WWII

Two Pieces from the World's Greatest Cataclysm

Two Archetypical NSDAP "Nazi" Armbands

Feeling a little "fascist" these days, watching our economy and government and the world???  Well...all joking aside, there is NO JOKE about the greatest time period of events swirling around the most cataclysmic years wrought upon the WORLD due to the rise of the National Socialist German Workers' Party (in German, "Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei" or "NSDAP" abbreviated--and just "Nazi" to Westerner's) formed in the mind of a disgruntled WWI Corporal and failed artist in Vienna--Adolf Hitler.  His very FIRM "vision", combined with the horrific handling of Germany with the Versie Treaty by the Europeans (US President Wilson WARNED against such HARSH reparations and the FUTURE REPERCUSSIONS--which history proved he was RIGHT) and then the Great Depression, made the "unthinkable" come into reality.  It's easy for us now in 20/20 hindsight to wonder WHY/HOW did the German people "fall for this"?  But I have studied the history (Weimar Republic, WWII, And German from High School and College classes), and like our "War Between the States"...today's "politically-correct" answers and views are WARPED, because you must put YOURSELF into THEIR "SHOES"--their times, their daily existence and lives.  Regardless, the end of this party--it's rise, it's dominance, it's world-wide effect of dragging it into an abyss of death, evil, and destruction can not be disputed.

That is why it is so important NOT to look upon such items as an "abomination"--sure, some of the actions and events WERE abominations, but as the old wise saying goes (and they are "old wise saying" for GOOD REASON), "If you ignore your past/history, you are bound to REPEAT IT." 

Offered here are two original, classic, archetypical specimens made and worn by MILLIONS of Germans and other peoples in other nations that BELIEVED in the "Nazi" party and vision....to the DEATH.  Being consigned pieces out of my great friend in Louisiana's personal collection, they are two nice representative Nazi armbands.  The one pictured on top is 4 and 5/8's inches wide by 14 and 6/8's inches in diameter.  The stitching is INTACT everywhere,  and bears the usual minor mothing.  NO TEARS and NO REPAIRS.  The lower pictured specimen is 3 and 7/8's inches wide by 16" in diameter, having an embroidered Swastika, all-intact stitching and material, and less wear/mothing than the top pictured specimen.

NO historical collector or HISTORIAN should be without one (or two!) of these.  The mere sight of them speaks VOLUMES of history in a VERY LOUD, VOLUMOUS voice.

$75 a piece   OR    $140 for both  Sale Pending

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Rommel's Afrika Korps Original Belt

US Vet "Souvenir" From the Tunisia final German Defeat

It's not about the "politics", the evils and horrific deeds of Hitler and the Third Reich--this is about the stalwart MEN of Germany who answered their country's call, as any patriotic and loyal people have done for any war from any country.  And for the Afrika Korps--coming to the rescue of the pathetic Italian forces--they would become LEGEND through their bravery, ferocity, and tenacity to win victory after victory under the most revered Field Army Generals of all history--Erwin Rommel.  "The Desert Fox" would pull-off overwhelming victories in spite of his enemy's overwhelming supplies, men, artillery, and tanks, thanks to his incredible command and tactical/strategic tactics---and the LOYALTY of HIS MEN of the famed "Afrika Korps".  It would only be the ill-health of Rommel, the cut-off supply lines in the Mediterranean, and the final Allied (the US's first "fighting" in the Euro theater) that spelled the doomed of the once invincible Afrika Korps.

This all-original and complete specimen, with faded maker/size markings, and the leather-reinforcements, is a SPECTACULAR specimen.  Taken from the surrendered/captured supply depot/port (they had plenty of uniform equipage--just not enough MEN, AMMUNITION, 88's and Panzers to issue men to man these missing weapons of war--as a "war trophy" by a GI,  This OBVIOUSLY explains the condition, being SOOOO GOOOOOD--it didn't come off some half-starved German soldat who fought through Tobruk or El Alemein.  This is your chance an extraordinary piece of a PROUD heritage of history.

$398 

Click Below to SEE and HEAR the PRIDE of the Afrika Korps

Marching Song of the Afrika Korps

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Exceptional Condition German Wehrmacht "Battleflag"

VIVID Maker's-Marking and Detail, 80cm X 135cm (31.5" X 53), INTACT Tie-Strap and Loop Holes!!!

Splendid German WWII Army Dagger & Scabbard

100% Untouched Original BEAUTY!

NO DAMAGE--NO REPAIRS--PERFECT BLADE!

I wouldn't call it "mint", for it clearly has been issued and worn, but WOW!  It sure has survived MAGNIFICENTLY!  Not a CHIP or damage to the handle, and the blade finish is AS GOOD AS THE DAY IT WAS MADE!!!  The Eagle and Swastika motif stand-out CRISPLY with the darkened highlighting, and again, NO DAMAGE or NICKS to it!  It's the standard full-length Army (Heer's) Dagger, with blade measurement of 10" long, and total length of 15" long.  All of the "oak leaf" motifs around the pommel cap and ferrule, as well as the GOLD-PLATED scabbard rings, are FANTASTIC!  It even has the ORIGINAL AND INTACT throat leather washer!  And the pommel cap unscrews with ease, and is a snug fit!  Not a SINGLE SPOT of oxidation or blemish on the UNTOUCHED and UNCLEANED blade.  No maker's-marking on the blade, but judging from the quality (and known fact that Solingen and their sub-contractors made the overwhelming majority of Nazi blades), it's surely a Solingen sub-contractor made specimen.  Uncleaned and untouched, this most splendid representative example of the Wehrmacht's Army dagger is PERFECT for ANY WWII collector...especially at this price!

$498  Layaway

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Excellent ID'ed "War Trophy" Nazi Flag

Taken by Lt. A. Levitt, 4th BTTN, 3rd Infantry Regiment, in Burholles, Germany

Great Flag with NO MOTHING, GREAT COLOR, NO FRAYING, Measuring 31" by 56"

Here's a GREAT "war trophy" classic!  But not only do you get this BEAUTIFUL original 31" by 56" German Nazi flag, but you've got the Officer's full provenance that it was taken by, "Lt. A. Levitt, 4 Bn  3rd Inf Regt  Burholles".  A GREAT little history research for someone to do regarding who he was, and how he ended-up in that town in Germany to take this flag!  The flag itself is gorgeous, having NO FRAYING, and NO MOTHING!!!  The ends are rather unique in that they are leather triangle-shaped reinforced ends with brass grommets for tying.  Only minor staining to be found anywhere--but as you can see in the pics below, she is truly BEAUTIFUL!  No damage to the fabric--no repairs--and NO NEED for any!  Only the most minor wear or blemish to be found--and expected, given it being a Nazi WWII relic!  But she's far prettier than most I see out there...and most DON'T have the historical provenance!

History, beauty, and the US Officer's provenance...."it's a keeper!"

$250  Sale Pending

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MASSIVE 6' by 11' LONG German WWII Battleflag

The LARGEST Specimen I've ever SEEN!

This Size Wehrmacht "Battleflag" Flown ONLY over Military Bases, Headquarters, Installations, etc.

Brought Home as "War Trophy" (with that GOLD-PLATED and FACTORY-ENGRAVED Mauser Pistol I had) from a US 101st Airborne Vet

ACHTUNG!  This one is SO LARGE that there was NO WAY I could possibly get a FULL-ON picture of it....short of hanging off of my house!  And I didn't think that was a "Kosher" idea!  So you get "get the picture" by the pics I could take!  It's your classic "imperial" as some say, but archetypical German WWII Armed Forces "Battleflag" that was used strictly by combat forces.  Given the massivity of THIS GIANT 6-foot WIDE by 11-feet LONG battleflag, these were ONLY flown over large military bases, headquarters, installations, warships, airfields, etc.  Coming with the "war trophies" that the son said his father--a 101st Airborne WWII vet--this is one BEAUTIFUL BATTLEFLAG!  Indeed, it has some fraying at the edges where the flag rope wore at it, but there is virtually NO MOTHING, the ends are still PERFECTLY intact, EXCELLENT and VIVID color and detail from the lined "Balken cruz" style that this battleflag is, with the Iron Cross and Swastika.  The size in cm is still legible from the German manufacturer.

BIGGER IS BETTER!  And I bet you won't find one AS BIG, let alone BIGGER for sale out there!  And not at this price!

