ORIGINAL WWI US 8th "PATHFINDER" DIVISION TUNIC & DOG TAG - BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE

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US WWI 8TH "PATHFINDER" DIVISION TUNIC & DOG TAG - NAMED TO WOUNDED SOLDIER - NO RESERVE! ****BEAUTIFUL CONDITION - POSSIBLY VERY RARE - PRIVATE IRVING F. KRANZ**** ***8TH DIVISION, 8TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, COMPANY B*** PLEASE READ ENTIRE DESCRIPTON This auction is for a RARE and COMPLETELY ORIGINAL United States Issued World War One 8th "Pathfinder" Division Model 1917 Tunic with the Original Soldiers Dog Tag that was discovered with the tunic. This tunic is complete and in EXCELLENT CONDITION. It has one of the most BEAUTIFUL Eighth Division Patches that you will ever find! This coat also has TWO Overseas Service Chevrons on the left sleeve and ONE Wound Stripe to the right sleeve as well as an honorable discharge chevron below the patch on the left sleeve. These items are completely original to the World War One period and have not been altered in any way. All tests to the thread, examinations to the fabric and viewing of all aspects under various forms of light show all chevrons, patches, stitching, thread and stripes to be completely honest and period to this coat. This MAY very well be an EXTREMELY rare find. This set is Identified to IRVING F KRANZ of the 8th Division, Eighth Infantry Regiment, Company B. Private Kranz my very well have been one of only 29 Men of the entire 8th Division to have been WOUNDED in World War One! History shows that the 8th Infantry Regiment became part of the 8th Division in December of 1917 while the 8th was forming in the United States. The Eighth Division began embarking for Europe from Hoboken, New Jersey in late September 1918. The 8th Infantry Regiment arrived in France as an element of the 8th Division on or about October 12, 1918! The 8th Infantry Regiment was the only Combat Infantry Element of the 8th Division to arrive in France prior to the war ending. The Eighth division histories reported a few small elements being engaged in combat during WWI and also reported 29 men as being wounded in engagements prior to the war ending nearly a month to the day after their arrival. The war ended on 11 November 1918, the 8th Infantry Regiment arrived on or about 12 October 1918. After the Armistice was signed and the war ended the 8th Infantry Regiment remained in France until July 12, 1918. They then reported to Germany to serve as part of the occupation forces there. This would explain the two overseas service chevrons and the wound chevron and could possibly be the only explanation and the only way a member of the 8th Division saw combat and was wounded in the "Great War." As we all know, that would make this an EXTREMELY RARE tunic and dog tag. OK, I COMPLETELY REALIZE that it is completely possible that Irving F. Kranz was wounded with another division during World War I and transferred to the 8th Division when the war ended and served with the 8th Infantry Regiment, Company B during the occupation and until the 8th division was dissolved later in 1919. However, his being a part of the 8th Infantry Regiment makes it completely possible that he did see combat and was wounded as they were one of the only units from the 8th Division in France nearly a month before the war ended! This dog tag and tunic and every aspect of the tunic are completely authentic to WWI and are a great set that MAY very well be extremely rare. We can not guarantee that Irving Kranz was one of the handful of men that fought with the 8th Division during the "Great War" and was wounded. As I stated, he COULD have been wounded in another unit and transferred to the 8th. Regardless, this is a completely real and unaltered RARE tunic and dog tag from the Eighth "Pathfinder" Division. Regardless it is from a man who served with the 8th Division and was wounded at some point during the war. A rare collection either way. This tunic is a very large size for most WWI coats we find. By my best measurements it is approximately a 40 Regular. Every aspect of it is in amazing conditon. It appears that "Private Kranz" may be handwritten to the under... read more

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