What's your newest Militaria? (2021)

Got this Japanese stuff. 1938 calendar,Type-4 grenades,Naval Landing Forces mess tin,Officer canteen,cloth bucket,1941 winter canteen cover,named leg wraps,soldiers bag and papers.Rich A. in Pa.

 

Too bad. I have Gallands dagger and his oher shoulder general marking. Got the COA and Galland's younger wife photos signatures some 5 photos. If you only lived in Finland...

 

Well, for the whole of 2020, I added virtually nothing to my collection !

Lost interest ? No......in fact, revisiting my collection ( even finding some things I'd forgotten I had ) has been fun.

But the dreaded LOCKDOWN has made me realise that most of my collecting enjoyment comes from visiting fairs, browsing the stalls, chewing the fat with dealers and other collectors, finding unexpected items.......mail order for me just isn't the same.

Right now, I'd give absolutely anything to be able to jump in the car and go........ ( except maybe my MP44 ! )

 

Likewise, I too didn't purchase any militaria in 2020. The biggest show of the year here in the UK was scheduled for 2nd February 2021 at Stoneleigh in Warwickshire but has unfortunately been cancelled due the pandemic and lockdown.
I prefer to handle and inspect the militaria I'm interested in prior purchasing and also enjoy the atmosphere (and smell ) that a militaria show generates.

 

Hopefully this summer things will be different.

 

Well, I must say that's a bit harsh.....some of us collectors have been known to take a bath at least once a month !

 

You bathe that often? Wow!

My wife always comments and complains about that old musty smell that accompanies the stuff I bring home from militaria shows.
Needless to say the door of my 'war room' is always closed!

 

Got this stuff. Saki cups and tray,map cases,NLF canteen,bonds. Rich A. in Pa.

 

Actually bought something...by mail order. This was offered by a trusted UK dealer and caught my eye - a relic Schwere FH 18 15cm shellcase recovered from Noville in the Ardennes. It was cheap and I liked the Ardennes provenance. It arrived yesterday and I'm glad I got it - it's big, heavy and in better-than-average relic condition ; no holes and the correct '44' date still visible.

I've added a pic of one of my favourite Bulge relics - the real deal, an actual S.FH18 abandoned at Cherain near Houffalize and which I've visited many times. The pic was taken on my first visit, on a rainy summers' day in 1987......

 

Nice shell case. Rich A. in Pa.

 

Thanks, Rich - all I need now is the other half of it !

 

Good going, Martin!

 

As longtime mebers may remember, I don't really 'do' awards. However, over the years I've picked up a few of the more common German awards ( EK1&II, wound badges, Ostmedaille, etc ) and over time I've managed to find original envelopes for most ( except the EK1 ). My Infantry Assault Badge was an odd one out - until this week. Noticed a rather grubby but original envelope for sale from a UK dealer. I've had the Sturmabzeichen for years, so for £10 it's nice to have the right envelope for it....

 

Envelope makes it. Rich A. in Pa.

 

Finnish volunteer´s Xmas card

 

Fantastic piece! Wish I had one. Rich A. in Pa.

 

Got these Japanese pants and Off To War banners. Rich A. in Pa.

 

Uniform group,empty LRP package,1952 30 cal. carbine tracer,insignia,book,French belt. Rich A. in Pa.

 

I don't have a photo, but I'll post something when the project is complete. But I recently picked up a No4 Mk II Enfield rifle, and it is in the process of becoming a No4 Mk II (T) Sniper Rifle. I have acquired a reproduction scope, mount, bases, scope case with adjustment tool, and I found the proper wooden crate it goes in. This will be cool when I'm done. But mounting the scope is a real pain; requires milling of the receiver, and tapping screw holes through the hardest part of the receiver (and I'm here to tell you, that steel is HARD).