$798  Sale Pending

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Beautiful WWII German Administration Officer Visor

NO MOTHING, Legible Maker-Markings, Intact

Inner Maker's Diamond Marking is that of "Specialhaus Globus ges.gesch."

Offered here for consignment sale by my good friend out of his collection is a BEAUTIFUL example of a German Administration Officer Visor, being 100% ORIGINAL and INTACT, with NO MOTHING, VERY LITTLE wear or fraying anywhere.  Only one small area of slight discolored staining on the top of the visor, and one small area where the stitching of the sweat-band is loose--but you true, hardcore collectors KNOW how to get that stain out and fix that stitching with EASE!  But I and the consignor leave that up to you.  The sweatband reads " 'Erel' Stirnschutz" VIVIDLY CLEAR and LEGIBLE, overtop of other abbreviations.  the archetypical large "diamond" maker's marking inside the visor does have the plastic cover intact (which they USUALLY ARE LONG GONE!) and you can still legibly read the maker's marking of "Specialhaus Globus ges.gesch". 

Just a CLASSIC, ORIGINAL, and COMPLETE German WWII Administration Officer's visor that you WILL NOT be ashamed to display!

$698

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GORGEOUS & HISTORIC 4th Armored Division/Patton's 3rd Army Corporal's "Ike" Tunic

Complete with ALL Pins (those 4th Div. pins are SCARCE and HIGHLY DESIRABLE) and Ribbon Bars, Including His Purple Heart Award!

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GREAT German K98 WWII Bayonet & Scabbard

Has /Soldier's Inscription Upon Taking as a "War Trophy"

On Handle Spine is Inscribed "Captured by Staff Sgt. Bill Myers RA 111H816  HQ CO 3BN 232 INF 42 Rainbow Div"

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Extraordinary Original Rear Wheel Hub, Bullet-Struck, From Wreckage of German Luftwaffe Ju 52 Transport Plane

Shot Down By The Russians Near The Grobina Airfield (Luftwaffe Airfield) in Early 1945, Liepaja, Latvia

Here's one big, cool piece of World War II history--and only a few dollars per square inch in price!  This is the rear wheel rim from a German Luftwaffe Junkers Ju 52 3-engine transport place that was recovered from the wreckage impact site of the downed plane several years after the war.  What is so great is to see that Russian machinegun bullet hole going right through the thick metal of the rim...no question about this one being shot-down!  The wheel rim itself measures 16.5" in diameter, by 6" wide.  The two original German manufacturing metal tags are still attached on both sides.  Liepaja, Latvia was a critical German naval base, and thus airbase location for the Eastern Front Wehrmacht armies and naval presence.  The Grobina airfield became even more substantial in it's late-war role of supplying the ever-encircled and embattled shrinking German armies, as the Russian onslaught pushed them back upon the borders of the Fatherland.  The Ju 52 German transport plane was actually an engineering marvel of design, quality, and reliability, made well before the war by famous aircraft designer and manufacturer Junkers, starting in 1932.  It was affectionately nicknamed "Tante Ju" ("Autie Ju") and especially "Iron Annie" as this workhorse 3-motor transport plane was so reliable and dependable.  It would take a lot to bring her down.  Unfortunately, the pilots from this "Iron Annie" met a terrible fate in early 1945, as her wheel rim helps attest to.  Really unique and cool piece of WWII history--a lot of history for the price...

Only $450...The ALUMINUM is WORTH THAT!

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Consignor Says to CUT THE PRICE by $100 !

SWEET Infantry NCO/Enlistedman's German WWII Visor

100% Original, Untouched, Complete, Undamaged, Un-Repaired, and NO MOTH HOLES and NO STAINS!

Though commonly deemed as an "NCO" Infantry visor, there is no CONCRETE proof to 100% pinpoint that these were only for NCO's--though so many specimens came from NCO's (and most Wehrmacht soldiers attained NCO ranking pretty fast, thanks to the HIGH attrition rates, and by the last year of war, these weren't being handed-out like "candy" to PRIVATES--Privates who were being shoved as fast through combat training, and more concerned about getting them properly equipped for COMBAT, not parades.)  And despite the GORGEOUS appearance and condition of this specimen, it shows clear usage and wear, so again--my bet it was an early-war issue specimen and truly worn by an NCO before it came to the end of its usage and service.  The white infantry branch piping is spectacular--equally so is the Eagle and the Oakleaves emblems.  The chinstrap is UNBROKEN and STILL FUNCTIONAL...and still VERY BEAUTIFUL!  The color of the visor shows virtually no fading, NO staining, and NO MOTHING WHATSOEVER!!!  Despite the front's classic German visor "high-hump" design showing it was well worn, both the exterior and interior are in fantastic condition!!!  The inside maker's diamond is long-gone, of course--again, MORE EVIDENCE that this was an early-issued specimen, and through use, wore-off or the soldat took it off.  You can easily see the classic German sizing mark of "56 1/2" inside the diamond.  ALL of the sweatband and inner-lining is 100% INTACT and COMPLETE!!!

Classic Infantryman's/NCO Visor for the "Common Soldier" of the mighty Wehrmacht.  And despite it's clear usage and "veteran" look to it, it is SUCH WONDERFUL CONDITION ALL AROUND!

Now Only  $498  Sale Pending

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ICONIC WWII British Mk I Model Light Machine Gun

100% AUTHENTIC PARTS & PIECES COMPLETE

(Except for the Alterations Made to meet ALL Federal Requirements as a NON-OPERABLE, "DISPLAY" Piece)

100% LEGAL--"DE-Mil'ed"/"DE-Wad" (See Descriptions of Alterations Performed to meet ALL Federal Regulations)

1941-Dated, With PLETHORA of Production Markings, & British MARTIAL PROOFS... PROVING that THIS BABY was ISSUED and SAW ACTION!!!

And here SHE IS!  THE British ICONIC Bren "Mark I" Light Machine Gun--THE "work-horse" squad light machine gun (much like our US BAR).  Again, 100% ORIGINAL, COMPLETE, UN-DAMAGED, UN-REPAIRED, just like the MP40, excepting for the legalizing alterations.  1941 dated, multiple production markings/numbers, and the CLASSIC British MARTIAL PROOFS on the side of the barrel/frame.  The ONLY non-original parts/alterations were the ones performed to 100% MEET ALL FEDERAL REGULATIONS to render this DISPLAY PIECE 100% LEGAL, but cutting the breech off (by about 3/4"), filled breech with steel, forever placing a MODERN, SOLID-BLOCK, CNC precision-machines bolt/carrier internal system that is IMMOVABLE, and this piece can NEVER in any way BE ALTERED to fire any form of ammunition.  A beautiful patina was placed upon the bolt/carrier system to match PERFECTLY with the rest of this beauty...SHE IS READY FOR DISPLAY!

Worth EVERY PENNY of the price!

Sale Pending/Layaway

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THE Iconic German WWII MP 40 "Schmeiser"

The Wehrmacht Sub-Machinegun that was Truly Revolutionary in Design (Typical German Engineering!)

ALL ORIGINAL Excepting for the Federally-Required Alterations to Render This Piece 100% Inoperable to Operate or Fire EVER AGAIN (read below)

HERE SHE IS!!! THE "ICONIC" German Wehrmacht MP-40 "Schmeiser" (though, as you probably already know, was NEVER DESIGNED by Schmeiser---only was a sub-contractor!  As the Allies captured AND USED many of these, since they were such a superior weapon, they often saw the "Schmeiser" maker's marking on the magazines, and then the nickname just "stuck" ever since.)  This weapon is ALL-ORIGINAL in every form and facet EXCEPT for the US/FEDERAL legal alterations to render this NOT a "weapon" or "firearm" at all EVER capable of firing, or even being able to be altered to fire ammunition.  The breech of the barrel had the 1/2" cut completely away (which, if you know your semi-automatic weapons and MP40's, that 1/2" of the breech is cone-designed shaped to FEED the 9mm rounds from the magazine into the barrel--thus with it being completely CUT-OFF and FILLED with STEEL, the barrel can NEVER be used to fire ever again).  Also, the bolt/receiver is a modern, fixed CNC precisely-machined solid block, made to fit inside the bolt/receiver area, but again--is 100% SOLID and IMMOVABLE, thus meeting yet again the Federal regulations.  Other than that, the rest of the weapon is 100% ORIGINAL GERMAN-PRODUCED, BEAUTIFUL MP40! The usual  PLETHORA of the standard German manufacturing markings are clearly seen (waffen amps--the eagle/swastika markings--with production numbering), matching frame numbers of 5148J, 1942 production marked, and the Deutche manufacturing code of "bnz.", which according to the German MFG. Coding Manufacturing system, the "bnz" was the manufacturer's mark for the Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG, Steyr, Austria, facility which produced this weapon (and YES---the same DAIMLER of "DAIMLER-CHRYSLER" today!!!!  Daimler was then, and still today, a WORLD-FAMOUS manufacturer!

Cruise around the internet...and the VERY FEW you find for sale will be priced at $4000...$5000....and even $7000!!!

BUT NOT AT CHAMPION HILL RELICS!!!

$2998  SOLD!!!

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Ultra-Rare, Extremely Historic, German WWII Heer's (Army) or Technical Employee Badge/Pass to the FAMOUS German Armed Forces Experimental Laboratory, Design, and Testing Facility for Rocket Engineering, THE Peenemunde, Germany Complex!

Peenemunde's Massive Compound and Facilities led to the Creation of such Famous and Terrifying Weapons and Fighter-Craft as the Vengeance Weapon Rocket 1 "V1", the "Komet" Rocket Aircraft Interceptor, the He 176 Rocket-Propelled Aircraft, the Perfection of Rocket Engines and Liquid Oxygen as their Propellant, and the Design and Perfecting of their Night Navigation & Radar Systems 

I never in any way condone or approve of the horrific crimes against humanity--the barbarity and inhuman atrocities conjured and inflicted by the maniacal Fuhrer, Adolf Hitler and his "henchmen" and political system & apparatus.  However, I shall ALWAYS have the utmost respect and honor to the TRUE honorable, dutiful, and faithful soldier's of THEIR country, answering the call of the Fatherland, though misled by a tyrannical mad-man.  Every soldier and officer of the Wehrmacht did what any other soldier from any other country in any other war did--serve, sacrifice, and protect their homes, their people, their country (especially towards the end of the war, and especially against the Bolshevik hordes, which committed FAR WORSE atrocities and death, rape, plunder, and after the war, create a world for over 45 years on the BRINK of nuclear destruction and dictatorship over conquered lands, more than Germany ever did!)

Even more so, no one can deny the German scientific and engineering wonders and breakthroughs in all areas, as they employed them in their war efforts.  Whether from the finest tank designs, artillery (the famous "88"), warfare strategy ("Blitzkrieg"), the first "assault rifle" (MG44), down to the first operational combat jet AND ROCKET aircraft and ballistic missiles.  Their advancement in so many scientific and engineering areas were the envy of the world, and so fervently sought-after and utilized by the Allies of the West, as equally as the new Communist Russian Empire to the East. 

And of all the most advanced scientific German laboratories, testing/proving grounds, and research centers, anyone who knows ANYTHING about Germany and WWII KNOWS what "Peenemunde" was!  It was the official German Army Research facility created in 1939, and was on the frontier of rocketry design, engineering, and actual operational deployment.  Whether the design and creation of rocket-propelled (with liquid oxygen) fighter/aircraft-interceptors like the "Komet" or He 176, to the ultimate "V1" ("Vengeance Weapon #1)--that the allies studied the cost, material usage, production time and complications, with the amount of deadly effect, and compared them to "conventional" aircraft bombing, to officially conclude the the V1 was SUPERIOR, given it's cheaper, easier, and more deadly per cost, production, and use than conventional bombing.  The later V2 ballistic missile would indeed the the FATHER of precision-guided intercontinental missiles that still are being improved and utilized to the greatest and deadliest threat today--still looming with the ability to blow the planet up many times over.

Offered for sale here is an authentic German worker/scientist/employee's badge/pass.  This was NOT given to some "slave-laborer" (so many Jews, Slavs, Poles, Russians and other "untermenschen" were employed for the mass-production and other many menial tasks).  This was a true official German employee or officer, engineer, or specialist worker at the facility as his badge/pass.  Numbered "040", there MAY be records within Germany that still exist that MAY TELL WHO was assigned badge # 040!  100% original, intact, in EXCELLENT condition, and bearing the German maker's mark of "DESCHLERSOHN" on the bad with the intact clip, this is a MOST UNIQUE and certainly MOST RARE piece of that INCREDIBLE HISTORY of science, rocketry, and engineering of the German "war machine" and industry of WWII.  I have a picture of it next to an 1890 US "Liberty Head" coin for size reference.

Not going to be seeing many of these, my friends!  I've attached some KILLER historical info about Peenemunde, 1943 aerial photo's by the British, and the "war machines" designed and used from the famous German center!

$350  SOLD!!!!

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GREAT Dug German SS Helmet, M35/40, Double-Decal, ID'ed Exclusively to the Wiking SS Panzer Division

From Their Battlefront at the Battle of Radzymin/Wolomin (Warsaw, Poland, Across the Vistula River) From August 1, 1944 Through August 10, 1944

Recent Battlefield Dug Specimen on the Wolomin Battlefield

 SS Runes Double-Decal Remnants on M35/40 Helmet

Spectacular battlefield-dug SS helmet (thanks to our "Latvian Connection" of WWII relic hunters--they are having a "field day" digging over there!), being a beautiful and solid example of not only an SS M35/40 helmet, but with GRACIOUS REMNANT of the RARE German/SS "Apple" Camouflage remaining and vividly clear on the helmet!  The visible SS runes decal is clearly visible, albeit feint from the ground action of being in the ground for over 60 year.  It is also a DOUBLE decal M35/40 SS helmet, but the other side's decal is almost completely obliterated by the ground-action.  The OTHER KILLER FACET (other than being a battlefield-dug SS helmet) is that our Latvian boys retrieved it from the Wiking SS battlefront for the strategic fighting during the battle of Radzymin, just east of Warsaw, Poland and the Vistula River in early August of 1944.  The only SS men in the fight were the 5th SS Wiking Panzer Division, so it makes identification quite easy!  The historic battle within this 10-day fight would climax as the largest tank battle to ever be fought within Poland, and known as the Battle of Wolomin.  There is the clear indication of where the wearer suffered what appears to have been CONCUSSION SHOCK from exploding artillery/bombing, or possible very slight flak/fragment hit (though the flak/fragment hit would have to have been far away, and have hit his helmet at a very low velocity/force), because of the slight stress-fracturing found in one part of the top of the helmet.  Being a Quality Assurance Engineer for a Steel Foundry, and later QA Manager for an automotive supplier, I am WELL EDUCATED in understanding the structural stresses on all metals, the affects of forces applied to metals ("Newton's" of force, to be precise, using Physics), tensile-strengths and testing, Metallurgy in general,  and given that the stress fracturing shows NO SIGNS WHATSOEVER of being recent (by the ground-action/aging) it appears to be 100% slightly fractured at the time of the battle, and no "farmer's plow" from the field--or weight of any farm animal grazing over it!--could have caused this.  A plow would have cause FAR GREATER fracturing, and scraped, scratched, or otherwise done BAD DAMAGE to this helmet, instead of this slight, "spiderweb-like" minor fracturing.

$398  SOLD

Iconic SS/Wiking Divisional Recruiting Posters below, and Pics (above) of the Viking Division Fighting During the Radzymin/Wolomin Battles

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Battle map of Radzymin/Wolomin

Beautiful, Original WWII German Pioneer's Officer Visor

NO MOTHING, Legible Maker-Markings, Intact

Sweatband Reads "Erel Stirnschutz" over other Abbreviations, and Inner Maker's Diamond Marking is that of "OFFIZIER/KLEIDERKASSE/BERLIN" with "EXTRA" and Inner Diamond Marker's Mark

If there was ONE BRANCH OF SERVICE that I learned by INTENSE READING of FIRST-HAND German WWII soldier and officer accounts over many years...THE branch of service that I become to regard as the most INDISPENSIBLE to the success, and usually SURVIVAL on their many do-or-die defenses and retreats (especially ahead of the Bolshevik hordes), it was the German Pioneers.  They were demolitionists, bridge-builders, road-makers, runway makers, and literally forced into performing every task NEEDED for the "good days" of success in Blitzkrieg...but most importantly in the "bad days", as the German soldiers called them after the war.  AND they would ALWAYS FIGHT when the desperate need arose--and toward the end, THAT NEED WAS CONSTANT!  Yeah, SS and Panzer Visor's are cool and all--don't get me wrong.  But do NOT overlook the HISTORICAL REALITY of just how important the German Wehrmacht Pioneers were!

