Military Collectibles – Get cash today!!
Military Collectibles – Get cash today!
Do you have military collectibles that have been stored in your attic for the last 60 years and wonder what you will ever do with them? Do you want to make sure you get top dollar for these treasures? We want to make sure you do that. We buy military collectibles and give you the best price! We have been buying and selling military collectibles since 1970.
If you have military collectibles that you would like to sell, please call us today! 888-870-5407.
Military Collectibles – Get CASH Today!
Military Collectibles – Get CASH Today!
We want to buy your military collectibles. We buy all sizes of collections. We are interested in any era of military. We have been buying and selling military for 40 years. Give us a call or email today. Not sure what to do with an estate, call us and see if we can help you sort it out. Call 888-870-5408.
1930s Pre-WWII Factory Rolls of NSKK – Kansas City Find
1930s Pre-WWII Factory Rolls NSKK -Kansas City Find
We acquired some rare Nazi finds today….right here in our back yard in Kansas City. Treasures you don’t see very often. The first is a German NSKK Early Flat-Silver Bevo Cap triangles in brown for “Westmark” unit color. The second is a German NSKK Flat-Silver Bevo Cap or Kepi Eagle Roll w/RZM paper tags. Other items include:
Wool NSDAP Armband
Large Kriegs Flag
Luftwaffe 1936 Flight NCO Service
Tunic w/unit Ink Stamp
Luftwaffe 1937 Flight NCO Visor Cap
Luftwaffe 1st Model Dagger
Hitler Youth Knife
DAK Afrika Artillery Photo Lot
Cigarette Albums
German Militaria – We will pay cash for your collectibles today!
German Militaria – We will pay cash for your military collectibles today!
We will pay cash for your military collectibles today. Any era, any branch, anything military related. Do you have a personal collection that you are wanting to liquidate? Do you know someone who does? Call us today or email us with photos. We can help! 888-870-5408
Military Collectibles – Military Collections WANTED! We pash Cash!
Military Collectibles – Military Collections WANTED!
Currently in demand: Helmets, uniforms, medals, tinnies, Flight jackets, paratrooper uniforms and US Patches. Do you have a collection you would like to sell? Call us today! 888-870-5408
Military Collectibles – The Cross of Honor, 1914-1918
Military Collectibles – The Cross of Honor, 1914-1918
The Cross of Honor, also known as the “Hindenburg Cross” or the “Honor Cross of the World War 1914-1918″, was the only military commemorative award commissioned during the reign of the Thousand Year Reich.
The terms of the 1919 Treaty of Versailles presented by the Allies without negotiation with Germany were first published in Berlin on May 7th, 1919. The harsh terms, loss of lands, reparations, and virtual disarmament of the military angered and humbled the German people. The Cross of Honor was established by President Generalfeldmarshall Paul von Hindenburg on July 13th, 1934 in order to reestablish honor and pride in the military and in the German people who contributed to the first World War effort and suffered through the post Versailles Treaty Weimar Republic administration. It was commissioned by the German Reichs Chancellery and designed by Eugene Goted.
Three grades of the Cross of Honor were awarded for service during World War I. These were the combatants’ grade, non-combatants’ grade, and the next-of-kin grade. All three grades were common in size, 38mm across the Maltese cross, with raised edges, wreaths, and dates, all of 1 mm in height. All grades of the medal also had a flat reverse with either a manufacturers stamp or number. The combatants’ and non-combatants’ versions of the medal were generally made of bronzed iron or of bronze. The next-of kin grade was blackened in order to recognize the loss of a family member.
All grades of the Cross of Honor had to applied for an approved by the Reichsminister of the Interior. The application must also have been accompanied by proof supporting the grade of the award. In May, 1942, the award was expanded to include Allies of Austria and Germany.
