Leaderboard

Here is a Bulgarian M36 Helmet, type C, which was the last version to be produced. Initially these helmets were made abroad, but machinery was moved to Bulgaria to allow for domestic production. The type C was introduced in 1939 and is the most numerous of the various models. The helmet is somewhat similar to the German helmets, but smaller, lighter, and a shorter brim. This particular helmet at a size 54, with the original liner, but missing the chinstrap. I found this at a local estate sale, and it was a cheap pickup.

Picture is a two-piece officer''s visor cover for junior grade from my collection of Kriegsmarine antiques. The cap has a hand-embroidered gilt wire national emblem and, cockade, as well as gold wire piping. This cap belonged to Werner Wendt (1916-1988), Captain of U-765. The U-765 was sunk in the North Atlantic on 6 May 1944 by depth charges on its first war parol. Werner and 10 crewmen survived, 37 dead. Pictured below is the underside view of the visor cap. Pictured below is the two-piece visor cover disassembled. In this configuration, a white or blue cap-covers could be worn. Because I do not like to take this cover apart, I used a photo taken years ago.

Over 4000 views in such a short time, I think this post deserves to be pinned

John, you have an amazing collection, really have enjoyed you sharing your items with us.

From my collection are pictures of my Sold-Libellen KM-2 sextant with its original metal storage box. This sextant was manufactured for the Kriegsmarine by C.Plath. The SOLD KM-2 was developed for navigational use aboard U-boats and S-boats at night and/or in poor weather conditions when horizon not visible. For an in-depth review of this type of sextant, visit the link https://sextantbook.com/2013/11/04/the-sold-km2-bubble-sextant/. A view of KM-2 stored in its metal metal box. Note several accessories from the storage box are missing, but the original inventory label is present on inside of one of the two lids (not pictured). Top of metal storage box with access secured with side latches. The handle sides of KM-2 Sextant were the identification plate was once mounted but removed. View of the dial side of KM-2 sextant. The plate on dial is marked J.B., indiscernible mark, Geprütt Deutsche Seewarte (German Naval Observatory). Another view of dial side of KM-2 sextant. Topside view KM-2 sexton.

Pictured from my collection is a Kriegsmarine navigation square marked Dennert & Pape Hamburg-Altona (maker). A square like this one is pictured on page 441 in the book 'Deutsche Kriegsmarine Uniforms, Insignias and Equipment of the German Navy 1933-1945' by Eduardo Delgado.

Dear Gentlemen, Thank You for advising, Here is my first acquisition for the NSDAP Party Pin m1/164 RZM Marker, (Buttonhole), Check out the photos . I have put it through under the loupe so you guys can have a better look, for example, in the A & O alphabet you may find holes in it, not sure why is there a hole . Enjoy!!

A small grouping from a WW1 German doctor who I believe died several years after the war from the effects of the campaign

Hi, I recently found 4 of these brass Lewis gun barrel jacks at an old British weapons depot. They are an armourers tool for removing the cooling fans from the barrel. Seem to be extremely rare as I can’t find any other examples online. Does anyone know what they might be worth ? Thanks

I’ve been looking for a nice example of the eastern front medal for a while now what are your thoughts on this one ?

Here's front and rear of my own nice Ostfront medal

Hi John333, It took me a long time to find a DECENT Ostfront medal. My advice would be to go for the shown medal if the price is reasonable to you as it is quite a nice example. Especially as it has a makers mark on the suspension ring. You can always keep looking for a better conditioned one and upgrade at a later date. So, if you don't have one yet, go for this one with an eye to upgrade at some point in the future. REALLY GOOD examples of this badge do not come up very often, and when they do they are snapped up quickly!

