This listing is for the photographed 1942 "Short Snorter" Signed 1935-A Silver Certificate Note. This note is filled with signatures from soldiers and other military personnel who served in WW2. Dated May 23, 1942, likely when the owner started to collect signatures on the note. This note has an early date compared to other Short Snorter notes of its time, as most U.S. infantry was not deployed until 1943-44, making this an even more interesting find! There is also a substantial number of signatures on this note compared to other Short Snorters like it.
"Short Snorters" were popularized by the U.S. military during World War II, becoming a large part of the popular culture among the infantry during and after the war. These bank notes were signed by one's friends and/or acquaintances as a keepsake. They were most popular with the air force or with those using air travel, as it was commonly seen as a sign of good luck for the soldier to have their note signed before a flight. Short snorters stayed a popular practice during other U.S. military ventures after WWII, but the height of their usage stayed in the 1940s. Short snorters would be filled with signatures, and once servicemen travelled overseas, they would commonly create Short Snorters out of local currency wherever they travelled and attach their collected notes together to create a long sash of dollar bills signed by other servicemen. Today Short Snorters serve as an extremely valuable relic from World War II, giving fascinating insight into the social history of military culture during wartime.
The term "snort" was common slang for a mixed drink in the first half of the 20th century. "Short" was similarly used during this time to signify a less than full measure. Together, the term "Short Snort" was used as slang for a less than full shot of liquor. When airmen started to realize that alcohol and flying airplanes do not mix well, they commonly used short snorts to drink in moderation on flights, which soon led to many airmen jokingly calling each other "Short Snorters." The term started being used as a name for these notes because of the drinking games that would commonly be played using Short Snorters. Service members would each show their short snorters, and whoever had the least number of signatures on their note would pay for the next round of drinks.
Some of the names that are still legible on this note include Robert Elwell, N. F. Frishhertz, Pat O. Harris, W. H. Allured, E. W. Howe, Jack Hom, Harold E. Dorow, Lynn Ballagh, John Bartelt, B. V. Rosberg, Bernice Holder, V. M. Douda, Edward M. Douglas, and J. Q. Wilson.
U.S. military members were not deployed to Europe until May 1942, which likely means that this note was created and signed by some of the first U.S. servicemen that served in World War II, making this an extremely interesting and valuable find. Along with the significant number of signatures displayed on this note, this short snorter is a must have for any collection!
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1942 Short Snorter Signed 1935-A Silver Certificate Note - 5.23.42, Covered with Military Signatures - WW2 Short Snorter Silver Certificate