I'm talking about authentic antiques (or at least items you believe to be authentic, not repros):
My list:
FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR: A French silver epaulette
US CIVIL WAR: a cannonball fragment my grandfather dug up at Gettysburg, a Confederate minie round from Antietam, my great-great-great-etc. grandfather's Honorable Discharge certificate from the USMC, signed by Jacob Zeilin
WORLD WAR I: a German Mauser bayonet
WORLD WAR II: all of my great uncle's medals, an Arisaka 98 bayonet (my dad has the rifle itself :( ), about a half dozen original American propaganda posters, about the same number of Japanese signed tank and regimental silk flags, a US Army jungle warfare/Japanese adversary manual, an Iron Cross second class, my grandfather's discharge papers and dog tags, some random guy's full USMC service uniform
Let's see...
SWEDISH ARMY 1990s: My old badges etc from the Army. A couple of t-shirts.
I have a Selous Scouts pin from the Rhodesian war.
I have my Grandfather's medals from World War II.
The certificate for the Congressional Medal of Honor for the brother of my Great-Great Grandfather and the Great-Great Grandfather's sewing kit from the Civil War.
Quote from: Valmy on April 10, 2009, 03:16:19 PMThe certificate for the Congressional Medal of Honor for the brother of my Great-Great Grandfather
Nice. :cool:
WWI: A couple iron crosses (1st & 2nd class) & an ancient-looking Russian M91 mosin nagant rifle that was made in 1914 but had the imperial markings ground off by some Bolshevik shithead. Also have an Austro-Hungarian straight-pull bolt action Steyr M95 rifle that was manufactured in Budapest. Also have a Russian M95 Nagant pistol.
WWII: German War Merit Cross, Iron Cross 2nd class, and some miscellaneous insignia. Also have some Russian stuff-- the Capture of Berlin medal with presentation document is the most interesting. Russian M44 rifles dated 1944 & 1945, an unissued (refurbed) Russian M91/30 mosin nagant w/ bayonet. Superb quality Finn M39 rifle dated 1944. WWII-dated Turkish Mausers I bought for $39 apiece :) I used to have a Russian SVT-40.
Also used to have an interesting K98k rifle that was originally produced in 1942, but rebarrelled after the war for 7.62NATO. What's really interesting about it is the intact WWII German waffenampt markings right next to the IDF coat of arms on the receiver :D
Cold War: A bunch of East German militaria. Brand spanking new Yugoslavian 59/66 SKS rifle & equally new Yugo M48 mauser (looks like K98). Really nice quality Polish M44 rifle, as well as M44's from Romania & Hungary. Czech CZ52 pistol & East German "Pistole M" Makarov.
I have a US ammo box from WWII. Other than that, nothing.
I got my grandpa's medals with papers, his 1st aid kit and his belt. There's no swastika or Gott mit uns on the belt anymore, he scratched that off. The 1st aid kit is a nice leather box that can be worn on a belt, big enough to keep a a purse, camera and ciggies in it when it's too hot to wear clothes with enough pockets to carry all the usual stuff.
Quote from: syk on April 10, 2009, 03:45:26 PM
There's no swastika or Gott mit uns on the belt anymore, he scratched that off.
During or after the war?
Quote from: Valmy on April 10, 2009, 03:47:39 PM
Quote from: syk on April 10, 2009, 03:45:26 PM
There's no swastika or Gott mit uns on the belt anymore, he scratched that off.
During or after the war?
I never asked, I'd imagine he did that in Sibiria.
Quote from: grumbler on April 10, 2009, 03:55:40 PM:ultra:
What? It is just the citation I have no idea what happened to the actual medal.
Here he is: http://www.cmohs.org/recipient-detail/752/kephart-james.php
Quote from: Valmy on April 10, 2009, 03:58:56 PM
Quote from: grumbler on April 10, 2009, 03:55:40 PM:ultra:
What? It is just the commendation I have no idea what happened to the actual medal.
There is no "Congressional" Medal of Honor. There is a military Medal of Honor, and a naval Medal of Honor, but none for Congressmen.
Quote from: syk on April 10, 2009, 03:50:29 PM
I never asked, I'd imagine he did that in Sibiria.
How long was he in Siberia?
Quote from: derspiess on April 10, 2009, 04:11:49 PM
Quote from: syk on April 10, 2009, 03:50:29 PM
I never asked, I'd imagine he did that in Sibiria.
How long was he in Siberia?
He was captured during the fall of Königsberg and released in May 1948.
Quote from: syk on April 10, 2009, 04:15:52 PM
He was captured during the fall of Königsberg and released in May 1948.
Must have been brutal. At least he wasn't captured earlier in the war.
Quote from: derspiess on April 10, 2009, 04:19:30 PM
Quote from: syk on April 10, 2009, 04:15:52 PM
He was captured during the fall of Königsberg and released in May 1948.
Must have been brutal. At least he wasn't captured earlier in the war.
