October 2013 Auction Ends Tuesday, October 29th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/29/2013
Early Israeli Defense Forces officer jacket, shirt and trousers that belonged to the son-in-law of Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion in 1948, the year of Zahal's founding. Lot of original pieces issued to and worn by David Leshem comprises: (1) Officer's wool dress jacket with three .5" x 1.25" bars on each shoulder, each with an olive branch embroidered. Fully-lined jacket has four cargo pockets with flap closures. Letters and numbers are penned inside the right sleeve. (2) Officer's trousers, with a button fly and pockets located at thighs and right seat. Trousers are labeled "8" in ink within. (3) Officer's wool battledress shirt featuring a trio of connected metal bars with the olive branch motif on the top of each shoulder. Shirt has button cuffs, two breast pockets with flap closures and a self belt. Shirt closes at the neck with metal hooks. A sewn-in label reads, "Battledress / Blouse, 1940 Pattern / Size No. 13 / Height 5' 11" to 6' 0"/ Breast 38" to 39" / Waist 33" to 34"/ Akett Limited / 1945." Battledress blouse could have been among the garments procured from a British military base by the Haganah, the underground military organization which became the IDF. Accompanied by a pair of 3.75" x 2" pieces of olive cloth of the type used to cover the bars on each shoulder, identifying the soldier's rank to protect officers from being targeted by enemy sharpshooters. The name "Leshem/David" has been penned in Hebrew in black ink on both cloths. Particularly historical uniform is likely the first original Israeli IDF/Zahal uniform to come up for auction. Near fine.
Zahal Military Uniform Pieces From 1948, The Israeli Defense Forces' First Year, Issued to & Worn by David Ben-Gurion's Son-In-Law During The War of Independence
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