The combatant grade was awarded to only those soldiers and sailors who saw combat in the German Imperial Military. The combatants’ grade was a Maltese cross with a pair of swords, hilts at the bottom, crossing in an “X” between the arms of the Maltese. The swords measured 41 mm from the hit to the tip. Each arm of the Maltese cross had raised edges highlighting the outline of the arm. The very center of the Maltese cross contained the raised numbers 1914 and 1918 indicating the duration of World War I. The year 1914 was presented directly above the year 1918. Outlining the center of the cross was a laurel wreath. Each side of the laurel was composed of five clusters of three leaves. A pair of laurel berries adorned each cluster joint. The base of the laurel wreath was tied with a ribbon. The ribbon ends curled outward slightly and flowed into the bottom arm of the cross. A ribbon ring was affixed to the upper arm of the cross. A ribbon ring was affixed to the upper arm of the cross and measured 1.5 to 2 mm. A ribbon loop passed through the ribbon ring. The combatants’ grade ribbon was 25 to 30 mm in width. The ribbon itself had alternating bands of longitudinal orientation in colors from left to right of black, white, black, red, black, white, and black. This award was worn on a ribbon bar by the military and ranked below other combat awards but above occupation medals. A small set of golden crossed swords were affixed to the ribbon. The inactive combat veteran could wear the ribbon bar affixed with a button through his coat lapel. Approximately 6,250,000 combatants’ versions of the Cross of Honor were awarded.
The non-combatant grade of the Cross of Honor was awarded to non-combatant military auxiliary staff such as administrators, and medical personnel. Additionally, some civilians such as State officials could be eligible for this award class. This grade of the Cross of Honor was very similar to the combatants’ grade, even realizing the same ribbon configuration and colors. However, this grade did not have the crossed swords reserved for the combat veteran. Additionally, the laurel wreath of the combatants’ grade was replaced by a wreath of entwined oak leaves. This wreath was also tied by the same ribbon representation. Approximately 1,200,000 non-combatants version of the Cross of Honor were awarded.
Parents or widows of soldiers who died or were reported as missing in action were eligible for the next-of-kin grade of the Cross of Honor. This grade was very similar to the non-combatants’ grade with the exceptions of the ribbon color orientation and the blackening of the medal itself. The ribbon had alternating bands of longitudinal orientation in colors from left to right of white, black, white, red, white, black, and white. This medal was intended to be worn on clothing by the next-of-kin in order to honor the fallen family member and therefore the ribbon was affixed with a horizontal pin and clasp. Approximately 720,000 medals of this class were awarded.
Sources:
1. German Militaria and Collectibles, http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~sansom/
2. Third Reich Factbook, http://www.skalman.nu/third-reich/index.htm
3. Wehrmacht Awards and Decorations, http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/
4. The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, William L. Shirer
Military Collectibles – We buy military collectibles!
Military Collectibles – We buy military collectibles!
Do you have an old footlocker in the basement full of old military stuff? Its probably in your way and you have no use for it. We are interested in hearing what you have and may make you a cash offer to buy it. Contact us via whichever method you are comfortable with and sell your military collectibles today. 888-870-5408.
Military Collectibles – Get CASH Today!
Military Collectibles – Get CASH Today!
We want to buy your military collectibles. We buy all sizes of collections. We are interested in any era of military. We have been buying and selling military for 40 years. Give us a call or email today. Not sure what to do with an estate, call us and see if we can help you sort it out. Call 888-870-5407.
Military Collectibles – A Victory Task Force
The Victory Task Force The Unit behind the Patch
Since American military patch collectors first began putting patches in their collections, their interest in not only what the symbolism of the patch represented but also information about the unit that wore the patch has made patch collecting the fun that it is.
Many patch stories are well known and easy to determine. Examples include the 3rd Infantry Division – “The Rock of the Marne”, 2nd Armored division – “Hell on Wheels”, and of course the 1st Infantry Division “the Big Red One”. Other patch stories are not as easy to determine and some are just downright obscure. One patch that falls into the this latter category is the “Victory Task Force” patch.