Is this a good one guys and any ideas on the maker ? Thanks

Fritz: The answer to your question "I assume the buttons on the leather crew jacket are probably of gilded glass? " is "No." All the buttons on the black leather jacket in my collection are of two-piece metal construction with a fouled anchor gilt front and the backs are marked BESONDERS HALTBAR 'Particularly Durable' with makers symbol. A black leather jacket like mine with gilt fouled anchor buttons can be seen below on page 263 of Volume 2, Die Kriegsmarine Uniforms and Traditions by John R. Angolia and Adolf Schlicht. Pictured below is the back of a two-piece metal fouled anchor button on my black leather jacket. Note that various manufactured produced buttons that were used in making black leather jackets for the Kriegsmarine. Along with my black leather jacket having metal gilt buttons pictured below, note that this jacket has the Kriegsmarine ordnance mark (Eagle over M) between two fouled anchor buttons. The Kriegsmarine proof mark like the one on my jacket is pictured below on page 265 of Volume 2, Die Kriegsmarine Uniforms and Traditions by John R. Angolia and Adolf Schlicht. The collar of the neck was closed up by a metal clasp like the one below on my jacket. Note the front corner of the low standing collar are rounded and the button holes are reenforced with a narrow leather trim. Pictured is the interior of my jacket, which is lined with wool. Also I have enclosed a picture of the back of this jacket. For further information I havedenclosed page 288 of Deutche Kriegsmarine Uniforms, Insignia and Equipment of the German Navy 1933-1945 by Eduardo Delgado.

