Posted 7 years ago
tkelly
(1 item)
Appears to be pot metal although heavy/dense. Have one used as a spoon rest for 50 years. Other found in junk shop (pictured). Wouls like any information on the origin of the asjtray. Know history of Fairfield Depot in Ohio just nothing about these trays. Have only seen the two in my possession. Thank you.
Nice ash trays-- I don't know the history of the depot, but the style would put these as most likely WW2 era.
At a minimum the US Army designation puts it as pre- late 1947, when the Air Force was established.
While it may be an exchange sold souvenir item, the addition of "compliments" MAY indicate it was a give-a-way item for visiting dignitaries.
scott
Thanks. "Air Corps" was abolished in 1942 with the continued use of United States Army Air Forces USAAF designation.
Has anyone seen ashtrays of this type? Would like to know how many were made, authorization for manufacture, was it a lark by some personnel and a one time thing, or was it an ongoing enterprise for a purpose.
I believe there is a museum there now that might offer some input. Also a local VFW etc. might have some history on these. Many service organizations keep a history of such things in their local area.
" "Air Corps" was abolished in 1942 with the continued use of United States Army Air Forces USAAF designation."
NOT an accurate statement!
The early 1940s reorganization was about creating an AIR Command (Army Air Forces) within the Army that was equal to the Army Ground Forces and Services of Supply.
The Army Air Corps continued as a Combat Arms BRANCH within the Army until the 1947 reorganization/ creation of the Air Force.
As far as your ashtray, there are two possibilities to pursue-- a post exchange item (souvenir) or a dignitary gift. If it is an exchange item, I'd expect to find similar pieces out there from other Depots and Posts.
Either way it is a nice reminder of the WW2 era. WW2 homefront collecting is popular. One of the things that attract folks to homefront items is that there seems to be an almost endless supply of items out there!
scott
Scott is probably correct in describing this as something cast as a free item for dignitaries (government inspectors, politicians, military officers, etc.) Chances are strong that this was cast using mostly aluminum. Being a depot for the AAF, they would certainly require burned or broken aircraft pistons and parts to be returned for replacement. This became a ready source of aluminum, lead, tin and a very generalized recipe. It included zinc and aluminum for sure do to the low melting temperature to smelt in an on-base foundry to recycle the materials into a substantial momento. the finished metal composite would be considered to be similar to ZAMAK. Most people receiving these were quite impressed but the fact is that re-casting these metals in a simple forge was a pretty easy process with impressive results. Note there are similar trays that came from a AAF Depot in Alaska and other military locations. Regards, Tom Sanders (SANDMAN OVERHAUL)