Offered here for sale by my good friend out of his collection is a BEAUTIFUL example of a German Pioneer's Officer Visor, being 100% ORIGINAL and INTACT, with NO MOTHING, VERY LITTLE wear or fraying anywhere.  Only one small area of slight discolored staining on the top of the visor--but you true, hardcore collectors KNOW how to get that stain out with EASE!  But I and the consignor leave that up to you.  The sweatband reads " 'Erel' Stirnschutz" VIVIDLY CLEAR and LEGIBLE, overtop of other abbreviations.  the archetypical large "diamond" maker's marking inside the visor doesn't have the plastic anymore (as usual) but you can still legibly read the "OFFICIER/KLEIDERKASSE/BERLIN" with the "EXTRA", all in gold gilted embossing.  There is also an inner maker's diamond marking, as well.

Just a CLASSIC, ORIGINAL, and COMPLETE German WWII Pioneer Officer's visor that you WILL NOT be ashamed to display!

$798  SOLD

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Sweet PRE-RZM, SA Nazi Dagger w/Scabbard & Hanger

FINE Example of an Early (pre-RZM) Dagger Worn by one of Hitler's/Nazi Party "SA" troops

Rare "Waffenhammer" made specimen in FINE condition

2nd only to the Civil War, my fascination and study--from college courses and personal research, reading, collecting, etc.--of the rise and fall of Hitler and the Third Reich has made me rather knowledgeable in the history of the Weimar Republic (post-WWI), through the rise of the unassuming little Corporal and struggling artist from Austria, and his dominion over much of the world at its zenith.  Then, of course...the downfall.  And like all true WWII or Civil War Confederate collectors--we're NOT condoning or honoring the "evils" or "wrongs" of the governments or certain groups did.  Far from it.  We find the history of the common soldier or civilian amazing, for any wise man knows...if you were born in Germany around 1920...YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN A GOOD NAZI because you would have experienced the political and economic chaos that the Allies inflicted with their harshly-punitive WWI surrender terms (that even our US President Wilson WARNED it would cause what DID happen to Germany after WWI), and then the world-wide Great Depression, the HUMILIATION rendered unto a once proud German nation saw the actions of the NSDAP ("Nazi") Party, and its awe-inspiring, mesmerizing leader--Adolf Hitler--come to power....and do GOOD THINGS for Germany.  Before the invasion of Poland, Hitler had accomplished in bringing the German people OUT of a nationwide depression into a booming and thriving economy of employment (even if through government works, military service, re-armament industry, etc).  As many noted world historians have said, "If Hitler had died--for whatever reason--in 1938, he would have gone down as one of greatest political world leaders of the 20th century, let alone Germany, for his remarkable turn-around and re-birth of Germany...".  But he didn't die.  Neither did his forebodings in "Mein Kampf".  The only thing that did "die" after 1938 were almost an entire world at war against he and his country--almost an entire religious/race of people (as well as so many other "Untermenchen"..."sub-humans"...), until Hitler finally did leave this world in April of 1945.

Since then, true historians and collectors are fascinated by the Third Reich and the horrific history.  So it is not out of "glorification" that such pieces of that past entice us...it's just incredible to HOLD a PIECE of that PAST...in your very hands!

Offered here is an early, PRE-RZM dagger for the SA (Hitler's personal "army of thugs"...or the "brown shirts"--SA standing for "Sturmabtielung" as Hitler officially designated them.  And the significance as to being "pre-RZM" in production, the Reichszugmeisterei (RZM) would become the official German state authority to inspect ALL the equipment produced for the SA after 1935 (and later, still for the SS and other German military combat/special police units).  Thus, pre-RZM specimens are NOT that common to find!  Especially in this condition!  It is 100% original, undamaged, and complete, even with the leather belt-hanger attachment!  The German Nazi Eagle and SA symbols are inlayed beautifully in the original grip--which is stunningly GORGEOUS.  The acid-etched "Alles fur Deutchland" motto of the SA is as clear and beautiful today as the day it was made.  As well, so is the "WAFFENHAMMER/DEGGENDORF double oval maker-marks.  Since Waffenhammer's name and logo would be replaced by an RZM mark after 1935, his production specimens made before 1935 are rarer to find.  The blade is undamaged and uncleaned and unsharpened (well...at least not since WWII!)  The original scabbard retains at least 80% of the original brown paint, and all metal surfaces on the dagger, sheath, and hanger are all still in the original "bright" finish.  Just BEAUTIFUL.

A great, early, and RARE piece of that time...

SOLD

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Rarer/Desirable "Dragon's Teeth" WWI Trench Knife

100% Original, Untouched, Complete

Crisp Maker's-Markings on Knife of "A.C. CO. U.S.A. 1917", and Faint Sheath Maker's-Mark "JEWELL 1918"

Referred to by collector's (and originally by the "Doughboys" themselves) as the "Dragon's Teeth" trench fighting knife, this is the scarcer and highly collectable version of the "common" trench knife employed by our American forces slugging it out in France and Belgium during WWI.  The piece is 100% original, intact, un-damaged, un-repaired, and complete from top to bottom, from blade, scabbard tip, to every "Dragon's Tooth"!  The CRISP maker's-marking of the knife is perfectly seen on the underside of the "Dragon's Teeth", bearing "A.C. CO. U.S.A. 1917".  The green-painted intact scabbard bears the faint "JEWELL 1918" maker's-marking.  Untouched, and in FINE condition, this "dragon" is as menacing and lethal today as the day it was made...I call that A BONUS!!!

SOLD

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PUBLISHED & ID'ed Waffen SS NCO's visor

ID stenciled inside to "O. Demmer," and published in the reference book "Headgear of Hitler's Germany" Volume 2. 

From the World-Renown German WWII Collection of Dr. Bill White

Whether it's "whistling Dixie", or singing "Erika", Champion Hill Relics ALWAYS provides you with the BEST of the BEST!!!  This piece is in excellent condition, exhibiting no worn or mothed areas at all, but shows the good facets of "honest wear" that is so appealing to the astute collector, such as sweat stains, a couple of service dings on the bill and visor, right-handed thumb wear under the visor bill, etc.  Clearly, this was an issued/field-used piece (not something found in a stockpile of some depot), and in the summer (sweat stains).  Everything is 100% authentic and original to the piece.  The piping is the cavalry "gelb" (gold), indicating a motorized/armored cavalry, such as for armored reconnaissance soldaten or even Panzergrenadiers.  The visor itself is a typical issue SS construction and make, with an unmarked sweatshield with yellowish gold artificial silk lining, the interior being heavily padded (probably a tailor-made addition), the hat material of "Feld Grau" (Field Grey) twill gabardine and the hat band of standard black badge cloth.  The leather chinstrap is typical SS issue type (center split-ring) that is SS/RZM (Reich's Zug Ministry) marked on the reverse of the leather.  The insignia (eagle and skull) are classic silver plated brass.

This visored cap was previously owned by Steve Kerby, and was published on page 17 of the reference book "Headgear of Hitler's Germany" Volume 2, written by Jill Halcomb, Wilhelm P.B.R. Saris with Otto Spronk. 

A search into the SS soldier's identity (O. Demmer in the SS) from the Bundes Records came back to an Otto Demmer, a Scharfuhrer (Sergeant) in the infamous 3rd SS "Totenkopf" Division.  This elite division of the Waffen SS fought exclusively in the Eastern Front fighting during the war against "Ivan" and his Bolshevik horde.  They gained organization as a Division in October 1939, becoming a Panzergrendier Division in '43, and finally to a Panzer Division by '44.  Scharfuhrer Otto Demmer's Division saw all of the bloodiest fighting imaginable on the steppes of Mother Russia.  I have not yet requested and paid for a complete service record of Otto Demmer from the Bundes Records of the German Government--that I leave up to you.  If I do decide to keep this piece for my own, I know that I will await the months of processing to have it done.

This is the "Best of the Best"--a fully ID'ed Waffen SS NCO visor, 100% original and authentic, in excellent condition, and has been published.  Accompanying this visor are the 3 different letters from the last 3 previous owners--verifying it's line of ownership and authenticity.  I will be happy to provide a fourth letter (with the other 3) to you, to keep its ownership pedigree going.  The last owner from which I purchased from is my good friend, Dr. Billy V. White, Dir. of Public Safety for the State of Mississippi (you WWII dealers and collectors may well know of him).  He has been collecting German artifacts for over 25 years.

What could be better?  How about the price--well below retail and appraisal.  Good luck finding one (ID'ed, published, great condition, ownership history) under $3500!

Feel free to request more, larger, and higher resolution pictures.

$2850 SOLD

Sweet & Complete!  WWI US Trench Fighting Knife

Maker-Marked Knife "L.F. & Co   US  1917"

Original Scabbard also Maker-Marked "JEWELL 1918"

100% Intact, Undamaged, Original, and "KILLER"

World War I was--up until that time--indeed THE "war to end all war's", as the horrific bloodshed, introduction of truly modern and revolutionary weapons (true "machine guns"), massive artillery pieces, AIRPLANES....TANKS....POISON GAS...all combined with the nightmarish hell of "trench warfare", led the world to believe that this would be THE WAR to "end all other wars".  But despite it's carnage...the terrible political mishandling of the German surrender planted the seed in a young German Corporal in the WWI Wehrmacht that would slowly grow and blossom into what would be the REAL WAR of WAR'S just a couple decades later.  Corporal and Iron Cross-awarded courier, Adolf Hitler, would NOT be alone in the humiliation of the terribly unfair and harshly-punitive terms with which Germany and her pride would simmer and burn for revenge and renewed pride...one which even US President Wilson strongly warned against.  Too bad the western European powers didn't listen.

But out of the carnage--once the US finally came into the war in full force in 1917 to break the stale-mate that the war had grinded into after the early successes of the Germans at the outbreak in 1914--came such weapons of necessity as this US-made and issued "Trench" fighting knife.  Much like the "Bowie Knife" and "Arkansas toothpick" their father's carried in the Civil War, the trench fighting knife what a MEAN piece of steel!  Having it's own "D-GUARD", solid and hard, and stippled with "spike"-like points, this could knock the lights out of any German, if he didn't stab him first!  our "Doughboys" carried these into battle, and indeed, DID use them in actual combat.  This particular specimen is in GREAT, untouched, un-damaged, fine condition, both the knife and the original scabbard.  Both bear clear maker-markings and dates.  The leather scabbard stitching is intact, as is the bottom scabbard tip and top throat with attachment hooks. 

A "killer" and MEAN looking piece of that bloody history...and would come just as handy today as in 1917!!!  I call that a "BONUS"!

SOLD

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The Last Remaining WWII Uniform, Equipment, Manuals, Gear, Pictures, Souvenirs, Medals, Etc, of BRONZE STAR-Winner 1st Lt. Paul Edward Choate, Serial Number O-441686, Cavalry XO, 8th Recon. Troop, 8th Infantry Division, Patton's 3rd Army in the ETO

Included are ALL the Notarized Documentation from his Only Son, Lee Choate (of Nashville, TN), REAMS of Historical Documentation (including Lt. Choate's map showing everywhere he went during his time in the ETO)

Literally, this is EVERYTHING left from his Father's collection, ranging from captured German bayonet, Hitlerjugend Knife, captured uniform insignia, beer coasters from the Biergartens he drank at, Post Cards from the Places he was in, German medals, stamps, His US Soft-Cap, rank and insignia bars and ribbons, his Recon Dust Goggles, a .50 cal. round from the .50 Cal he manned in his Recon Jeep, a 48-star flag made by German Civilians in the town they stayed by in April, 1945, presented to his unit for helping feed and take care of them, ration book from home, playing cards, German field cleaning kit, pictures of Lt. Choate by Captured German trucks, fighter and transport planes...AND MORE!!!

This could take me a VERY LONG TIME to explain here, my friends!  Of course, you have noticed in the past, the consignment offerings from Lee Choate (Citadel Cadet graduate, himself) and his father, 1st Lt. Paul Edward Choate's (bronze-star winner) recon officer's items.  This here is ALL that is left!!!  And there is literally just TOO MUCH to describe!  I've even got a box FULL of ALL his Army manuals!  I've taken pictures of all the really cool stuff--especially the flag made by local German civilians in April, 1945...presented to his unit for the help/food with the poor, defeated locals (AND you can read Lt. Choate's LETTER talking about getting the flag--SEE BELOW!!!)  All comes with Lee Choate's 2008 original notarized letter of ownership, authenticity, releasing me to consign the pieces, explanation of his father's service, etc.  And with all this are copies of so many of Lt. Choate's wartime documents, such as orders pertaining to the infamous Bulge German trick of "Germans in American Uniforms", describing how to handle, interrogate, etc (SEE BELOW!), other "SECRET" stamped documents, and MUCH MORE!  You'll literally have to look at ALL THE PICTURES...read ALL THE PAPERS pictured below....it's just too much to describe here.  What's most sad is that Lee Choate--my dear friend of so many years--finally succumbed to his cancer this past July.  I am only thankful that the YEARS of permanent back injury pain, then cancer suffering has now ended for him.  I'll miss having him in the seat next to me on Sunday mornings at the Nashville/Franklin Show.  He had to wife or children to leave this to, and all other family members "didn't give a SH*T" as Lee explained to me.  He only had to sell the items for covering his increasing medical expenses.  He did specifically only want me to have the items if he should suddenly "pass"--and we talked a week and a half before he died.  He knew he was near the end.  And now sadly again--as much as I'd like to keep it--I've got medical bills of our own to pay for.  This collection TRULY and ASSUREDLY belongs with a SERIOUS WWII collector who will love, treasure, and appreciate it the WAY IT DESERVES....MOST REVERENTLY and HONORABLY.

PLEASE feel free to contact me regarding specificity of the items...it'll be a lot easier that way.  I know it's a LOT of stuff, and the future owner will need time to look over all the items--so take your time...authenticate anything...as ALWAYS here at Champion Hill Relics, AUTHENTICITY is GUARANTEED or your money BACK!  But I know--and the future owner will know--this stuff is 100% RIGHTEOUS!

SERIOUS BUYERS ONLY...PRICE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST!

SOLD

Click On Pictures Below For More Close-Ups of EVERYTHING!

Click Below For Close-Ups of the German Citizen-Made Flag Presented to Lt. Choate's Unit (for helping feed the local civilians in April, 1945)

Click Below For Mr. Lee Choate's Notarized Letter for Consignment, Authenticity, Father's History, etc....

Click Below For Lt. Paul Choate's Letter regarding The German Citizen's-Made American Flag

Click Below To See Lt. Paul Choate's Wartime Documents, Souvenirs, History (map showing his movements in the ETO)

$250  Sale Pending

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Killer Double-Decal German Luftwaffe 17th Field Division Helmet w/Liner Remnants

Dug Within the Strategic Falaise Pocket of France

Where the Main Remaining Standing German Forces in France Opposing the Allied Advance Were Essentially Wiped-Out, Clearing the Way for Allied Forces Into Paris

Superb recently excavated example of a DOUBLE-DECAL Luftwaffe 17th Field Division helmet, WITH the liner/chin-strap hooks intact (obviously rusty from being in the ground!)  This is just another tragic relic of a piece of the most strategic part of the Allied invasion and break-out from the Normandy landings, as German Field Commander General Von Kluge was NOT permitted by Hitler to retreat an inch--but stand, yield no ground, and fight to the last round.  The result, of course, would be the predictable--and would do so both in the Eastern and Western Front as Hitler's ignorance and stubbornness clouded all sound military decisions and judgment.  The now rapidly reinforced Allied armies of American, Great Britain, Canada, and even Poland (and other nations) brought to bear all their air force superiority, and overwhelming might in manpower and armored/mobile equipment to quickly corner the Germans into a "pocket" around the region with the town of Falaise--which would forever after be known by historians as the "Falaise Pocket".  Within this pocket, the continual fighting, shelling, bombing, lack of supply getting to the Germans, and total chaos and confusion of an army in complete disarray was realized, as the last organized and sizeable German land armed forces in France were being--essentially--annihilated.  Tales by German survivors of the experience are hair-raising, to say the least.  And the French and Polish citizens and soldiers were as equally brutal against the Germans as the Germans had showed them in years prior.  Cohesion and organization quickly eroded, and just pockets and remnants of units would make "stands" to fight here and there, as they tried to make a mad-dash to get out of the steel jaws of the Allied trap of the packet...before it was shut completely.  This helmet is that of one of the German Luftwaffe 17th Field Division, which had been posted to guard the Atlanta Wall before D-Day, and obviously lost by a wayward soldier in the chaos and destruction of the "Falaise Pocket", that lasted from August 12th through the 24th.  The tri-color shield decal is still quite visible, and the Luftwaffe Eagle decal on the other side is visible--but just barely.  The helmet does appear to have been painted in camouflage, as the color differentiation is rather unique and given my share of having and seeing excavated specimens, I believe this to be no "optical illusion" from the minor oxidation in the ground--it appears as classic multi-colored frosted camo.  Solidly intact--so much so that the helmet liner and chip-strap loops are still present.

A fantastic piece of WWII history, in an operation that truly opened the gates of France and Paris to the Allies...lulling them into the belief that the war would be over by Christmas...but Hitler had one more trick up his sleeve...

$325  SOLD

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Excellent WWII US Officer ID'ed "War Trophies" Brought Back From Germany

All From Bronze Star Awarded Officer, 1st Lt. Paul E. Choate

Coming Straight on Consignment from His Son, Lee Choate, of Nashville, Tennessee

Offered here are the last remaining items that were brought back home by my good friend's father, 1st Lt. Paul E. Choate, Bronze Star awarded officer with Patton in the European Theater of Operations.  There are a myriad of large and small items, so I'll get right down to business explaining what's in the group: first and foremost, one notices the classic Nazi "Industrial/Worker's" swastika flag--the swastika inside of a gear--except Lt. Choate decided to cut-out the red bunting, and keep the geared swastika and all the beautiful silver braided edging.  And they kept the enormous flag-pole top--again, the geared swastika that was the top of the flag pole for this flag.  As well are several original photo's, taken of German houses where Lt. Choate wrote upon the back of them.  One of the pictures of the large estate Lt. Choate writes to explain how the barns in the back were secretly being used for making grenades!  And this house is obviously where he took this German manufacturing/industrial flag from!  There are a myriad of German Post cards, a 1943-dated German military issue "spork" (knife, fork, spoon) set, some EXCELLENT original pictures of Lt. Choate next to German Luftwaffe airplanes (one is clearly the tail of a fighter--probably an ME-109, the other larger, maybe a JU-88), an original nazi party arm-band, and the very large district flag patches "Drohlshagen" that were probably on the original industrial flag.  Pretty cool grouping...and the last of the last.  For some history and information regarding Lt. Choate, I give you the words from his son--my friend--Lee Choate:

"My father, 1st Lt. Paul E. Choate, was on French soil very shortly after D-Day, and they were in heavy fighting in towns and he said the hedgerow country was horrible.  They were a good bit ahead of the main forces and did a good bit of advanced open-field running & scouting in advance of Gen. Patton's famous open-field running.  Then, the Bulge, the Hurtgen Forest (which was hellacious, he said worse than Bulge and lasted all winter) and then going into Germany; and, most of the time, spearheading with his outfit's recon unit.  All this and he never got a purple heart.  He did get a Bronze Star, something that wasn't handed out in WWII as it has been in later conflicts.  He was in an armored car one time and I can't remember it it hit a mine or was hit by mortar, but it was blown to hell and he didn't get a scratch;  he went over to it and took his knife and dug shrapnel out of one of the tires and kept it as his Good Luck Piece; I guess it helped.  I have it today."

So much history...so many pieces of that history...and not for a lot of money...

$898  SOLD

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STUNNING, Minty-Condition, Ultra-Rare

WWII SS Panzer Soldat's Cigarette Copper Case

The Most EXCELLENTLY FINE Engraved SS Personal Soldier Item/Possession I have EVER SEEN!!!

KILLER SS Totenkopf Engraving, Iron Cross Medal of Valor Engraving w/"1943", and last--and certainly not least--THE Jaw-Dropping Engraving Of His Panzer!!!!

I will begin describing this piece with a warning--it ain't going to be "cheap"--and I don't give a damn if  it never sells.  I've had it a couple of weeks--debating whether (and why) I would sell such a stunning, most beautiful, most excellent "personal" soldier's item I've ever had the chance to own at a reasonable price--and to be an SS Panzer Officer or Tanker's extremely fine engraved piece at that--with SS Totenkopf, the Iron Cross of Valor being dated "1943", and his Panzer etched into the face...I'm speechless.  I love it.  How many of these kinds and quality personal soldier items does one get to own--this quality, rarity, and SS???  This piece was just sent from Estonia, so clearly from one of the many SS Panzer Divisions fighting the nightmare of "blood red snow" as the soldier's nicknamed the countryside fighting on the Eastern Front against their most hated Bolshevik Soviet Union foe.  Even cooler still (for you WWII "anal" types like me), the tank appears to be an extremely rare variant, document in the most excellent reference book "Encyclopedia of German Tanks of WWII": it is either a Panzerkampfwagen ("Tank") type III with rare variant improvement turret cupola and 75mm main gun (see on page 59, plate 181), or an early transitional  Panzerkampfwagen IV.  KILLER!!!!  In perfect, uncleaned, untouched, ununbroken condition, with excellent copper patina, no damage, no repairs, and you can see the nicotine residue where the Panzer tanker had put his cigarettes on the case and left little "spots" of the nicotine!  It measures 4" wide, by 2.75" long, and .75" high.

Good Lord....if this one could just tell all the stories of heroism, hell, heat, cold, blood, sweat, frostbite, desperation, and death surrounding them everywhere all the time...and yet he had his beloved and most prized, fine cigarette case, where he could "smoke 'em if you got them" to relieve the pain, stress, and have a few minutes to take your mind away from the hell surrounding you--or better yet, help keep you awake on guard for the T-34's always wanting to hunt you down!

SOLD

Smoke 'em if you got 'em, boys!  Need a light, Kamerad?

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EXCELLENT Condition WWII German Wehrmacht Double Decal HELMET -- Still Visible Decals, and Vast Amounts of Original "Feld Grun" Paint!!!!

Recently Excavated in RADZYMIN near WARSAW POLAND

During the August 1944 Warsaw Blood-Bath Fighting

An outstanding recently-dug Wehrmacht double-decal helmet, found within the Radzymin battleground area, where German Panzer, SS, Hermann Göring, and other divisions tried to stem the flood assault by the Russians to take the strategic bridge over the Narew River--natural defensive barrier to keep the Russians back.  The helmet is still in amazingly beautiful, solid condition--obviously, if so much original "feld grun" ("field green") paint AND decals remaining visible!  The Eagle decal is so nicely visible, despite over 60+ years on the ground and enduring all the horrific fighting it went through.  The Wehrmacht tri-colored shirld is also seen, but ground action has made it feint.  Again, it is completely SOLID and STABLE--no damage at all, and no rust-through or weak points--this baby is TIGHT!

