US WWI 43rd Balloon Co, Air Service Uniform Grouping
This item is listed for historical interest only. It was listed on our site previously but has been sold and is no longer available for purchase.
Sold for: $850.00

Original era manufacture. A nice grouping from a soldier who served in the 43rd Balloon Company during WWI. We purchased the set from an old collection here in Arizona, from a man who in turn purchased the set from a New York dealer about 35 years ago. The set contains the following; a very nice British pattern enlisted overseas cap, piped in a buff color, with a wonderful darkened bronze propeller badge pinned to the left side front. Standard WWI Army enlisted tunic with US 43 & Signal Corps collar discs. Machine sewn Air Service Corporal chevron on the right sleeve, 1st Army, Balloon Corps, Discharge Stripe & two Overseas Stripes handsewn to the left sleeve and shoulder. 1918 dated Strouse & Brothers makers tag stitched into the hem of the lining. Unusual vegetable ivory buttons which are pierced at the center with stitch holes.Standard issue US Army wool breeches with a 1918 dated Margulies & Sons tag stitched into a pocket lining. A framed promotion certificate to Corporal, dated 1919 to Laurence A. Kiefer, 43rd Balloon Company, Air Service, signed by his company commander. I checked online and found a set of transportation lists for the 43rd Balloon Co, one in June 1918 bound for France, and a second in May 1919 for his return to the United States. I have copied these and will provide them with the grouping.  A copy of the book Military Observation Balloons by Nordstrom. The 43rd saw active service during the St. Mihiel and Meuse Argonne offensives in 1918. Overall the set is quite clean, a few minor moth bites here and there, nothing dramitic.