Anyone collect WWII memorabilia? (1 Viewer)

[Combat]

Given that most of us have an interest in WWII, I was just curious if and what you collect. I see some WWII medals, flags and other things in the local shops but have heard that there are a lot of fakes in the market.

 

[arnhem44mad]

I have a reproduction of a 24th foot hat from the Zulu wars.

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

For those interested...on the ONWTC Forum there are sections to discuss both original and reproduction militaria. All four of the principal owners of ONWTC collect militaria and shoot period firearms and artillery. Most of our combined collections represent the arms, equipment and uniforms of the common infantryman from the ACW to 1945. You are welcomed to visit, post and ask questions.

 

[Beaufighter]

I do have another collecting passion-WW II aviation memorabilia specifically pertaining to the dh98 Mosquito & of course the Beaufighter. I have built up instrument panels, a control stick, O2 regulators, compass' and more. If it went in any of those A/C I try to acquire it. In short, I have my own flying museum and or Mosquito/Beaufighter shrine. But as time goes by-the hunt for the memorabilia becomes much more difficult and of course expensive. I must admit I love reading through the original manuals as if I were building the thing. Last year I visited the Mosquito Museum in the UK & was able to sit in the actual surviving prototype of the Mosquito & photograph away. I believe it is the ONLY surviving WW II aircraft prototype in existence! I sat up there for almost 1.5 hours just thinking of the history & those who occupied the same seat in. Made my year!

 

[wadepat]

I do have another collecting passion-WW II aviation memorabilia specifically pertaining to the dh98 Mosquito & of course the Beaufighter. I have built up instrument panels, a control stick, O2 regulators, compass' and more. If it went in any of those A/C I try to acquire it. In short, I have my own flying museum and or Mosquito/Beaufighter shrine. But as time goes by-the hunt for the memorabilia becomes much more difficult and of course expensive. I must admit I love reading through the original manuals as if I were building the thing. Last year I visited the Mosquito Museum in the UK & was able to sit in the actual surviving prototype of the Mosquito & photograph away. I believe it is the ONLY surviving WW II aircraft prototype in existence! I sat up there for almost 1.5 hours just thinking of the history & those who occupied the same seat in. Made my year!

Beaufighter,

Wow! Sitting in that prototype must have been an incredible experience! If you have any pictures of your Mosquito/Beaufighter memorabilia, please consider posting them. I would love to see some of things you have in your "museum/shrine"!

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[Gideon]

I like WWII photo albums. I've posted a few queries about ones I've picked up. They are really interesting - to see the events from a person behind the lens who was there.

 

[Beaufighter]

Cheers Pat

When I arrive home again nearly next week @ the Scottsdale Aerodrome I will work on taking some pictures of the "museum" to post for you. Also, forward/PM your actual eMail if you want some serious shots of the SDL Squadron Ready Room.

All The Best,
Beaufighter

 

[Beaufighter]

Here is a collection of WW II Flight Helmets, O2 Masks, etc

 

[Beaufighter]

The Holy Grail-a de Havilland Mosquito (Bomber-PR Version) Control Column signed by the RAAF chap that had it-my favorite piece! To the right is a flap quadrant which at one time was full of mud & rust. Literally, it was founf burried in a U.K. farm before I spent hours cleaning it up.

Tally Ho!

 

[Chuck Harris]

The Holy Grail-a de Havilland Mosquito (Bomber-PR Version) Control Column signed by the RAAF chap that had it-my favorite piece! To the right is a flap quadrant which at one time was full of mud & rust. Literally, it was founf burried in a U.K. farm before I spent hours cleaning it up.

Tally Ho!

You could make this into a Joy Stick And use it with Microsoft new Flight Simulator X. This help until you collect all the parts needed to build your real Beaufighter.

Watch your air speed, time & heading

 

[Panzer]

Given that most of us have an interest in WWII, I was just curious if and what you collect. I see some WWII medals, flags and other things in the local shops but have heard that there are a lot of fakes in the market.

Long before I got into collecting K&C, I collected (and still do) WWII memorabilia. Have most of the German original WWII medals, original patches and cap insignia of most of the units that comprised the British Eight Army, original British, Aussie, and German uniforms, headgear and equipment, and a large collection of both English and German WWII out of print books.

I have original framed photo of one of Rommel's reconnaissance pilots, along with several of the pilot's North Africa maps and the compass he carried.

I also collect original WWII photos.

Also have two original Wehrmacht Calvary saddles stamped (1934) and (1942) and two sets of German Cavalry saddle bags.

You’re right there a lot of fakes on the market, especially in WWII Medals. Best to deal with reputable dealers who know there business. Manions’ online auction is a good starting point. Sellers actually have to send the items to Manions so that Manions can examine the item for authenticity and assign a classification score for condition.

Semper Fi!
Rick

 

[vandilay]

I have a few bits and pieces ,My grandfather was an anti aircraft gunner in the pacific [guadalcanal] so I have his medals ,glasses ,dog tags and pay book etc.I have letters sent to my grandmother from her brother who was killed flying bombers early in ww 2 .And I was lucky enough to get my Neighbours gunners hat and Brigadier band and signed book [who served in north africa,vietnam and korea].And just recently my wife gave me a book
written by another local [2 doors down from where I grew up]"the happy hunted' by brigadier george clifton ,another north africa veteran .I have
written in an earlier thread about the breakout from minqa qaim and his book
has a photo of rommel interviewing him after capture relating to New Zealanders bayoneting wounded men.I also have a few badges etc I
have bought at various times.

 

[OzDigger]

I have my Grandfathers WWI medals and his taped memoirs plus a Turkish belt buckle and badges of several units, also some Turkish rifle cartridges.

I have my Fathers WWII Airforce logbook and a photo album full of WWII items such as train tickets, postcards, photos, etc he collected whilst training in Canada and the UK and visiting the USA, Ireland etc.