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Small Leather Pouch.

Started by colinhotham , Feb 11 2011 10:27 AM

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#1 colinhotham

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Posted 11 February 2011 - 10:27 AM

Does anyone recognise this? The RAF Museum suggests that it is a commercially produced item.
A friend in Alaska who's father served in the US Army during WWII found this leather pouch in a box of his effects after he died. He was in the UK prior to D-Day.
She has sent it to me to see if I can get it identified.

It is 4" wide by 3 1/2" deep and very thin. It has a metal frame fitted inside on the two sides and base.
As you see it also has a tongue securing it closed.
It is embossed with the Royal Air Force Crest.

Colin

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#2 Walt's Daughter

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Posted 11 February 2011 - 12:01 PM

Too big for condoms.  Sorry couldn't resist this morning. Blame the bad sense of humor on my cold.  043.gif  armata_PDT_12.gif Not buying that huh?  armata_PDT_20.gif
Marion J Chard
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#3 colinhotham

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Posted 11 February 2011 - 03:31 PM

Only in bulk Marion and even the RAF would'nt have had such a luxury means of holding them in wartime??? armata_PDT_12.gif

Colin.

PS.You'd have been good fun to go to war with M1.  lol

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Posted 11 February 2011 - 05:20 PM

Custom made billfold or cigarette wallet.

#5 Walt's Daughter

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Posted 11 February 2011 - 07:31 PM

I am sending an inquiry to a British site right now. Will let you know when they reply.


Marion J Chard
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#6 Dogdaddy

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Posted 11 February 2011 - 10:24 PM

I saw a similar item on ebay, although it has the emblem of the USAAF stenciled on the front instead of the RAF. The seller didn't know what purpose it had either. I would guess it was for small personal items like glasses, smokes and the like. I prefer the Crown Royal pouch myself.. :-)
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#7 colinhotham

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Posted 12 February 2011 - 09:57 AM

Thank you all for your interest. I have sent this enqiry to many websites now, as well as the RAF Museum and The UK Imperial War Museum. The construction of the pouch is such that it must have had a special purpose I believe. It is so well made and finished that even after nearly 70 years it is still in first class condition.

Colin.

#8 Walt's Daughter

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Posted 12 February 2011 - 12:38 PM

Yes, it could have been specifically made for someone too, and not a standard issue pouch. Whatever it may be and whatever purpose it served, it's a wonderful piece to have within her collection.
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter (Monday) Poniedzialek
540th Engineer Combat Regiment, 2833rd Bn, H&S Co, 4th Platoon

There's "No Bridge Too Far"
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#9 Walt's Daughter

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Posted 12 February 2011 - 02:34 PM

Received this a few minutes ago...

QUOTE
Good evening Marion,

You have a very nice souvenir from your father. (sorry he misunderstood - should be Nan's father)
As best as I can say, it is not military issue and therefore probably privately made.
My best guess would be that it is a tobacco pouch.

I am sorry that I cannot give you further information.

With best regards,
Ton Goemans

Check out my online store for Military Collectables

Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter (Monday) Poniedzialek
540th Engineer Combat Regiment, 2833rd Bn, H&S Co, 4th Platoon

There's "No Bridge Too Far"
Marion Chard

#10 AlaskanGal

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Posted 12 February 2011 - 07:59 PM

What a mystery this turned out to be!  When I sent the pouch to Colin I thought it was something that was standard use in the RAF.  
When we found dad's trunk you could tell it hadn't been opened in many years...... it was like opening a treasure chest.  You can imagine how we felt - it was like going back in time.  There were many items in the trunk like his uniform, letters, pictures, postcards, Hitler stamps, a push flash light, german bayonet, the little leather pouchand much more.  There just has to be a reason for the little leather pouch to be in there.  Dad was in the UK for quite awhile before D-Day. I'm sure they weren't selling sovenirs at that time!

So, if anyone can help us solve the mystery of the leather pouch that would be great!

Nancy   smile.gif

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Posted 21 February 2011 - 02:24 PM

I'm standing by my non issue, custom made cigarette wallet.  Tobaco doesn't need the frame to keep it from being crushed.

#12 colinhotham

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 09:33 AM

Caryl, as you can imagine I have had very many suggestions about the pouch. If you saw it I'm sure you would accept it was not for cigarettes, it is much too narrow and even after almost 70 years I would have expected an aroma. It is just less than 1/4" thick.
You can discern a slight indentation on the back approx 2 1/4" in diameter, as if it once contained something circular.
I am awaiting a reply from the Imperial War Museum here in the UK, having asked them if it is recognised by anyone there.

Colin.

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Posted 22 February 2011 - 12:47 PM

AH, I was not aware how thin it was.
Back to the thinking board.  Wallet that held his lucky crown? (money, not headpiece)

COMPASS CASE !

OH OH OH Pocket watch - family piece, he'd want it protected!  He would have removed it when he got home.  While not made for a watch, it would have worked!!

#14 colinhotham

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Posted 26 April 2012 - 02:05 PM

MYSTERY SOLVED!!

Email to Alaskan Gal:

Nancy,
I have just returned from an 80 mile round trip to Cheltenham and the BBC Antiques Roadshow.
It was worth every mile as I have solved the mystery of the pouch. It contained a mirror for the use by a lady in her handbag. It was known as a "sweetheart souvenir" and the non-official RAF Crest on it was used at the time of WWII on various items like makeup compacts, lipsticks, brooches etc. sold by commercial enterprises.
I am so pleased to be able to let you know what the Militaria expert said - so now we know. I hope it may give you an idea of why it was in your dad's trunk, do you think so ?
Colin.

#15 Walt's Daughter

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Posted 26 April 2012 - 02:28 PM

Colin, this is so cool. After all this time you were able to discover what this was. Nancy will be so thrilled, as am I.

Bravo, good job mate!!!
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter (Monday) Poniedzialek
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There's "No Bridge Too Far"
Marion Chard

#16 Walt's Daughter

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Posted 26 April 2012 - 02:29 PM

Make sure you send a PM to Nancy, so she can see this.
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter (Monday) Poniedzialek
540th Engineer Combat Regiment, 2833rd Bn, H&S Co, 4th Platoon

There's "No Bridge Too Far"
Marion Chard

#17 colinhotham

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Posted 26 April 2012 - 02:51 PM

I have sent a PM to Nancy here M1, as well as the email I sent earlier copied above.

#18 colinhotham

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Posted 30 April 2012 - 08:52 AM

I got a nice reply to my email to Nancy (Alaskan Girl) and she is so pleased we have solved the mystery. In fact it fits in with what she knows abour her dads time in England as he almost married an English girl!
Colin.

#19 Walt's Daughter

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Posted 30 April 2012 - 10:13 AM

Ah, "almost married an English girl!" I didn't know that. :pdt12: I'm sure you made her very happy, for I know how appreciative Nancy is.
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter (Monday) Poniedzialek
540th Engineer Combat Regiment, 2833rd Bn, H&S Co, 4th Platoon

There's "No Bridge Too Far"
Marion Chard
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