From what he told me the worst bit was the 1st march to the east where he got beaten up badly for not getting his pants back up quick enough. The rest apparently wasn't pleasant but at least he had it a tad easier as he was the only guy there able to properly whet scythes. Other than that he only told me he was able to keep his wedding ring and photos of his wife and his brother in a false bottom cigarette box. The picture of my granduncle could have got him in severe trouble as he was sporting his Leibstandarte uniform on that.
Luftwaffe Dagger taken off a dead officer. 70 Reich marks. No, I will not take a picture of it.
Supposedly somebody in the family had the wallet with the dude's I.D. and other documents. But, I never cared since I'm not returning the dagger to his family. Fucking kraut.
A sword, one table and a large rock; all heavily used.
Nothing that I own, but I once held in my hands an old-as-fuck Russian bolt-action rifle that we confiscated off some insurgents in Iraq. :cool:
Also, this may not count, but I have a small golden necklace with a cross that an Iraqi Army soldier gave to me in solidarity. I intend to make it a family heirloom, or bury it with me, or something cool like that.
I wonder if that dude is still alive... :(
Quote from: mongers on April 10, 2009, 04:54:34 PM
A sword, one table and a large rock; all heavily used.
:lol: Nice.
I own a Walther P-38 from WW2, complete with the Reich's QA markings.
Did some research on the armament markings, the slide and barrel were constructed at Spandau in '43 or '44, and the grip and magazine where constructed at a labor camp in Czechslovakia. Not at home right now, so I don't have the precise info in front of me.
My grandfather bought it off a German sailor he knew from his merchant marine days in Baltimore in 1947, gave it to my Dad as a wedding present in 1968, and Dad gave it to me about 10 years ago. Excellent action, in excellent condition.
I also have a surplus Soviet Navy cap.
I've got nuttin, the past is in the past man!
Quote from: Ed Anger on April 10, 2009, 04:40:29 PM
Luftwaffe Dagger taken off a dead officer. 70 Reich marks. No, I will not take a picture of it.
Supposedly somebody in the family had the wallet with the dude's I.D. and other documents. But, I never cared since I'm not returning the dagger to his family. Fucking kraut.
If the name is Bredtmeyer, I'll buy it off you.
Quote from: derspiess on April 10, 2009, 03:29:00 PMBrand spanking new Yugoslavian 59/66 SKS rifle
Brand new? That's pretty cool. My Yugo SKS came at least somewhat used and with various markings carved into it by some soldier or another in addition to the numbers stamped on/burned into all the parts.
I have a lion head saber sword, won at Paradox.
Quote from: derspiess on April 10, 2009, 03:29:00 PM
Also have an Austro-Hungarian straight-pull bolt action Steyr M95 rifle that was manufactured in Budapest.
:mmm:
Quote from: CountDeMoney on April 10, 2009, 05:10:27 PM
I own a Walther P-38 from WW2, complete with the Reich's QA markings.
Did some research on the armament markings, the slide and barrel were constructed at Spandau in '43 or '44, and the grip and magazine where constructed at a labor camp in Czechslovakia. Not at home right now, so I don't have the precise info in front of me.
lol dude you have a pistol made by captured jews?
I have a button taken from a colonel in the 9th TX cavalry regiment, passed down to one of my ancestors when the regiment surrendered, some confederate currency, a few minie balls, and a U.S beltbuckle a predecessor of mine wore. (He fought for the confederacy, naturally- U.S was turned upside down to do service as 'Southern Nation in a pinch.)
Quote from: Caliga on April 10, 2009, 03:03:29 PM
FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR: A French silver epaulette
I am a bit skeptical of this one. IIRC, épaulettes were slowly introduced in the French Armée de Terre from 1759: Armée de Terre troops in N. America at the time would have had their old uniforms - if any. Troupes de la Marine who served in the colonies didn't have épaulettes.
For my part, I own a WWI trench clock.
Quote from: Tamas on April 11, 2009, 10:31:39 AM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on April 10, 2009, 05:10:27 PM
I own a Walther P-38 from WW2, complete with the Reich's QA markings.
Did some research on the armament markings, the slide and barrel were constructed at Spandau in '43 or '44, and the grip and magazine where constructed at a labor camp in Czechslovakia. Not at home right now, so I don't have the precise info in front of me.
lol dude you have a pistol made by captured jews?
Pretty much, yeah.
Quote from: Oexmelin on April 11, 2009, 03:11:04 PM
Quote from: Caliga on April 10, 2009, 03:03:29 PM
FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR: A French silver epaulette
I am a bit skeptical of this one. IIRC, épaulettes were slowly introduced in the French Armée de Terre from 1759: Armée de Terre troops in N. America at the time would have had their old uniforms - if any. Troupes de la Marine who served in the colonies didn't have épaulettes.
For my part, I own a WWI trench clock.
