Military Antiques (1 Viewer)

[wellington]

I'm wondering if very many of you actually collect real military antiques to accent your toy soldier hobby when displaying them?? If so what are some of the items you have?



WELLINGTON

 

[Louis Badolato]

I love military antiques and memorabelia, and display a good bit in my K&C museum. Some of the items include a Gordon Highlander Drum and Banner, an Argyle & Sutherland Balmoral Cap (WWI vintage), a British Sword Bayonet from a Napoleonic Rifle Company (made in 1808), a French 2nd Empire Artillery Officer's Sword, a Civil War Union Field Officer's Sword, a Spanish American War Spanish Infantry Officer's sword, U.S. Krag Bayonet, Spanish American War Medal, Dewey Medal and some bottons off of Spanish American War Spanish Infantry, Artillery and Cavalry Uniforms (all from the family of a soldier who served in the regular infantry during the 1890's out west, then served in the Spanish American war, was promoted to officer, served in WWI as a signals officer and became the CO of one of the first Air Corps squadrons, and retired a Lt. Colonel in 1926), a WWI Japanese Naval Sword, a U.S. 1903 Pattern Artillery Officer's Sword, a WWI U.S. Army ammunition belt and holster (courtesy of Chuck Harris), a Vietnam era Bush Hat, patches and SOG coins (again courtesy of Chuck Harris), and an Iraq War Green Beret Coin (courtesy of Ed Pinon [Halomeeps]). I also have black sand from Iwo Jima and sand from Omaha Beach (also courtesy of forum members).

 

[Rob]

I have a 1918 Lee Enfiled Rifle and Bayonet.I also have a deactivated WW1 Hand grenade,an empty Shell casing from a British 18lb shell and various bits of shrapnel and shell fragments.But my fave item is a clip of British bullets i found just poking out of the mud outside Delville wood.Just thinking how a soldier dropped his clip all those decades ago and here i was picking it up,quite moving actually.

Rob

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

The very few folks I know that collect or paint their own figures have exstensive collections of real and reproduction military equipment from Infantry to Artillery (full scale), mounted equipment or vehicles.
I have been collecting since I was 12 years old as most of my family and neighbors were veterans of WWII. I found that learning about the real uniforms and equipment helped me understand what I was looking at with my historical miniatures and models. At 16 my parents bought me my first black powder Civil War long arm and it took off from there.
One thing is for sure most of the folks I know that collect long term have a change of interest from time to time. This can range from ACW to Viet Nam and collections grow, shrink and in some cases are sold off all together.
I would recommend that anyone new to militaria collecting should really think about just what and why they should collect one thing or another. I have always liked to collect combat infantry uniforms from top to bottom including whatever the fellow might have in his pockets of pack. Others only collect edged weapons or dress uniforms.
Also learn as much as you can about the real items before you lay down any serious money as there are very good reproductions and out right fakes everywhere in the market. One of the oldest tricks by forgers is to take a common item that although authentic, becomes very exspensive by changing something.
For you WWII collectors in the making, the most common item to find is a German Infantry tunic from the Heer (Army) that has had the insignia replaced with real or reproduction Waffen SS insignia.
I was once at a show where this was pushed to the limit. I walked by a table and noticed a fellow looking at a WWII vintage Swedish army tunic...a non combatant in WWII, outfitted with not only bad reproduction Waffen SS insignia, but of a Foriegn Volunteer unit. I had already looked at it and the item still had the Swedish size markings, puncture marks from the removal of the Swedish insignia and the three crown stamp of Sweden. I suggested that he look elsewhere as there were some real issues with this item. Unfortunatly the fellow bought this tunic at a very high price. This can happen becuase you want something to be what you think it is, even when the indications are that it is not.
Wellington, with your interest in Napoleonic uniforms you should consider looking into visiting one of the War of 1812 events in Canada or the US. In addition to several other periods, I have been doing 1812 living history since 1977 including a trip to Waterloo in 1990 with a combined unit of US and Canadian members. If you have a copy of Wellington'es Army recreated in colour photographs you can see me as an infantry Cpl in the two center photos of a British Infantry square firing...I am the one kneeling in the front rank. You might even consider this hobby yourself...you will meet some great folks. Many of these folks collect some originals and most are involved with creating accurate reproductions...either way they will be a great resource as far as good information.
Cheers! Ken

 

[wellington]

Thanks KEN I have been collecting for over 20 years...I use to collect only WW1 and 2 German and Canadian uniforms complete top to bottom as you have indicated......Yes there are alot of fakes out there and I am very careful in what I buy.....as for the reenactments I use to belong to the 49th New York reenactors (merican Civil War), I am currently waiting for my War of 1812 Royal Newfoundland Regiment uniform to be made...I am in the process of joining this group......not sure if you saw some of my reent purchases on another thread......as for the SS stuff NEVER touched it...too many fakes, too expensive....didn't like what they stood for, but really was interrested in the common HEER soldier...I had one of the best collections in Canada at one time. Toy soldiers are a side for me and a fairly new hobby to collecting real artifacts. Perhaps I'll see you in the field some time.


Here it is here
http://www.treefrogtreasures.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5910

Here is the unit I joining

http://www.battleofgeorgianbay.huronia.com/rnrsite/




WELLINGTON

 

[Louis Badolato]

Our good friend Tim Tyler has an extensive collection of Civil War memorabelia, including complete Confederate officer's uniforms. I wonder if he could post a few photos?

 

[lenswerks]

Not antiques, but I have a couple of interesting items.

This a peice of flak my father caught in his butt bombing Zwalfaxing Airdrome in Vienna 1944.

The camera is a cold war item and is KGB issued F-21, about the size of a match box with jacket false button plate and remote control. Photo showing button closed and opened. The plate goes on the inside of jacket while button on outside of the heavy jackets those from the former Soviet Union wore.

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

Hi Wellington...I know some of the fellows doing the RNR...I used to do the 41st Rgt of Ft Gren coy, but now I am pretty committed to the !st Rgt of Vol US Inf. There are some great events along the border and I am sure we will see each other sometime soon.
I used to collect Heer, FJ and Waffen SS camo items back in the 70s but that is long gone for the most part. I now collect WWI and earlier periods, along with the late 18th Early 19th century living history reproductions.
If you have any questions about where to get good patterns or reproductions feel free to PM me.
Ken Osen

 

[binder001]

Not collecting now, but I had the bug real bad when I was doing WW2 battle reenacting back in the late 1970s. We bought enough for our basic impressions, then had to have "one more" item, and "just one more" after that. I was fortunate that back then I was also into US Army stuff and that a LOT of good WW2 stuff was readily available in surplus stores or even Goodwill stores. Now, most reenactors use reproduction uniforms, even the ones doing US infantry. I was running around in original wool uniforms with M41 and M43 jackets and like-new original web gear. Of course, that was back when I actually had a waistline, so WW2 period stuff fit me pretty well. I got out of the reenacting and sold all the stuff and got pennies on the dollar for most (the collector market in GI gear hadn't taken off then). I had a dummy grenade and a few cartridges and that's about it except for my Garand, bayonet and .45 pistol (and even the pistol is a new one, but built to WW2 mil-spec). I DO wish I had kept my tanker helmet - it was in good shape except for lacking the headset.

Gary

 

[hhenry]

As a kid, I was always fascinated with military history, specifically WWII and the Third Reich. This initially led to my playingwith/collecting toy soldiers, playing "army," and collecting and using WWII German/Allied uniforms and accouterments. I found the market in Nazi regalia was inundated with fakes and that I needed to focus on what to collect due to costs. So I sold all the uniform stuff (except for a some stuff I use for paintball or Halloween). Now I just collect military themed books, prints, cigarette cards and soldiers. The wife still thinks I'm all over the map.

I recently moved and haven't had a chance to do any displays. I certainly see the allure and value of using militaria to highlight soldier displays. I see some people simply use appropriate Osprey volumes in the background. However, using actual artifacts looks awesome.

 

[Simpson & his donkey.]

I'm wondering if very many of you actually collect real military antiques to accent your toy soldier hobby when displaying them?? If so what are some of the items you have?



WELLINGTON

Yes I have a SMLE 303 dated 1943 that I no was used in P.N.G with the 18 inch bayonet.Also tin hat and water bottle rifle shells and modern styre bayonet and twenty mill shell fired from aslav apc.Cheers Simmo.

 

[Capitolron]

Not to long ago - I stayed at the Union League Club in New York City. Inside the Club's Library was a huge display of Old Toy Soldiers from diffferent campaigns and with them were the Medals for those Campaigns that were given to the troops.

I always thought that was a very cool idea for a display - I plan to do that with my new WWI K&C figures. I have started to look for German Medals from that period.

If anyone knows of some good websites to buy "original" German WWI Medals - please share it with all of us. Ebay has some from time to time - but it is hit and miss.

 

[Tony Neville]

Many WWII guns and now my favourite are two 17th Lancer lances.

Medals, pictures well too much i will show some pics when the display rooms are up

Tony

 

[hoogri]

I have a complete tankdestroyer uniform and want some weapons but the law in the Netherlands prohibits that.

richard .

 

[Tex]

I collect historical firearms, mostly.

I have a M1898 Krag Rifle and a M1903 Springfield Rifle dated 1917. I also have a Frankfurt Arsenal .30-40 Krag Ammo Bandolier that was packaged in 1907, and NEVER opened--it still has the original rounds inside--unopened. I also have a Winchester LtEd repro M1895 Winchester Saddlering Carbine and a flintlock rifle. To go along with my krag stuff, I also have a repro 100-round US army .30-40 ammo belt of the Span-Am era.
That's my good stuff; the rest are little bits from all different eras.

 

[Louis Badolato]

I collect historical firearms, mostly.

I have a M1898 Krag Rifle and a M1903 Springfield Rifle dated 1917. I also have a Frankfurt Arsenal .30-40 Krag Ammo Bandolier that was packaged in 1907, and NEVER opened--it still has the original rounds inside--unopened. I also have a Winchester LtEd repro M1895 Winchester Saddlering Carbine and a flintlock rifle. To go along with my krag stuff, I also have a repro 100-round US army .30-40 ammo belt of the Span-Am era.
That's my good stuff; the rest are little bits from all different eras.

I have a bayonet that fits your Krag rifle.

 

[eborris]

I have a few antiques I guess, a WWII german bayonet, a button from the uniform of dead Japanese Imperial Marine a button from a regular Japanese soldier, a bullet from an Arisaka, used to have a bunch of pictures and some other assorted stuff, but most of it got misplaced over the years. Other then the bayonet not too much you'd call collectible though.

 

[Tex]

If one day you conclude that you no longer need that krag bayonet, I would be willing to take it off your hands!

 

[Louis Badolato]

If one day you conclude that you no longer need that krag bayonet, I would be willing to take it off your hands!

Sorry Tex, its framed in a shadow box with the Spanish American War Medal, Dewey Medal and a couple of bottons off of Spanish Tunics, as part of an homage to the brave soldier who carried it in combat, and earned himself a battlefield promotion.

 

[MCKENNA77]

The only antique I have is a WWII photo album I won off of ebay. It has old black and white photos of German pre-war drills and officer exchanges with Japan. Unfortunately I dont have any information about the guy who took the photos or his personal story. My best guess is that he was a German officer. Im assuming that he died during the war as there are no actual combat photos but I could be wrong. The photos are real and very unique and Ive had them copied and "blown" up to display with my toy soldier collection.

Take Care
MCKENNA