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August 1942. "Detroit, Michigan. Boys in the Polish district." Acetate negative by John Vachon for the U.S. Foreign Information Service. View full size.
Built-in holsters for his six-gun.
The cool tin helmet worn by the fellow on the right was made by Marx toys and came in several different colors (usually silver but also red, green & tan) and at least two different decals; a diving eagle and a roaring lion. This neighborhood soldier appears to have the lion model. The scroll across the bottom of both models states "Fighting Squadron." Great candid photo.
It looks like the fellow on the right has a pair of cut down jeans that Mom probably fashioned from an old pair of Dad's dungarees. She sewed new pockets on, too.
look like a wardrobe "save".
Has bagged many a kielbasa in those Polish hills of Detroit.
The overalls I find somewhat surprising, as I associate them mostly with rural areas, like the one a few pics back (feel free to chastise me for not realizing that in 1942 Detroit was still surrounded by farmland). Whether footwear was as optional in the big city as in Bucoda, we'll not find out ... from this shot, anyway.
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