Well, I 'inherited' this from my dad, who got it from a restaurant safe--his company bought the restaurant to turn it into an Olive Garden and the owner sold them everything, including all contents. He and a partner found all this military shit in the safe and the guy told them he didn't want it. That's also where I got the Japanese flags from. The label on it said "F & I War, French". I suppose it could be British. There's a little picture of a crown stamped onto the silver.
Well, it could be French - just not from the French and Indian War. Do you have a picture ?
Quote from: Oexmelin on April 14, 2009, 02:00:04 PM
Well, it could be French - just not from the French and Indian War. Do you have a picture ?
No, and in fact it's currently at my parents' house in Pennsylvania. As soon as I can get my hands on it I'll take a pic and post it.
Used to have a fallschirmjäger helmet back in the day, but I sold it for beer & cigarette money...
Quote from: C.C.R. on April 14, 2009, 04:21:30 PM
Used to have a fallschirmjäger helmet back in the day, but I sold it for beer & cigarette money...
:o That makes me sad. :(
Quote from: jimmy olsen on April 14, 2009, 08:09:48 PM
Quote from: C.C.R. on April 14, 2009, 04:21:30 PM
Used to have a fallschirmjäger helmet back in the day, but I sold it for beer & cigarette money...
:o That makes me sad. :(
But why? Think of the lucky guy who got a fallschirmjäger helmet for a pittance!
Quote from: C.C.R. on April 14, 2009, 04:21:30 PM
Used to have a fallschirmjäger helmet back in the day, but I sold it for beer & cigarette money...
You better be lying. *shakes fist* :mad:
None.
The only things I have that would qualify are my grandfather's WW2 stuff, specifically his service dagger, pocket knife (blasted to hell by a german round), and prayer book (with the bullet hole straight through to the back cover, where it stopped). Incidentally, the knife and prayer book were in his left breast pocket at the time...
Quote from: Tamas on April 11, 2009, 10:29:04 AM
Quote from: derspiess on April 10, 2009, 03:29:00 PM
Also have an Austro-Hungarian straight-pull bolt action Steyr M95 rifle that was manufactured in Budapest.
:mmm:
Those are a dime a dozen on the collector's market here (or at least they were going for about $80 apiece when I bought mine). Interesting thing is the only ammo I could find for it (7.92x56R) is Third Reich era production, and wasn't horribly expensive when I bought it. I loved shooting that ammo at the range & watching people's reaction when they saw the brass :D
Quote from: vinraith on April 14, 2009, 09:06:01 PM
The only things I have that would qualify are my grandfather's WW2 stuff, specifically his service dagger, pocket knife (blasted to hell by a german round), and prayer book (with the bullet hole straight through to the back cover, where it stopped). Incidentally, the knife and prayer book were in his left breast pocket at the time...
I guess that this proves that Christianity can contribute to evolutionary fitness :cool:
I used to have a WW2 US army tent. Used to joke it was haunted as one side was stained redish (likely not blood though).
Then some mice got to it apparently and my parents chucked it out :(
Quote from: syk on April 10, 2009, 04:28:39 PM
From what he told me the worst bit was the 1st march to the east where he got beaten up badly for not getting his pants back up quick enough. The rest apparently wasn't pleasant but at least he had it a tad easier as he was the only guy there able to properly whet scythes. Other than that he only told me he was able to keep his wedding ring and photos of his wife and his brother in a false bottom cigarette box. The picture of my granduncle could have got him in severe trouble as he was sporting his Leibstandarte uniform on that.
Out of pure curiosity, what unit was he with?
Quote from: Ape on April 15, 2009, 07:07:02 AM
Quote from: syk on April 10, 2009, 04:28:39 PM
From what he told me the worst bit was the 1st march to the east where he got beaten up badly for not getting his pants back up quick enough. The rest apparently wasn't pleasant but at least he had it a tad easier as he was the only guy there able to properly whet scythes. Other than that he only told me he was able to keep his wedding ring and photos of his wife and his brother in a false bottom cigarette box. The picture of my granduncle could have got him in severe trouble as he was sporting his Leibstandarte uniform on that.
Out of pure curiosity, what unit was he with?
14. Kompanie of Grenadier Regiment 12. After restructuring it was the "Sturmkompanie" of the 12th Grenadier Regiment. 31. Infanterie-Division (later 31. Volksgrenadier-Division).
Quote from: syk on April 15, 2009, 08:13:57 AM
14. Kompanie of Grenadier Regiment 12. After restructuring it was the "Sturmkompanie" of the 12th Grenadier Regiment. 31. Infanterie-Division (later 31. Volksgrenadier-Division).
http://www.feldgrau.com/InfDiv.php?ID=31 (http://www.feldgrau.com/InfDiv.php?ID=31) A division that fought after Barbarossa solely on the Ostfront, I'm beginning to understand your fascination with it :yes:
Glad your grandfather made it out from Siberia in one piece.
An 18th century naval infantry sabre that was supposedly used at the battle of Svensksund.
While the make is a relative certainty, the story of its use may be true or false. Still, it's a good story. :cool: