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Nice US M1913 "Patton" Sword & Scabbard-- Designed by (the then young LT) Patton, for US Cavalry Service

This US Model cavalry trooper's saber has the historic distinction of being designed by the soon-to-be famous General Patton himself, as a young Lieutenant in the service. It replaced the US Model 1904, and was indeed the last combat cavalry sword of the United States cavalry service. Patton--ever the student of warfare, from equipment, uniforms, weapons, and tactics--designed this sword specifically by the true science of cavalry combat, in that cavalry in actual combat was intended as "shock" troops for mounted attack against other foot soldiers or other mounted forces, thus it needed both the ability to cut with a blow (against infantry) and thrust at speed against another mounted foe. His design was so that it was a straight blade for thrusting, while still granting at least a one-third thrusting force greater than the M1904 cavalry sword. A great website documents Patton's thoughts regarding his designed and produced sword at http://www.pattonhq.com/sword.html If you love Patton, you'll love to read this! This specimen is a 1918-made and marked piece, with crisp markings on both sides of the ricasso. The handle and guard are in very fine original condition, and the blade is untouched and virtually nick-free. The original canvas-covered scabbard is nice as well, having only two small areas where the stitching of the scabbard cover is split (so typical of these). It is complete, untouched, and a very reasonable specimen for you die-hard cavalry/US militaria collectors. There's an eBay auction running right now as I type this, and the current bid is $600 for one of these in identical condition--yes, these swords are worth as much or more than Civil War-era swords! And they ain't getting any cheaper...

Rare Late-War "Last-Ditch" Model & Gold ("Cavalry") Piped German Panzer Soft Cap

This piece has got three cool attributes going for it, to make it a fine and affordable German collectable for your militaria collection: first, it is clearly a late-model "last-ditch" manufacture, as the simple rough quality attests to the desperate last months of wartime production for Germany. Many of these were manufactured not only by German woman and teenagers, but sadly, also by conscripted labor. The Eagle and the Cockade are both simple cloth patches (cockades would have been enameled metal in the "good days" of plentiful supply, but went to simple cloth later in the war to conserve metals, time, labor, cost, etc). The second really great attribute is that it has the hard-to-find gold piping, representing "Cavalry" branch of service--a hold-over of the mounted service days, but was issued typically to Panzer units or Panzer Grenadiers, specifically. Trading their horses in for motorized armored vehicles and halftracks, Panzer Grenadiers were units of infantry assigned to ride in mechanized formations to follow with the spearheads made by their Panzer tank units, exploiting breakthroughs, fighting enemy infantry remaining, etc. Very hard to find any uniform apparel with gold piping, and this one being on a "last-ditch" soft cap is really unusual. Lastly, it comes straight from a farmer's barn in Poland, so it's a cool "barn-find" for WWII relics! Being a late-war piece from Poland, it obviously was lost by a very young or very old fresh Grenadier in the horrific and desperate fighting in Poland, as the Russian might was grinding the Germans steadily back upon the gates of the Fatherland. Cool authentic piece for a great price.

Panzer Grenadiers (pictured below) with their armored half-track, observing the results of the armored assault (note their soft caps being comfortably worn)

"Minty" Condition, Very Desirable and Scarce US M-1 Fiber Helmet (Hawley) Liner & Original Steel Helmet

Made Only One Year During WWII (1941-1942) -- Complete, Undamaged/Unrepaired, Very Good Original Condition

This unique and short-lived design & production of an olive-drab fabric liner for the M-1 helmet was ordered by the US Army Ordnance Department for production in 1941, which the McCord Radiator & Manufacturing Company was the prime contractor--later sub-contracting to Hawley Products Company. The liner to be inserted into the steel M-1 helmet was to be of 2 parts: the body being a piece of rigid fiber form, impregnated with varnish or other water-repellent materials, cemented together with a thermoplastic or thermosetting material. Then, an olive drab gaberdine or twill was smoothly cemented over it. Not only was this for water protection, but was also a form of extra "protection" for the head--a kind of early "kevlar" construction. The inside of the fabric helmet liner would house the entire liner straps and head band, using rayon webbing, metal washers, leather reinforcing, and snaps. This specimen is in almost flawless condition--obviously not seeing active combat service given it's wonderful original and undamaged condition. No tears or repairs anywhere. All of the webbing, fasteners, chip-strap--you name it--it's all there and in extremely good condition. Even the outer thin helmet brim leather strap to attach to the steel M-1 helmet is solidly complete (these are usually overly frayed, worn, and/or torn all together). Not so with this one. It fits snugly into the steel M-1 helmet. Being known as a "Hawley" liner helmet in the collecting circle, this one is about the finest you could ever hope to have for your representative WWII collection (outside of an un-issued specimen!). Shows below are several pages from the excellent reference book "The M-1 Helmet" by Mark Reynosa. Heck, even General Smith is pictured wearing a "Hawley" liner helmet standing on Tarawa with Admiral Nimitz!

Even the National WW II Museum in New Orleans contacted me today to buy this one! When I say I have "Museum-Quality" pieces, I ain't just "Whistlin' Dixie!"

But sadly, it has already sold--I look forward to assisting them find other "museum-quality" pieces for their important archival and display efforts for our "Greatest Generation"...

For my astute militaria collectors of World War II items, I offer you a splendid example of this all-original, complete, and quite reasonable WWII German Luftwaffe M1940 helmet with decal and original intact liner. The M1940 helmet first appeared in March of 1940. These helmets are characterized by having rolled edges and stamped air vents that are embossed into the helmet itself. On the left hand side of the helmet is the Luftwaffe eagle decal. Decals on the M1940 are always second pattern variety. All helmets used by the Luftwaffe from 1937 to 1940 used the second pattern decals. The original chinstrap is marked “RB Nr0/0390/0204.” This nine digit code was used to protect the identity and location of the manufacturer from Allied attacks. The marking is known as the National Business Number (Reichsbetreibsnummer) or “RB Number.” In 1944, many manufacturers chose to omit the RB number in order to speed up production. This just shows that this helmet is an early war example since the “RB Number” is present on the inside of the chinstrap. The inside of the helmet is marked “Q64”--the “Q” represents that the helmet was made by the firm Quist. Helmets produced by Quist were favored by the German troops due to their thick metal and high craftsmanship. The “64” denotes the helmet size. “64” was the most common size produced during WWII for the German armed forces. The helmet itself is very solid and stable with the original paint. The decal is somewhat worn (as to be expected from "honest wear" from service and use), but is still very clear. The liner is showing the same "honest wear" to be expected, and is original to the helmet. No "monkey-business" and no worries here at Champion Hill Relics. This piece comes from my good friend and old relic hunting buddy, John Parker of Clarksville, Tennessee. He's selling some of his extensive WWII collection, and it's coming to the market now.

Achtung, Kamerad! These aren't getting any cheaper!

Sold

Click On Thumbnails Below For More Pictures

Siegfried Waffen E. Pacl & Sohne/Solingen" Maker-Marked Bayonet, M1940 Marked Scabbard

Simply gorgeous original presentation bayonet and scabbard, most elegantly engraved and inscribed for the service of this Soldat. It bears the maker's mark of "Siegfried Waffen E. Pack & Sohne--Solingen", and the inscription and detail is as vivid, crisp, and clear as the day it was made and presented to the soldier. Directly translated, it states, "In memory of my service in Infantry Regiment 3 German." The honed and polished blade is untouched from 1940, and there is no damage or cleaning to the piece since that time period. The scabbard is maker-marked (though so lightly I can't read it), and dated 1940. It also is untouched, in very good condition, and solid--no repairs or damage anywhere. It will make for an outstanding display piece to you now, just as it was a symbol of pride and honor to the German soldier who rendered his service to the Fatherland then...

For you WWII collector's, here are several original German WWII "Death" cards. These were published by the Catholic Church out of Germany for each soldier killed in action and given to family/relatives of the slain. These are very personal pieces of history, and a testimony of personal tragedy, regardless of political affiliation. These were someone's sons, brothers, fathers, and/or husbands. If you'd like me to translate more info, let me know and I'll try--I studied German, but I'm no translator!