Bidspirit auction | Early 20th C. Japanese Mil.

Early 20th C. Japanese Mil. & Ind. Set - ** This diverse historical archive comprises industrial equipment components, military insignia, organizational pins, and numismatic items. The collection centers on a heavy brass industrial nameplate, measuring 6 inches by 3.5 inches as indicated by the accompanying ruler. The plate features hand-chiseled Japanese characters across several lines, identified as technical specifications for a ”Shearing Machine No. 25.” The inscription details machine capacities and adjustments, including terms for ”stroke” (?????), ”gap” (????), and ”plate thickness” (??). The plate has two pre-drilled mounting holes and decorative notched corners. Two electrical sub-assemblies are present. One is a black rectangular bakelite block measuring approximately 3 inches by 2 inches, fitted with four knurled brass screw terminals. Characters molded into the base include ”electricity” (?), ”bell” (?), ”common” (?), and ”line” (?). The second assembly, mounted on a similar base, features two resistors with red-brown bodies and clear glass sleeves, brass terminal posts, and a short fabric-covered wire lead terminated with a knurled brass connector. Military and organizational ephemera include a red wool collar tab with two embroidered Five-Pointed stars, a plain rectangular red wool tab, and a red chevron patch on a khaki wool backing with four stripes. Three original glassine and paper envelopes, each printed with a floral border and the characters for ”Emblem” (??), contain three silver-toned shield-shaped enamel lapel pins. These pins feature a red central character for ”Youth” (?) on a white and green background. Commemorative and miscellaneous items include a circular red and white painted metal tag stamped ”40 OKAMOTO, ” a blue and white enamel pin for ”IWAKI GLASS” centered with a red-and-white stylized cross, and a translucent orange plastic token printed with the characters for ”Currency Exchange” (??). A small group of circulated Japanese coins, primarily from the Showa era, completes the lot. **Condition Report:** The items in this collection exhibit wear consistent with age and industrial or military use. The brass nameplate shows natural oxidation and scattered surface scratches. The electrical components are intact, though the brass terminals show significant tarnish and the wire lead's fabric insulation is frayed. The military insignia show significant wear; the chevron patch has extensive fraying at the edges and some loss to the red embroidery, and the red wool tabs show minor piling. The paper and glassine envelopes for the enamel pins are yellowed and brittle but remain intact. The ”40 OKAMOTO” tag shows significant paint loss and oxidation. All items show general signs of handling and long-term storage. **Estimated Value:** 200 - 450.