Hi Eddie, I'm afraid the serial number is just a batch number so would not identify the U boat. Sometimes you will find the letter N which would identify them as belonging to the German Navy North Sea Fleet. Sorry can't help much more. Here is a list of the makers codes but no list of serial numbers as far as I'm aware. b e h ERNST LEITZ. WETZLAR GERMANY b e k HENSOLDT WERK FUR OPTIK UND MECHANIK HERBORN GERMANY b l c CARL ZEISS, MILITARABTEILUNG JENA JENA GERMANY b m h JIRASEK (not in Walter) PRAGUE CZECH b m j M. HENSOLDT & SOHNE, A.G. WETZLAR GERMANY b m t C. A. STEINHEIL SOHNE, GmbH MUNICH GERMANY b p d C. P. GOERZ, GmbH VIENNA AUSTRIA b v f C. REICHERT VIENNA AUSTRIA b y g JOH. WYKSEN, K.G. KATTOWITZ POLAND b z z I.G.-FARBENINDUSTRIE, CAMERAWERK MUNICH GERMANY c a d KARL KAHLES (telescopic sights) VIENNA AUSTRIA c a g D. SWAROVSKI WATTENS/TIROL AUSTRIA c a u KODAK AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, DR. NAGEL WERK STUTTGART GERMANY c c x OPTISCHE UND FEINMECHANISCHE WERKE, HUGO MEYER & CO. GOERLITZ GERMANY c l b DR. F. A. WOHLER KASSEL GERMANY c l n ED. SPRENGER BERLIN GERMANY c r h FRANZ SCHMIDT & HAENSCH BERLIN GERMANY c r n HANSEATISCHE WERKSTATTEN FUR FEINMECHANIK UND OPTIK, FRIEDRICHS & Co. HAMBURG GERMANY c r o R. FUESS, formerly J. G. GREINER & GEISSLER BERLIN GERMANY c x n EMIL BUSCH, A.G. RATHENOW GERMANY d d v OCULUS (optometrist equipment, possibly gunsights) BERLIN GERMANY d d x VOIGTLAENDER & SOHN, A.G. BRAUNSCHWEIG GERMANY d k l JOSEF SCHNEIDER KREUZNACH GERMANY d o q DEUTSCHE SPIEGELGLAS A.G. (telescopes, lenses) LEINE GERMANY d o w WAFFENWERKE BRUNN A.G. (1943-OPTICOTECHNA GmbH) PRERAU CZECH. d p g ADOX KAMERAWERK GmbH (cameras) WIESBADEN GERMANY d p v ZEISS IKON A.G. DRESDEN GERMANY d p w ZEISS IKON A.G. GOERZWERK BERLIN GERMANY d p x ZEISS IKON A.G., CONTESSAWERK STUTTGART GERMANY d y m RUNGE & KAULFUSS RATHENOW GERMANY d y s HEINRICH ZEISS, UNIONZEISS K.G. ('apparently optical' BERLIN GERMANY d z l OPTISCHE ANSTALT OIGEE GmbH BERLIN GERMANY e a f MECHANOPTIK GESELLSCHAFT FUR PRAZISIONSTECHNIK, AUDE & REIPERT BABELSBERG GERMANY e a w R. WINKEL GmbH GOETTINGEN GERMANY e e d KURBI & NIGGELOH (photographic equipment) RADEVORMWALD GERMANY e s o G. RODENSTOCK MUNICH GERMANY e s u STEINHEIL SOHNE GmbH (telescopes & optics) MUNICH GERMANY e u g OPTISCHE PRAZISIONS WERKE GmbH WARSAW POLAND f c o SENDLINGER OPTISCHE GLASWERKE GmbH BERLIN GERMANY f j t PHOTOGRAMMETRIE GmbH (aerial recon. cameras) MUNICH GERMANY f l n FRANZ RAPSCH A.G. (sights, often subcontractor to Busch) RATHENOW GERMANY f v s SPINDLER & HOYER K.G. GOTTINGEN GERMANY f v x BECK & SOHNE KASSEL GERMANY f w r OPTISCHE ANSTALT SAALFELD GmbH SAALFELD GERMANY f x p HANS KOLLMORGEN GmbH BERLIN GERMANY g a g F. MOLLENKOPF STUTTGART GERMANY g k p RUF & Co., formerly CARL SCHUTZ KASSEL GERMANY g u g UNGARNISCHE OPTISCHE WERKE A.G. BUDAPEST HUNGARY g u j WERNER D. KUEHN BERLIN GERMANY g w v ERNST PLANK NURNBERG GERMANY g x l FRANKE & HEIDECKE (photographic equipment) BRAUNSCHWEIG GERMANY g x p HOMRICH & SOHN (photographic equipment) h d v OPTISCHE WERK OSTERODE GmbH OSTERODE GERMANY h f o VALENTIN LINHOF OHG (photographic equipment) MUNICH GERMANY h k m CARL BRAUN KG NURNBERG GERMANY h n a KORELLE WERKE, G.H. BRANDTMANN & Co. (photographic) DRESDEN GERMANY h r w HOH & HAHNE (photographic reproduction equipment) LEIPZIG GERMANY h w t IHAGEE KAMERAWERK, STEENBERGEN & Co. (cameras) DRESDEN GERMANY h x h A. KRUSS HAMBURG GERMANY j f n TETENAL PHOTOWERK, Dr. TRIEPEL, K.G. (photographic equipment) BERLIN GERMANY j f p DR. CARL LEISS BERLIN GERMANY j n h F. TUTEMANN (lens holders & optical equipment) LUDENSCHEID GERMANY j o n VOIGTLANDER-GEVAERT (cameras) BERLIN GERMANY j u x NEDINSCO, NEDERLANDSCHE INSTRUMENTEN, (vehicle & aircraft instruments?) VENLO NETHERLANDS j v e ERNST LUDWIG WEIXDORF GERMANY j x n HELMUT KORTH BERLIN GERMANY k h c OTTO HIMMLER (microscopes, optical equipment) BERLIN GERMANY k l n ERNST & WILHELM BERTRAM (photographic equipment) MUNICH GERMANY k n a DER ROBOT, BERNING & Co., K.G. (photographic equipment) DUSSELDORF GERMANY k q c JOS. SCHNEIDER & Co., K.G. GOETTINGEN GERMANY k r q EMIL BUSCH A.G. (assembled from foreign components) RATHENOW GERMANY k w c GAMMA FEINMECHANISCHE & OPTISCHE WERKE BUDAPEST HUNGARY k x v A. JACKENROLL GmbH BERLIN GERMANY l a e HEINRICH ZEISS, UNION ZEISS K.G. GOSTINGEN l f n REFLEKTA-KAMERAFABRIK, C. RICHTER (cameras) THARANDT GERMANY l m q CARL ZEISS (assembled from foreign components) JENA GERMANY l w g OPTISCHE WERKE OSTERODE GmbH (assembled from foreign components) OSTERODE GERMANY l w w HUET ET CIE PARIS FRANCE l w x OPTIQUE ET PRECISION DE LEVALLOIS, PARIS LEVALLOIS-PERRET FRANCE l w y SOCIETE OPTIQUE ET MECANIQUE DE HAUTE PRECISION PARIS FRANCE m b v I.G. FARBENINDUSTRIE, A.G.; AGFA (cameras) BERLIN GERMANY m c a FOTOWERK, Dr. C. SCHLEUSSNER, GmbH (photographic equipment) FRANKFURT GERMANY m t q PHOTOCHEMISCHE FABRIK ROLAND RISSE GmbH (photographic equipment) FLORSHEIM GERMANY m t r VOIGTLANDER & SOHN, A.G. (cameras) BERLIN GERMANY m t u A. LORENZ (MTU also used for AEG electrical equipment) GUTENFELD m t v A. LORENZ DRESDEN GERMANY n m s RICHARD HOLZ BERLIN GERMANY n x t S.A.I. OTTICO MECCANICA E RILEVAMENTI AEROFOTOGRAMMETRICI (stereoscopic aerial photography equipment) ROME ITALY o c p AKTOPHOT GmbH (photographic equipment) PRAG-SABECHTLITZ o c v W. KLAZAR (precision engineering; reportedly photographic equipment) PRAG o k c HAUFF A.G. (photographic equipment) STUTTGART GERMANY p v f C. REICHERT VIENNA AUSTRIA r l n CARL ZEISS JENA GERMANY A.G. = AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT; JOINT STOCK COMPANY GmbH = GESELLSCHAFT MIT BESCHRANKTER HAFTUNG; LIMITED COMPANY I.G. = INTERRESENGEMEINSCHAFT; UNION OF INTERESTS K.G. = KOMMANDITGESELLSCHAFT; LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OHG = OFFENE HANDELSGESELLSCHAFT; PRIVATE FIRM (literally, 'open trading company')

