Posted 10 years ago
RustyRN
(9 items)
This trunk was found in the scrap metal pile at a local transfer station. It was love at first sight and was added to my large collection of old rusty metal and chipped paint beauties. I then began to notice some of the symbols and others chimed in with what they may mean. I will not say here what others have said... more just curious what people think! It sure is a strange one...
This leaves a lot open to interpretation. The moose in triangle is probably something else other than "K-K-K" in the corners as many would suspect. Indiana has usually had the highest Klan count & don't think they have any moose/mooses/meeces. LOL!! Knew a Col. who came back from WWII with trunks loaded with booty from Europe & Germany. He said he painted his trunks pink & left them on the NY docks until customs left & then came with a truck to collect them. Maybe this was one of his trunks of contraband?
Ok , I read it as Lemans(That's in France) Prov-Batt( Provincial Battalion) CAS (Close Air support) Co. (Company) 1311 . 275 Inf.( That's WW2 infantry)
Lt. (Lieutenant) H.E. Grant. 7A. (There were multiple equipment trunks or it could be the squadron #.
Those are (proud) gunnery bulls eyes. painted on that trunk and it probably saw more action than most would have cared to see.
There is a ton of history with the 275th Infantry(short as it was). This Lt. Commanded Close air support for the 275th infantry( fixed wing aircraft.) (operation Jericho was one lesser known action that took place in Lemans France this unit possibly was apart of it.) Hope this helps a bit, this infantry Drill Sgt. thanks you for the post.I wish this trunk could talk,its seen a lot of history.
This trunk could be researched further,I would look for the soldiers serial number though.Formed in 1943 The 275th was part of the 70th inf. which has a web site for the Association ,detailing Operation Norwind, Phillipsbourg, Falkenberg Ridge and other Central European campaigns in the Ardennes-Alsace Rhineland. The National Personnel records center 9700 Page Ave. St. louis Mo. 631325000 could be written to for soldier info. but just goggle: 275th infantry history or the 70th infantry history(neat stuff).
As for the Moose and KKK triangle (Moose Jaws Saskatchewan province may hold a clue ,not too sure on this one)Moose lodge symbols and Triangles are quite common. LOL
Wow thank you both so much for your comments! To think it was essentially found in the trash. I did not want to believe the KKK imagery and am so happy that neither of you think it is. I was starting to not want it in my house haha. Pink trunks! What was the reason for the pink? I'm glad someone read the lemans part..i couldnt make it out!
Just thinking out loud here. The Moosehead is surrounded by 3 canoe oars. The K's got me thinking about kayak but those paddles have a blade on both ends. No a blade on one and handle on the other.
I gotta wonder if this trunk was used for travel and that symbol is part of a travel sticker.
Painting YOUR trunk pink would make it stand out from all the others wouldn't it?!
I like mysteries like this!!!
Dave
The moose sticker is really a mystery for me...especially with all the other stuff going on on this trunk. I have even thought that maybe its all just mixed together from multiple owners. I love the mystery! All my other trunks are very old but this one is the most unique. Everyones comments are so informative. What a cool site! I cant wait to post the rest of my dump finds.
Ah, Knights of the Kayak Klan! LOL!