Brass or Bronz Battle Cross Boots Gun Helmet wood bookends signed

Both sculptures are not in same size (All metal parts of one are a little bigger or taller than all parts of second one). I think metal is brass: there are couple tiny spots of brass visibale under helmets and at the metal bases, but there is verdigris onto some places and I don't understand why. I am confused: bronze , painted brass or even copper?
Sculptures with wood base. Both bookends are signed on the metal parts of base. Signatures are "molded" and then painted in gold. One signature is covered with verdigris. I am wondering if this sign is signature of artist.
I wasn't able to read it.
Measures: just wood base 5" x 3"x 2" H each, but because one metal sculpture is a little bigger one bookend is 9 3/8" H and another one is 9" H. Weight of both: 3 lbs. 13 oz.
Thanks,
Inessa

 

No much help but I think if you look for fallen soldier battle cross sculptures you'll find similar pieces as I'm guessing maybe you have. To me the signature looks like Jonas.

 

Do they really do battlefield burials like that? I'd have thought as soon as the battle moved on, the locals would have the helmet, boots and gun away in a trice.

 

Thanks. It is what I was thinking too. Also I just saw similar kind of sculpture installed in some city and very big sculptures for sale made in bronze, but didn't see bookends or even small sculptures for sale.

 

I think it was made just for temporary time, to be able to show the place. I am sure during war there wasn't time and any material do something else.

 

They'd do this so they'd know where the guy was. Marines especially are known for not leaving anyone behind, alive or dead. I think these are from WWII or Korea. Sculpture representing Vietnam uses an M16. https://dragonlaffs.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/image_thumb41.png?w=519&h=348