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LOT 324
Historic World War II Painted USAAF A-2 Flight
Jacket Identified to 8th Air Force Purple Heart
Recipient B-17 “Stage Door Canteen” Ball Turret
Gunner - This World War II USAAF A-2 flight jacket
was manufactured by J.A. Dubow Manufacturing Co.
is a size 38, has a Talon zipper, and was worn by twice
Purple Heart recipient Staff Sergeant John Sladek, ball
turret gunner aboard the B-17 “Stage Door Canteen” of
the 535th Bomb Squadron, 381st Bomb Group, 8th Air
Force. On the right chest is the name Johnny in white
paint above a large 381st BG patch. A large 535th BS
patch is sewn to the left chest. The back of the jacket
serves as the leather canvas for a stunning depiction
of Stage Door Canteen flying through flack along
with a 35 mission tally. The name of the bomber was
derived from the Stage Door Canteen entertainment
venue in a basement club that operated in the Broadway theater district of New York City and opened to
American and Allied soldiers, airmen, and sailors during the war. The popularity of the establishment led
to other canteens operating in the U.S., London, and later Paris. The Stage Door Canteen also inspired
the 1943 film of the same name. To publicize the film the B-17 “Stage Door Canteen” was christened by
Winston Churchill’s daughter, Mary. Images of the christening are provided. Sladek served in the USAAF
from 1943 to 1945 and was the ball turret gunner aboard “Stage Door Canteen.” The ball turret was a
very dangerous place to be on a B-17. It has been estimated that B-17 crews had a 30% mortality rate;
however, mortality rate for ball turret gunners was 60%. Sladek earned the Air Medal with four Oak leaf
Clusters, two Purple Hearts, and European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two Stars. The
ribbons are included as well as a ball turret data plate, two sterling silver gunner wings, embroidered gunner
wing, and a piece of the ball turret which was struck by an included piece of flak that logged in the turret gunsight on a raid over Munster, Germany on
October 28, 1944. He was injured by flak on the October 28th mission aboard “Chug A Lug,” earning him his first Purple Heart. He received his second Purple
Heart on a December 12, 1944 mission to Stuttgart and aboard “Boulder Buf,” which crashed. Sladek completed his tour of duty as a crewmember of “Stage
Door Canteen.” Several wartime photos of B-17s including “Stage Door Canteen” and crew and a photo of Sladek are among his personal belongs offered
in this lot. All of Sladek’s 35 missions are listed in a April 19, 1945 Record of Operational Missions. Also included is a small reference library: “The 8th See
England,” Ron MacKay’s “381st Bomb Group,” and Ken Stone’s “Triumphant We Flay: A 381st Bomb Group Anthology.”
CONDITION: The jacket is a well-worn piece of personalized World War II aviator gear with tears and dry leather. Much of the paint remains to the stunning
work of art on the back. The patches are fine. A very historic A-2 flight jacket identified to an 8th Air Force ball turret gunner.
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000
LOT 323
Unique Remington-
Rand Model 1911A1
Demonstration/
Presentation Semi-
Automatic Pistol - Serial
no. 45, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch
round bbl., parkerized finish, plastic grips. This rare Model 1911A1
“demonstration pistol” was manufactured by Remington-Rand in 1943. These “demonstration pistols” were
manufactured to show employees the finished Model 1911A1 pistol, explain how it was used, and emphasize
the importance of every aspect of manufacturing in the functioning of the pistol as a whole. Remington-Rand
manufactured only 145 demonstration pistols in a separate series beginning with serial
number “1”. The pistols had a parkerized finish and the serial numbers were stamped on the pistols after
it was applied. The pistols did not have military nomenclature, inspection, proof, or “U.S. Property” marks on
the slide or frame. After the war, these pistols were subsequently presented to Remington-Rand officials and
employees. These demonstration pistols are described on p. 313 of “Colt .45 Service Pistols: Models of 1911
and 1911A1” by Clawson and an example, serial number 131, is pictured on p. 314. The only visible markings on
the pistol are the two-line Remington-Rand address on the left of the slide and serial number “45” on the right
of the frame. The full blue barrel is marked “P” and “HS” on the left and
right of the lug. It is fitted with blade and notch sights, short stamped
trigger, narrow checkered hammer, long grip safety, a serrated arched
mainspring housing, lanyard loop, checkered Keyes Fibre grips, and an
“R” marked full blue magazine.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 90% plus of the original
parkerized finish with slide retraction marks, some light edge wear, and extensive scattered patches of brown freckling. The grips are excellent with only the
slightest handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A unique opportunity to add one of Remington-Rand’s 145 demonstration Model
1911A1 pistols to your collection!
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
SERIAL
NUMBER 45
312
According to "Colt .45
Service Pistols: Model of 1911
and 1911A1" by Clawson,
only 145 of the Remington-
Rand 1911A1 demonstration
pistols were produced.