Hello all Another new member seeking Historical WWII information. I recently inherited some German WWII memorabilia from a close family friend whose husband just passed away. They emigrated here to Canada in 1980. Their parents and relatives were part of the war effort in Germany during WWII. Her father was in the Luftwaffe and his items are displayed en mass in one photo. Her uncle was in the 5th SS Wiking division and his items are in the second and third photo's. I will be receiving more information and possibly photos when she receives them from her mother who is still alive in Germany. I am not an expert on these types of items however I do have a keen interest in WWII Hx. Any info or referencing to other sources would be hugely appreciated. I am looking to preserve these items in frame along with my families war memorabilia from that era. Thanking you all in advance.

Some of my fathers medals and photo's of him which are either training in Iran or the south of Italy. One of the two.

Now that's a monster of a tank.Thanks for posting. Always been impressed on a visual level by the Char B1 as a young lad into WW2. It was that massive cannon & the fact it had 2 guns that did it for me. Still grabs me now. Photo source Wikipedia

This is a Mk14 bombsight, it’s been refurbished post war though as it has the ferranti gyro fitted to it.

I have decided to display some of my WW1 era Bayonets by using resin made stands that resemble the muzzle of the corresponding rifle. I think it turned out nicely. I am just missing one bayonet now to finish the display, the Mauser Kar98A, which are hard to find and heavily faked.

Here is an image from the US Army Signal Corps Museum, you can see the lamp and battery box on top by the sandbags.

Pictured is a signed limit edition print by Tom Freeman entitled 'Attack at Dawn.' The print depicts the U-132, commanded by Kptlt. Ernst Vogelsang, attacking and sinking one of the five ships from the crew's war patrol of 10 June -16 August 1942. Purchased this print years ago, I finally had it framed and delivered today. This fantastic print will hang in my home's guest room. I apologize for the reflection of the bubble rap.

