Featured in this lot is this pair of United States 10th Mountain Division aluminum ski poles from the 1940s. The U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division, which was founded during World War II, is a highly specialized division. The division was created in 1943, right in the middle of the war, with the express purpose of fighting in hilly terrain, where conventional infantry forces would be outclassed. When a group of skiers, including members of the National Ski Patrol, contacted the U.S. Army with a proposal to form a specialized mountain warfare unit, the idea for the division was formed. The plan was accepted by the Army after some early opposition, and in 1941, the Army started recruiting skiers and mountaineers to create a specialized regiment. The 87th Mountain Infantry Regiment was the initial name of the unit, and Camp Hale, Colorado served as its base because of the area's high elevation and challenging topography. After a name change, the unit became the 10th Mountain Division and underwent rigorous training that comprised standard infantry instruction as well as instruction in skiing, rock climbing, and other outdoor activities. The division's soldiers also received training in winter warfare, including lessons on how to endure extreme cold and traverse snow-covered terrain. In the final stages of World War II, the 10th Mountain Division participated in some of the most difficult and demanding fights in Italy. The division was reactivated several times over the years, including during the Korean War and the Gulf War. Today, the 10th Mountain Division is based at Fort Drum, New York, and it remains a highly specialized and elite unit of the U.S. Army. The ski poles show an aluminum and leather construction. The leather is fit onto the handles for grips and used in the baskets to keep the poles from sinking into the deep snow. The poles show good condition for their vintage age showing some wear and cracking to the leather components but no obvious signs of damage. The poles measures 49 3/4" L x 8" W.

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