Ocean Liner & Nautical Related Artifacts

ARTIFACT: This is a rare type 1 World War II launch tag for the USS Capelin SS-289, which departed from Portsmouth Naval Ship Yard on January 20, 194On the ship's first war patrol, conducted in the Molucca, Flores, and Banda Seas between October and...

ARTIFACT: This is a souvenir ribbon for the launching of the USS Billfish (SS-286) from the Portsmouth Naval Ship Yard on November 12, 194The Billfish was commissioned on April 20, 1943 and earned seven battle stars during World War II. VINTAGE: Circa...

ARTIFACT: This is a launch badge from a lost boat, USS Cisco SS-290. Courtesy of www.hazegray.org: Cisco (SS-290) was launched 24 December 1942 by Portsmouth Navy Yard, Portsmouth, N.H.; sponsored by Mrs. A.C. Bennett, through her proxy, Mrs. N...

ARTIFACT: This is a World War II USS Billfish SS-286 launch badge. Courtesy of www.hazegray.org: Billfish (SS-286) was launched 12 November 1942 by Portsmouth (NH) Navy Yard, sponsored by Mrs. Lewis. Parks wife of Lieutenant Commander Parks; and...

ARTIFACT: Rare 1930's Portsmouth Navy Yard auto license plate or plate topper. The plate is red, painted steel and reads: "NAVY YARD 318 PORTSMOUTH" in raised lettering in white painted detail. VINTAGE: Circa 1930's. SIZE: Approximately 7-3/4" in...

ARTIFACT: This is a circa Spanish-American War era United States Navy cap tally for the USS Uncas, Ocean Tug No. 5Originally a commercial tugboat owned by Luckenbach & Company, the Uncas was recruited for naval service in 1898, capturing and sinking...

ARTIFACT: This is an unidentified medallion or token, possibly for a sailors' or seamans' league. The front reads S.L. and shows an anchor. VINTAGE: Circa unknown. SIZE: Approximately 1-1/2" in diameter. CONSTRUCTION / MATERIALS: Brass...

ARTIFACT: This is an unidentified, possibly circa late 1800s pin-on hat badge in bullion showing crossed oars at its center. The badge is oval and may have been for a Surfman, with a possible link to the US Life Saving Service. VINTAGE: Circa late...

ARTIFACT: This is an unidentified 1930s pin, most likely for a transportation association. The letters FTA are at the top of the pin in Deco script, and could stand for Freight Transport Association, or something similar. The pin is gold-filled and shows...

ARTIFACT: This appears to be a WWI period Officer's Collar Insignia for the US Shipping Board. The pin shows a striped crest in red, white and blue enamel with a border of 12 golden stars and two anchors. VINTAGE: Circa WWI. SIZE: Approximately 7/8" in...

ARTIFACT: Unidentified 1930's - 1950's nautical, naval militaria, camp patch? The navy blue diamond shaped patch is wool felt and displays a letter: "N" in the center with an anchor behind and beneath a longevity stripe, the patch has a nice white border...

ARTIFACT: Unidentified 1930's - 1950's nautical, naval militaria, camp patch? The navy blue diamond shaped patch is wool felt and displays a letter: "N" in the center with an anchor behind, the diamond has a nice white border. VINTAGE: Circa 1930's -...