US WWII, GI Souvenir Belt & Decorated Holster, 17th AB Veteran
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: $325.00

Original era manufacture. Earlier this year we offered on our site, a very comprehensive grouping to a 17th Airborne Vet, who when jumping during Operation Varsity, had his main chute collapse due toa Flak burst, saving his life by the deployment of his reserve chute. The gentleman who we purchased the grouping from broughtus this truly unique, GI decorated belt & holster set, which came with the original grouping; which he had put aside for himself.The set includes a brown leather belt sporting and enlisted NSKK pattern buckle, with stitch decoration and alternating panels of leather along its length.The holster is a European revolver holster, which once had an external ammunition pouch stitched to the body. This was removed, and has had a section of animal fur (some large cat) placed over the end of the holster.An enlisted Police shako eagle has been dramatically altered to fit over the fur, acting as sort of a bowsprit for the ensemble. Further embellishments include a DAF membership emblem and an aluminum officers cap cord providing further decoration.Both items display normal age and wear, and are without a doubt one of the more bizarre of the GI decorated souvenirs we have ever offered.Details on the 17th ABN vet are below, which we printed in our original listing.Sgt. Harry B. Wheeler 464th Parachute Field Artillery BN Operation Varsity, March 24, 1945.Offered is this original grouping to the above named soldier, who served with the 464th Parachute Field Artillery BN during WWII. Sgt Wheeler was an active participant during the last major Airborne Operation of WWII, the Rhine Jump,Operation Varsity, on March 24, 1945.During his combat jump, Sgt Wheeler's main chute collapsed due to a nearby burst of German Flak, it was only by his quick thinking and the deployment of his reserve parachute, was he spared from certain death.