Pictured is a signed limit edition print by Gil Cohen entitled 'The Enemy Above.' The print depicts a U-boat crew at battle stations bracing against depth charges. This wonderful print hangs in my home's guest room.

Pictured from my collection are two Navigation Textbooks (Part I and Part II) for the Kriegsmarine and Merchant Navy. These books were published at the request of the High Command of the Kriegsmarine and the Reich Ministry of Transport, 1942. Navigation Textbook, Part I . Navigation Textbook, Part II.

Pictured from my collection s the german naval yearbook 'Nauticus' for 1942. This book contains over 450 pages that document the exploits of the Kreigsmarine.

From my collection 0f kriegsmarine antiques is a large chart with pencil notations for navigation. I had this chart professionally archived/framed. and is hanging in my library.

Hi john, that one is original, probably worth around £195 to £225

Badge looks original , very odd about the holes, I have seen Deschler golden party badges with a vent hole so that when the enamel centre was joined to the oak leaf plate the gas between the two items could escape, perhaps this is something to do with that, although I have never seen this on a standard party badge before, plus you would expect to see the holes in the metal part of the badge rather than the enamel.

The maker and batch number do not coincide with this being an SS helmet, Heer and Luftwaffe HKP M42's dominate this series.

Ooops, should upload the photo

I thought I would wait a while before I posted this, but I can’t wait any longer. Lorient Shield, 100% correct, got all the background, my mission to collect ALL the shields is complete!! When I have the time Kenny, it might warrant a long post as all of my shields to ensure their history publishing - every one is 100% from the source. if im going to be a perfectionist, I need a small m Cholm - I have the long m as you know. Anyway, big cigar and martini time!! e

Here is my newly acquired Enlisted Interim or Dress Prussian Cavalry Sword M1889. It has a folding hand guard and Bakelite grip. There are faint traces of engraving work on the blade but it is too light to capture adequately. The hand guard and metal parts associated with the handle are Nickle plated, the folding hand guard had a crest for the various German states.

Holy smokes what a rabbit hole, your experience here has been invaluable and I hope my example might help others. The silver test did tarnish so I think that's a plus - but I can't see this as 100% genuine at this point, thanks again. I now have larger concerns about a recently visited store in the UK too, as this isn't the first strike out!

It's quite a long time ago but (probably) the most interesting SS cuff title I ever owned came from yourself, Kenny, an issued and nicely worn condition embroidered RZM pattern "Frw. Legion Norwegen" title. I had popped into your shop on a rare visit to Glasgow and you had it up for sale along with a similar embroidered Frw Legion Niederlande title, it was also used condition but still stitched together in a loop, right off the sleeve. Both were totally original titles - wish I could have bought them both but could only afford one at the time. Really rare things in collecting terms.

Here’s my Luger - 1915 DWM manufactured - all matching numbers complete with hard leather case dated 1916 and two WW1 issue magazines. The Luger has an interesting story behind it which I am researching at the minute and will comment further on when I’ve verified the facts. However, as it stands, it’s a lovely Luger, in great condition, which may or may not be related directly to Passchendaele.

Greetings, new to the forum. Was hoping someone would help me understand the inscriptions on the rear of my Iron cross. Are these campaigns/ dates?Appreciations in advance

All: The next three posts will provide a few of the many examples of propaganda in my Kriegsmarine collection. Booklets, magazines, postcards, and other forms of propaganda were provided to glorify Germany's naval exploits, encourage recruitment, and lift moral to further an agenda. Note that I take care to archive/protect all pieces in my collection, especially paper and cloth. Please do not post any written response/comment on this thread until I have completed the next three post, thank you. Best regards, John R.

Pictured from my collection is a flag of water sports vessels. Kriegsmarine owned sail boats and yatchs were. required to fly this flag. A flag like this one is on page 361 in Volume 3, Die Kriegsmarine Uniforms & Traditions by John R. Angolia and Adolf Schlicht.