After the Russian reconnaissance units reached Warsaw in late July, on August 1, 1944 the Warsaw Uprising started. Starting from an area south of Minsk Mazowiecki, Lieutenant-General N. D. Vedeneev's 3rd Tank Corps (part of the Soviet Second Tank Army) thrust northwest through Okuniew and Wolomin to Radzymin, reaching an area only three miles (five kilometers) from the strategic bridge over the Narew River at Zegrze.In response to Vedeneev's thrust, the Germans started a tactical counter-attack near Radzymin on July 31. The offensive, carried out by 4 understrength Panzer divisions, was to secure the eastern approaches to Warsaw and Vistula crossings, and aimed to destroy the three tank corps of the Second Tank Army in detail. Under the leadership of German Field Marshal Model, the 4th, 19th, Hermann Göring, and 5th SS Panzer Divisions were concentrated from different areas with their arrival in the area of Wolomin occurring between July 31 and August 1, 1944. Although the 3rd Tank Corps gamely defended the initial assaults of the Hermann Göring and 19th Panzer Divisions, the arrival of the 4th Panzer and 5th SS Panzer Divisions spelled doom for the isolated and outnumbered unit. Already on August 1, the leading elements of the 19th and 5th SS Panzer Divisions, closing from the west and east respectively, met at Okuniew, cutting the 3rd Tank Corps off from the other units of the Second Tank Army. Pressed into the area of Wolomin, the 3rd Tank Corps was pocketed and destroyed on August 3, 1944. Attempts to reach the doomed tank corps by the 8th Guards Tank Corps and the 16th Tank Corps failed, with the 8th Guards Tank Corps taking serious losses in the attempt. Although Model had planned to attack the 8th Guards Tank Corps next, the withdrawal of the 19th and Hermann Göring Panzer Divisions to shore up the German defenses around the Magnuszew bridgehead forced the remaining German forces around Okuniew to go on the defensive.  For unknown reasons, on August 2, 1944 all armies that were to assault Warsa w had their orders changed. The 28th, 47th and 65th Armies were ordered to turn northwards and seize the undefended town of Wyszków and the Liwiec river line. The 2nd Tank Army was left in place and had to fight the Germans alone, without support of the infantry. Also, 69th Army was ordered to stop while the 8th Guards Army under Vasily Chuikov was ordered to halt the assault and await a German attack from the direction of Garwolin. Further combat lasted until August 10, when the Germans finally withdrew. Soviet losses were heavy, but not heavy enough to affect the overall course of their thrust to the vicinity of Warsaw. The 3rd Tank Corps was destroyed, the 8th Guards Tank Corps took heavy losses, and the 16th Tank Corps took significant losses as well. Overall, the Second Tank Army's losses were significant enough that it was withdrawn from the front lines by August 5, 1944.

So much history in such a gorgeously excavated specimen.

$425  SOLD

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Excellent Original SS Ink Document Seal Stamp

US GI Vet "War Trophy" Brought Home

Here's something to put under your "Tannenbaum"!  This one will be a nice "Frolische Weinachten" present to ANY WWII German collector!  Brought home as a "war trophy" souvenir by a returning GI, this killer-cool original SS ink document official seal stamper.  It measures 2" wide by 1.74" high.  Obviously in quite good condition, but clearly WELL used by some SS "paper-pusher"!  As you can tell, it used a LOT of "blood-red" ink on many documents.  Under these official SS seals stamped on every order or correspondence, the lives of over 6 million civilians were killed behind this seal.

How many of THESE do you get to see for sale!?  A really unique, very historical, and of course, with those magical "runes" that makes every WWII collector get weak in his knees....SS!

SOLD!  Auf Wiedersehen!

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"Killer" Japanese WWII Officer's Shin-Gunto ("New Military") Katana Sword

100% Original, Intact, US Pacific War Vet "War Trophy"

Pre-War (Circa-1900) Production, w/Maker's Marks on both sides of the Handle Spine

Yeah, everybody calls them "Samurai swords"--and indeed, they are simply modern versions of the tradition Japanese Samurai swords of centuries past--which the new Military leadership and Emperor Hirohito of  Japan wanted to evoke with their countrymen at the turn of the 20th Century.  The Bushido code of the old Samurai would again be reinstated for Japan's military.  But these are technically not "Samurai" swords--they are "Shin-Gunto" (or "New Military") Katana swords, made for the Japanese military at the turn of the 20th Century, and made through until the very bitter end of WWII.  This is a very early version of the Shin-Gunto, being appraised by both our local Japanese sword export, Bill Watson, and Brian Akins of Akins Arsenal, as being 100% original, untouched, and not your wartime-produced specimens (where quality and materials to make them became poorer).  This one appears to be a circa-1900 produced specimen, and has the Japanese maker's marks on both sides of the spine of the handle on the blade (see pictures below).  One can send away and pay to have the maker's marks deciphered, and you will KNOW who the specific sword maker was!  But we leave that up to the future owner.  The beautiful floral/Chrysanthemum designs and motifs (the Chrysanthemum being the symbol of the Emperor himself) adorn this gorgeous beauty both on the handle, the small guard, and the scabbard.  No damage--no repairs--NO MONKEY-BUSINESS.  Most of the "Samurai" swords being sold out there as "original" are indeed as FAKE as they come.  This was a local Pacific vet's "war trophy" he brought back home, and again, after thorough examination, you may buy with 100% confidence that this is 100% the "real deal".

Check around at the prices on other WWII websites, and you'll see what a BARGAIN you are getting!  I see them starting at $1200, and as high as $2000 for similar WWII Japanese Officer Katana's...

$898 SOLD

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Excellent WWII US Officer ID'ed "War Trophies" Brought Back From Germany

All From Bronze Star Awarded Officer, 1st Lt. Paul E. Choate

Included Are An Original EARLY PATTERN "Totenkopf" ("Death's Head) SS Pin and SS Buckle,

Luftwaffe Gold Leaf Foil Application, Luftwaffe Silver-Braided Patch, Regimental Button, Pins, Stamps

"The Furhrer's War At Sea" Booklet, AND an Original Picture of Lt. Choate While On Campaign!

Coming Straight on Consignment from His Son, Lee Choate, of Nashville, Tennessee

Every day, the remaining "roll call" of the "greatest generation" is thinning-out.  Like the marches into combat and on to victory, so too does time "march on".  But we have those rare opportunities to obtain and treasure pieces of that most cataclysmic time of ALL human history...especially so, when it comes with full provenance from the son of the very father who fought, survived, and brought home these "war trophies" and mementoes from that hell they endured.  1st Lt. Paul E. Choate would be awarded the Bronze Star for his actions and bravery, being in a recon unit in none-other than Patton's 3rd Army in the liberation of Europe.  Amongst many other items that be brought home, he brought this very nice grouping we have assembled together.  Topping it right off is a KILLER, early pattern "Totenkopf" ("Death's Head") SS pin, with classic SS belt buckle, reading, "Meine Ehre Heisst Treue!"  (translated into "My Honor Remains True!").  There's a gorgeous gold-leaf foil application in PERFECT condition (well-protected in plastic protector), a really cool "Furhrer's War at Sea" booklet (pocket-sized!) with each page having a picture of a ship, or U-Boat, or describing a battle, etc.  There are multiple Nazi stamps, a regimental "10" uniform button, several "soldat" medals, Naval medal, pins, and even a 1919 half-Mark coin.  One great original "in-the-field" photograph of Lt. Choate in his recon Jeep (the other picture of him sitting in a slit trench with a great German helmet in the shot will be for sale VERY SOON WITH THAT HELMET!!  I'm showing the picture as a "teaser"!)  And a very beautiful silver-braided Luftwaffe patch.  With a few more "odds and ends" Nazi stuff, it's really a cool grouping!  And for a little more info about Bronze Star-awarded Lt. Choate, I give you a brief synopsis explained by his son:

"My father, 1st Lt. Paul E. Choate, was on French soil very shortly after D-Day, and they were in heavy fighting in towns and he said the hedgerow country was horrible.  They were a good bit ahead of the main forces and did a good bit of advanced open-field running & scouting in advance of Gen. Patton's famous open-field running.  Then, the Bulge, the Hurtgen Forest (which was hellacious, he said worse than Bulge and lasted all winter) and then going into Germany; and, most of the time, spearheading with his outfit's recon unit.  All this and he never got a purple heart.  He did get a Bronze Star, something that wasn't handed out in WWII as it has been in later conflicts.  He was in an armored car one time and I can't remember it it hit a mine or was hit by mortar, but it was blown to hell and he didn't get a scratch;  he went over to it and took his knife and dug shrapnel out of one of the tires and kept it as his Good Luck Piece; I guess it helped.  I have it today."

So much history...so many pieces of that history...and not for a lot of money...

$898  SOLD

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Splendid Original NSDAP Party Silver Wedding Ring

Classic Nazi High Party Official, State "Order" Police, and SS-Used Wedding Band

For those within the Reich of high rank, party affiliation, or within one of the Reich's top Police/Order organizations (including the SS), they were allowed to wear this privately-made silver-smithed NSDAP wedding band.  This original silver beauty has all the clear detail of its oak leaves and Swastika's--as nice as the day it was smithed.  I can't remember my wedding finger size, but it fits my wedding finger perfectly!  So it's neither "small" nor "fat"--just right.  No damage, dings, warping, or cleaning--it's completely untouched, just as it was brought back over here after the war.  Even better is that this piece was personally shown to a German veteran of the 10th SS a couple months ago, who recognized the design, and said it was not uncommon for SS men to have this very style ring as their wedding band.  This is a consignment piece, and to the BUYER ALONE will the current owner be revealed (which has a tie to the 10th SS German veteran!  You've got to buy it to know about who is selling this--you can call him and talk to the owner himself!  Hint: this is "museum quality"...)

