TIGHAR
Amelia Earhart Search Forum => Artifact Analysis => Topic started by: Mike Piner on July 18, 2010, 01:33:45 PM
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This is in regard to an artifact: 2-6-S-46 (http://tighar.org/Projects/Earhart/help/Artifact6.html) . It looks very much (as best as I can remember) like the hook on a galosh. For those who do not know what that is, remember the rubber overshoes ladies and men and children used to wear.
LTM, who used to make us wear them. Hope this helps.
Mike Piner
Topic split; link inserted. -- MXM, SJ
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I suggested the same a number of years ago but Ric responded the part is most likely the handle of a cup.
Ted Campbell
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Looking at the photos again, and thinking about the size of it, it might stick out too much for a golash. Do we know what the material is that it was welded to? A new thought, The finger added in one of the photos, makes me think of a tray which a surveyor's transit is secured on. This item , artifact 2-6-S-46, might be screwed on the tray, with which to pull the transit from th case. LTM, Mike
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Do you guys have a picture of what you're talking about - transit tray?
Ted Campbell
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The hook part from some form of hook and eye fastner, possibly a securing latch for a container or box?
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Very interesting observation - I wonder if any golashes might turn up in either the Electra's sundries or from the Loran Station?
- Jeff
It might be possible to get a copy of the LORAN station's small stores issue list. This is an inventory of all personal clothing and gear issued to those stationed at a specific station. The artifact also resembles a fastener on some types of rain gear, which might be another avenue to explore.
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OK folks....I'm going way out on a limb with this guess. Follow me here...
I was poking about the site here this evening. Someone a year or so back had posted a pointer to a company which specialises in recreated AAF leather jackets ('A2' or 'Bomber' jackets). Original TIGHAR Posting here. (https://tighar.org/smf/index.php/topic,71.msg232.html#msg232) They claim to be making them to original spec...including all of the variations which occurred from contract maker to contract maker.
One thing I ran across on this companys' site is the recreated jackets of the Aero Leather Clothing Company of Beacon, NY. Main Aero Leather Item Listing here (http://www.goodwearleather.com/pages/a2_acme18775.html)
Along with all of these listings are pictures of their recreation (which they claim to be as close to original as is possible) Associated Aero Leather pictures here (http://www.goodwearleather.com/pages/gwacme18775_images1.html)
Beginning with the 14th picture and continuing for several, it shows a metal loop-and-hook-clip (of similar size and design to our artifact) used as collar closures.
Now, I know this pic is not identical.....but I don't know how successful they are at making accurate 'recreated' jacket designs, either. (Not to mention that AE's jackets surely were not Govt Issue)
My point, though, is: I have not seen this design on leather jackets before. However, if this IS indeed an authentic feature of jackets of the time.....our artifact appears somewhat similar.
The bad news: Although we've seen numerous pics of AE and FN with leather jackets of this basic design....I have little doubt but what every Coastie in the service at the time also had one of their own.
Yes, I know....LOTS of conjecture. If I am all wet on this.....I hereby apologise. But I saw these pics and that artifact pic immediately leapt into my mind.
LTM,
.....TB
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Interesting comparison.
If memory serves, the artifact is significantly larger than the "eye and hook" found on the jacket. I have a similar jacket and it has a slightly different version of the hook, but also smaller than the artifact.
Look at the photo of the artifact hanging on Ric's finger for scale.
Doesn't mean it wasn't used for a similar purpose on a larger item.
Andrew
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Andrew....
As you've seen the item in person...and all I've seen is the pic online hereabouts...I bow to your greater familiarity. Not being 'metric-centric', the ruler in the pic didn't have immediate meaning for me. As I never thought I would know what the item was, I didn't bother to get a metric ruler to compare. I was merely going on Ric's finger for an indication of scale.
I too have seen such closures on galoshes as Jeff mentioned... not to mention rain slickers (images of trodding to elementary school decades ago now running through my head. :) ) However, I'd not seen such an item used on leather jackets before. Wasn't calling it an exact match, merely another avenue of consideration as it were.
Might be interesting to show the item to any of the still-extant Gardner Coasties (presuming that's not already been done). See if they recognise it from any of the CG equipment (tarps, electrical insulation-wear, what have you.) Won't prove AE....but might prove to identify it in general terms.
Oh well...worth a shot. :)
.....TB
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It looks almost like a wire or tubing holder like you would see in a engine compartment. Or something to hold a tube or something like that up away from other parts or simply out of the way. Looks to large to me to be a latch on a clothing item but it's hard to tell. I have never seen any pictures of the inside of the electra, but do to weight and space constrictions, was there any exposed conduit or wiring on the walls of the interior of the air plane, this looks like something that might hold some of that up. Probably way off the mark but thought I'd venture a guess!
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Looking at the photos again, both peices show what looks like some kind of residue from bonding to another surface. Looks soldered or welded?
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The bad news: Although we've seen numerous pics of AE and FN with leather jackets of this basic design....I have little doubt but what every Coastie in the service at the time also had one of their own.
I would not assume that. Although I can't specifically state that they were not issued flight jackets here is my argument against it. The U.S.C.G. is a member of the Department of Defense. As thus they are only issued clothing items needed to complete their duties. They ARE NOT flyboys so thus would not require a flight jacket. My stepfather and I both served in the USAF, he retired in '77, I retired in '99, neither of us were fliers and neither of us were issued flight jackets so I can tell you that it was true from '57 on. The DOD was definately trying to save whatever they could during WWII as everything was needed for the war effort, they would most likely not issue unneeded clothing items to the troops. That said if it were shown that the artifact was in fact a clasp from a flight jacket I would be more inclined to accredit it to AE than a coastie.
LTM,
Don
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Sorry Don, I actually would assume this. Leather jackets quite similar to the standard A1 were indeed issued to a great many Coasties. I've seen several.
In fact, I used to fly with a fellow who wore one almost continuously. When I asked him where he'd gotten it (it appeared quite old by this time) he told me it had been issued to his father who'd served in the CG during the war. Alas....I don't remember this one having clips such as the artifact in question....but clearly the general design was somewhat ubiquitous. And, no doubt, just as popular regardless of incarnation.
In either event, we are advised by those who've seen the artifact in person that it is much larger than would be used in such an application. So...the point appears to be moot, anyway.
.....TB