A stupid question, were wrenches like the Ford and American tractor wrenches marked in a special way for sub or ship tools? Any books that show tools and tool chests of WW I or WWII subs?

Pictured from my collection is a metal Öler 'lubrication syringe' marked Kriegsmarine 50.

I just can not imaging such a poorly designed magazine in all that mud. WW I Marines threw them away. I love this post and all the historic photos. from an old issue of American Rifleman (2012). An interesting discussion. https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/that-damned-jammed-chauchat/

Men of French 107th regiment posing with several chauchats. Note the spare magazines and leather wrist holder for the pocket watch.

Very good. You can even read the full newspaper, all the most important news of the day, apart from "censorship". U-Boot successes around northern Scotland and successful attacks on the south of England, airfields etc., light British bombing raids in the West, little damage, 2 intruding aircraft shot down by naval flak and fighters. This issue was the last daily issue, after which a weekly issue on Tuesdays was planned.

Mine was about the £260 mark but that was without the separate fold out map. I got the map with the 42 Kalendar that I obtained from the same source. Just as an aside, the fold out maps that come with the 42 and 43 Kalendar (and in this case the 41 booklet) are different although they generally look the same. The 43 map has more coverage to the east than the previous map to include Palestine, Syria and Transjordan. It also leaves out Tunisia.

The 1914 Bar is for the 1870 Iron Cross, the 1939 Bar is for the 1914 Iron Cross. Note the difference between the 1914 and the 1939 ribbons, latter is red/white/black. Sorry to hear about your father. 1870 Iron Cross with Bar 1914 and Jubilee oakleaf 1914 Iron Cross with Bar 1939 1939 Bar as worn (example: internet photo) Iron Cross 1939 on correct ribbons 2 examples of E.K.I 1914, first example has a maker's mark on the pin, S.W., Sy & Wagner, Silver second piece, alloy with silver content, has no maker' mark and a rather unusual pin, the cross is convex in shape, which maybe makes it sit better on the uniform, a preference of the wearer. An extra piece, which the wearer has privately purchased, these decorations were readily available to those who were entitled to it.

Fritz, Thank you again for your knowledge. The ribbon in the background wasn't placed over the 39' cross intentionally, I was sorting through many of my crosses. You say that ribbon + bar is worn with 1914 cross or 1870? I'm in the process of sorting through my father's collection which was passed down to me. I want to make sure all documents, cases, bars ect. Are kept with the corresponding awards. He was more the expert and was teaching me but sadly past before we completed. Here are a few 1870 crosses I have as well. I enjoy the subject and very much appreciate the time you're taking in your responses.

Following many years of restoration and sourcing of parts from all over the the world this immaculate Fiat CR42 Falco with its awesome camouflage resides at Duxford England and is soon to be a flyer. Also coming along nicely in the restoration hanger is this Beaufighter that will one day take to the skies once again. With her awesome array of 6 cannon 8 machine guns & rockets it must have packed one hell of a punch as a ground attack anti shipping weapons platform. The only Flying Fortress flyer in Europe now following the retirement of B17F Pink Lady is Sally B (wearing Memphis Bell nose art on the starboard side) a B17G looking good in her olive drab. My favourite US WW2 aircraft type often referred to as the box the B17 came in is this beautiful B24, an M model I believe. She is static, one of 2 in the UK/Europe apart from relic status airframes. Look at those lines ! Finally and apologies for the poor photograph but those airframes are squeezed in tight. B29 Superfortress Hawg Wild. This aircraft was 'rescued' from the China Lake gunnery range in the States and flown to the UK. The only B29 in Europe. Technically a flyer but is on static display in the American Air museum hanger along with the B24 and another B17G to name a few. Taken last year at the Flying Legends weekend.

Here are the batteries themselves, most I have are dated Sept-Nov 1918. The last picture shows one in the original wrapping.

Here is the spare battery box that held 4 batteries. It has belt loops on the back side to be worn on the belt.