Cool piece of Nazi history, and a beautiful one, at that...

SOLD

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Fantastic German WWII M42 Single-Decal Helmet

100% Intact, Complete, & Original, Including Liner

Really Nice Heer's (Army) Eagle Decal, Complete w/Original Liner, Nice "feld Grau" Remnants (with some patina)

Great local Mississippi Vet "War Trophy" Brought-Back Helmet

Boy, aren't German helmets just getting harder and harder to find--especially those that have any decals remaining, or haven't been FAKED or "monkeyed-with"!  And their prices and values?  Just keep going up and up.  Here's a fantastic "war trophy" brought back from the War by a local Mississippi soldier and stowed away for years--clearly in a good place where water, sunlight, or CHILDREN playing "war" didn't get at it to ruin it!!!!  The helmet is 100% intact and 100% original.  The original liner is firmly in-place and intact--excepting for the draw-string on the very inside of the helmet where the flaps would be adjusted by the soldier to fit his head "just right".  And what I have come to "theorize"--based upon the fact I keep seeing so many with that draw-string missing on really nice helmets--is that the "Gerries" removed it on purpose (for whatever reason).  Regardless, you can use any hemp rope, leather tie-string, etc, and put it in there, if it makes you "feel good".  Personally (again, given that I see so many missing them anyway), I like it untouched the way the GI brought it back from Germany off the dead German soldier's head!  You can read the manufacturing markings "S" over "5213" stamping on the back inside brim of the helmet.  Great "feld Grau" ("field green" German army color for everything) remnants, with the mixed patina of time over 60 years sitting in a closet or attic, but no active oxidation, NO DAMAGE, NO REPAIRS, and NO APOLOGIES.  The Heer's or Wehrmacht  ("Army") decal is 100% authentic (BEWARE OF FAKES EVERYWHERE OUT THERE!) and still very nice with little wear, scratching, or loss.

Find one better and cheaper, if you can...and BUY IT!  Otherwise, here ya go....

SOLD

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Stunning Original Bullet-Riddled & Blood-Spattered British Spitfire Canopy

Multiple 20mm Messerschmitt Cannon Blasts Riddling the Canopy, and Clearly, It's British Pilot

From A Downed Spitfire in the Battle of Britain 1940 -- Coming Out Of The Mike Miner Collection

Freedom Isn't Free

This profound and graphic piece of World War II history bespeaks of the courage and sacrifice made by ardent men during the most desperate, but "finest hour" of human history, as the British people fought against the German Luftwaffe bombing campaign in the Battle of Britain 1940.  It is a vivid testimonial to the ultimate price paid to defend freedom and liberty of a democratic people against tyranny.  Clearly, this British pilot did not survive the 20mm Messerschmitt cannon blasts from his German foe.  But Britain, her people, and freedom prevailed in the end, thanks to those who were willingly to fight and die.  That is war, regardless of the age.  That is what this piece represents.  Indeed, the rarity of finding an original Spitfire canopy intact from World War II is virtually impossible, and the price to acquire one would be staggering.  But this phenomenal and vivid piece of history offered here is truly priceless--much like the life of the pilot who perished beneath this canopy.  For the cost of a mere dug Confederate belt buckle, I could not let this one pass by me.  Now, I'll let someone else have the distinct honor of preserving this irreplaceable piece of human history and stark reminder of the sacrifice made by a free people.  It was worthy of one of the finest and most valuable private collections in the world (the late Mike Miner), and it now can be yours.

Shipping cost and/or delivery arrangements must be made between myself and the buyer.  It is approximately 4' long, by 2' wide, and 16" high.  It does include the original cockpit mirror, as well.

SOLD

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Fantastic German Nazi Lieutenant's State Police/Order Dress Tunic

Direct From the "Stars And Stripes" Museum -- Owned By Curator Paul Arnold, & Now Sold To The Open Market

Great Leutnant Rank Shoulder Boards, Collar Insignia, and Stadt Polizei Arm Patch

All-Original, Untouched, GI Brought-Back War Trophy

Fresh to the market--straight from the Museum!   Looks like Champion Hill Relics may be emptying-out a lot of museums around this country!  But I've just got to have true "museum-quality" items to offer my loyal and dedicated clients....and I aim to please.  This piece was brought-back home by a GI in Missouri as a war trophy, and originally came with the Lt's Polizei helmet (which I sold a few months back in April).  Well, Paul's having a new baby on the way, so he let this beauty finally out of his clutches.  As Curator for the "Stars and Stripes" Museum, he had put this and other of his personal collection pieces on display to "beef-up" their collection.  But their loss is YOUR GAIN. Beautiful State Polizei/Order "Leutnant's" officer dress tunic, complete with his excellent rank shoulder boards, his collar tabs, and his silver embroidered State Polizei/Order patch on his arm.  All the buttons are solidly present, and the piece is very nice, as you can tell in the photo's below.  Retains great color and contrast, especially with the trim colors.  Shows clear wear from the officer's usage--that good "honest wear" to prove some Nazi sweated and worked hard for the Fatherland wearing this one!

Excellent, and once again (broken record) museum-quality piece that a WWII collector can afford.

SOLD

Below Is The "Minty" Condition Polizei Helmet that was originally with this uniform

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Full-Scale, 100% Authentic German WWII MP40 "Dummy" Submachine Gun

100% Reproduction but Authentic "To-Spec", NON-Firing, Plastic Barrel, Faux Bakelite & w/Repro Metal Parts

The Affordable, 100% Legal, Fully-Functional Piece Perfect For Your Weapons Display

Here's your chance to have the most affordable, and arguably most iconic German WWII weapon ever produced.  Don't be a "dummy" and pay thousands for a "de-mil'ed" MP40--which can STILL get you in very hot water with the ATF--when you can do the smart and affordable option of a meticulously authentic reproduction piece that fully ensures it is a "dummy" submachine gun...but will FOOL ANYONE WHO WALKS IN YOUR WAR ROOM TO SEE IT!  Strap this beauty on the real "dummy"--the mannequin in your display room with his SS field gear and smock, and it makes for the most killer final touch that truly brings the display to life.  The folding stock is fully-functional, folding in and out, locking in and out just as the original dig.  The receiver and bolt are all plastic, and again (even the safety feature of the cocking mechanism) and everything is fully-functional.  Even the bolt assembly can be cocked, and fired by the trigger, of course!  The barrel is plastic and solid--nothing in any way could ever possibly be altered to ever even fire a spitwad or BB, so when everyone who see's it and freaks out thinking you've got a real MP40 submachine gun, you can calmly tell them, "It's a dummy....DUMMY!"  Only a few metal parts and pieces so that it adds realistic weight and feel to it--just splendid.  Clip also operates perfectly--and is metal with solid plastic innards--again, NOT a real clip.  Exacting authenticity to size, design, and attributes were paid to even the slightest detail--right down to the flip-up leaf sights.  Has great looking correct-style markings of "MP 40  ayf  40  MARUSHIN".  Though Hugo Schmeisser was indeed a revolutionary German weapons designer for decades, it was actually Chief Engineer Heinrich Vollmer who is responsible for the development of the MP40.  It was Schmeisser's clip made for the MP40--bearing his name as the maker's mark on the clip--that led to so many Tommy's and GI's to nickname it the "Schmeisser".  A lot of Germans actually nicknamed them "Spandau's" since a majority of them were made by the Spandau production facility and marked as such.  Regardless, not only did the Germans simply adore the MP40, every single enemy nation and army respected them so much that they often carried and used captured specimens.

A real "de-wad" Schmeisser costs thousands.  A REAL-real Schmeisser for you appropriately licensed owners out there cost around $10,000+.  You can spend a mere tiny fraction of the cost, and 5 feet away, THEY WON'T KNOW THE DIFFERENCE!  So who's the real "dummy"???

$498

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THE Legendary MP40...in real action...

Even "proper Englishmen" gave the unyielding respect deserved to the excellent MP40 German submachine gun, as displayed in the picture below of Brits in the Normandy Invasion