><br>Next is a gas mask-- Now--the next few items i need some help with. I took the best pictures i could to show the detail but i am no photographer. Text on this one says United States of America 1909<br><br><br><br><br><br><br>Thanks in advance for any help

Edited October 19, 2011 by Parrothead

[Sandman]

I can't help you at all, but that is very cool stuff. I'm glad you found it all.

[Guest pfries]

Here is a link with info for the wildcats

81st Infantry Division (United States) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cannot tell from the picture if the box cartridge mask is French or the American adopted and made version.

You obviously know what the Tags are. As far as the cufflinks/buttons I do not recognize that design.

And we thank your Great Granddad for his service and deployment in WWI.

Edited October 19, 2011 by pfries

[Caster]

Joseph G. Alexander

Thank you for your service. I hope you are enjoying your well deserved rest. We still appreciate everything you did.

Sorry I can't be of help, but these things are priceless, I'll tell you that.

[quietguy]

What a find. Wish I could help you sort out the details.

I agree with Caster's sentiments. We owe a great debt to this gentleman.

[Guest pfries]

By the way here is an excelent military serch site if you want to look anything else up on this

CMH Search - U.S. Army Center of Military History

[Ropin4gold]

I think the last picture is "dogtags"

[56FordGuy]

If you ever decide to sell this stuff, let me know first.

Not so I can buy it, but so I can knock you in the head! Seriously, while I'm sure you know this I'd just like to say that regardless of monetary value, you have a real family treasure there. Don't ever let it get away; even if it meant nothing to you (though I'm sure it does) someday some kid/ grandkid will come along that would absolutely love to have great great Granddaddy's gear from WW1.

[LagerHead]

Parrot, that is some awesome stuff. I wish I had the opportunity to know my biological grandparents better so that I could share a similar story. I also wish I could help you identify some of that stuff. Very cool.

[Mike.357]

in the sixth picture the cat is surround by names of locations of battlefields or maybe they called them campaigns?

[Guest pfries]

Reference of the Muse Argonne offensive here:

New Page 1

Verdun was the gap in the Vosges mountains reference material here:

http://books.google.com/books?id=qVKQAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA114&lpg=PA114&dq=vosges+verdun+offensive&source=bl&ots=oLu_HIiTZM&sig=WYVYylrtX9bmuroTYjZ1isEibkU&hl=en&ei=5hmiTp7IAaro0QHqkemLBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&sqi=2&ved=0CCoQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=vosges%20verdun%20offensive&f=false

[R1100R]

The unit now is a Reserve unit called the 81st Regional Support Command. It is at FT Jackson, SC where the unit started during WW1

They were known as the wildcat division. They were the first Army Unit to be awarded to wear a unit patch The wildcat patch.

They have a museum at the Headquarters. The curator of the Museum is Dr/LTC Boyd. I can get you his number if you would like to ask him some questions. The 81st at one time had 55,000 soldiers assigned to it. I just left there in December. The unit still has meetings with all the old Vets and do events in period uniforms.

Ft Jackson is in Columbia, SC. It is the only Fort that is annexed as part of the city. The land was donated by the city.

BTW the last picture is dog tags.

Edited October 22, 2011 by R1100R

[willis68]

Very cool!