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Yesterday on 19 January 25, a Sunday, I went to the large Fond du Lac, WI gun show and I found a Snead, Morgan Explosion, VICTORY ashtray and the fellow marine sold it to me for $45. It sat all day Sat. No one knew what it was and it was priced at $69. It was sitting out in the open. It was by passed by everybody. So the hard to find ashtrays are still out there! I picked it up & he went down in price since we were both Jar heads. I have not seen any Victory lamps in any shops in the last 5 years. Never see the ashtrays. Just butchered lamps on Flee bay at stupid, beyond high prices then $50 shipping to boot. Here is the ash tray. It looks like it was used as a nut cracker.

Wandsbek, Am Quarrée, Artist, Hans Kalle

It’s tough to tell if your SS cigarette case is real without detailed photos of the markings, but Fritz is on point: many SS-related items these days are reproductions or outright fakes. If you’re considering buying or selling it, it’s worth getting it authenticated by an expert dealing with WWII memorabilia. Authentication services can dig into the symbols and hallmarks to confirm if it’s legit or just post-war junk.

I thought at first postal, but the Reichspost had orange piping, and normally a different cockade as below

Here is another postal officers cap- no runes though.

I would have definitely said postal. Could the ss mark be a later addition?

Can anyone identify this cap. Named to SS-Untersturmführer Mix, 3./SS-Verfügungstruppe ??? He may have been a member of this other organisation, and at the same time, SS-VT. Material appears to be very dark blue velvet, red piping, eagle as per Reichspost, Peak is SS marked.

Never seen one like this before, certainly looks like a chaplain of some sort.

No idea, certainly quite old, may not be military. Ask a few more opinions

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Yes- I was wondering if it was an Army Chaplains buckle (if they existed) but I can’t track any examples down.

I don't know much about these, maybe others can chime in, but it does look similar in appearance to WW1 German Officer buckles or pre-WW2 types. The WW1 models seem to have a more rounded catch on the back, this one looks more squared.

Hi All Has anyone seen a belt buckle like this before? It came with a mixed box of other Third Reich and Imperial belt buckles. Its unmarked and is of two piece construction.

Good day I have this badge which I think my be from one of the Imperial German States. But it could be from another country. Any ideas? Many thanks

Osterode/Harz, 1945. A disabled Tiger II is photographed by an Allied soldier

One of the many bunkers as seen today on the Normandy coast

A lady colleague in the Museum had this nice picture frame, which she didn't need, so she gave it to me. I thought what better picture than this photo of Rittmeister von Hanstein to fit in it.

I had a 1916 German made shell case manufactured by Schneider, similar calibre, with fuse assembly, had German and Russian markings. Don't know the history of the piece. That was many years ago.

Nice helmet Fritz, hard to say on the paint, the color looks good, and it seems to have uniform wear, I can also see the rust lines from the wire on the exterior of the helmet. Have a nagging feeling though it has been touched up a little just from the pitting on the interior. Large sizes such as this are highly desirable with collectors, and it is getting really hard to find untouched/altered helmets now.

Recently acquired WW1 US made Russian 76.2 High Explosive shell, with the transit plug. I have re-inserted it back into the casing once I took pictures of the markings. The HE shells along with the more commonly encountered shrapnel shells were made in the US for the Russians under contract. Unfortunately, by the time US industry was up and running, the situation in Russia was not looking good for the allies and like other ordnance and equipment, most did not make it to Russia in time to make a difference. Furthermore, plants such as the Eddystone Munitions Company, which produced the HE and shrapnel shells, experienced an accidental explosion in April of 1917, resulting in loss of life and further delays in getting munitions to the Russians.

Zylinder, Jahrhundertwende Hersteller: J.C. Zimmermann & Sohn, Potsdam, Hoflieferant des Königlichen Hauses von Preußen