This red shield shaped patch had a “V” at its center. It is referred to in many books on patches simply as “Task Force”. This patch represents one of the most unusual units in the history of the United States Army.
With the entry of the US into World War 2, the War Department determined that the parents, sweethearts and families of the thousand and thousands of soldiers undergoing training could not visit a training camp and therefore had no idea of what their loved ones training was like nor what the equipment they were training on was capable of. The idea for a giant “traveling” military show was decided upon by the bureau of Public Relations of the War Department. Over 1200 soldiers were selected to participate in this unit that became known as “The Victory Task Force”. With the help of ex-members of the Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circuses now in the Army, a plan was set up to move this exhibition task force from city to city in the USA by railroad just like a traveling circus.
Starting in June of 1942, the Victory Task Force traveled to and performed as “The Army War Show” in such cities as Cleveland, Baltimore, Omaha, Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas & Akron.
The show was view by over 4,000,000 people and raised $1,000,000 for the war effort-specifically the Army Emergency Relief Fund.
The show appeared in great outdoor auditoriums or stadiums and combined military precision with colorful and exciting action. The tanks, artillery, horse cavalry, tank destroyers and soldiers of the Task. Force exhibited maneuvering skills, tactical formations and fired blanks in their weapons. The show also had stationary exhibits of a soldier’s camp life and daily training., aircraft of the air force, Engineer Bridges, field kitchens and more.
The proud soldiers wearing the red Victory Task Force patch included an Air Force Component, a band, Horse Calvary, Mechanized Cavalry, Chemical, Coast Artillery, Military Police, Engineers, Field Artillery, Quartermasters, Riflemen, Signalmen, Tankers, Tank Destroyers, Medics and also a Headquarters Detachment.
The task force was organized into a Headquarters Battalion, 1st Battalion, 2nd Battalion and the Air Force Component. Of particular note was the inclusion of members of the 9th Cavalry Regiment from Fort Riley, Kansas. These soldiers were the famous African-American “Buffalo Soldiers”. One individual who performed in the “The Army War Show” was Bert Parks. As an NCO in the Victory Task Force, he did radio broadcasts about the show and instructed the audience how Walkie Talkies worked. You remember him as the long time emcee of the Miss America Pageant.
The scheduling, loading, movement and safe performances of the Victory Task Force are a tribute to American organizations skills, spirit and savvy.
The task force was in existence from June 1942 until September 1942 when, its mission completed the task force was disbanded and its members sent back to their original units.
This patch represents a very unusual and colorful chapter in US Army history. An information filled yearbook style souvenir book was made available. It was filled with action photos of the performances, a history of the unit to include its organization and photos and names of all soldiers who were in the task force.
German Militaria – The Iron Cross 1870
Blood Meets Iron: The Iron Cross 1870 A Shorty Study
Nothing is more familiar to collectors of militaria than Germany’s distinctive Iron Cross, and interest in these ubiquitous awards never seem to wane. The 1870 issue Iron Cross for the Franco-Prussian War has become increasingly popular with collectors in recent years, and good reason. Not only are they the first Iron Cross to be formed by what we might consider ‘modern’ construction techniques, the event they mark proved to be the beginning of a series of world altering events that would culminate in a final paroxysm of tragedy and violence called the Second World War.
As with any collecting field, research into artifacts must be conducted and maximum care taken to guard yourself against the rising tide of quality reproductions. Collecting can be a bit like Police work in that intuition can be a valuable asset, but knowing what to look for is your greatest ally against spurious examples.
The excellent photo reference work The Iron Time by Stephen Thomas Previtera (Winidore Press, 1999) is one of our current favorites here at Manion’s. His section on the Iron Cross 1870 is one of the most concise and informative in recent memory.
This is a prime example of an Iron Cross 1870, 1st class. Correct in all the necessary traits, it features the rare experimental “tweezers” pin and double clasp catch attachment. Its reverse hallmark is the distinctive “13 Lotig,”.
