Sold Gallery
These pages display a number of the rare items that I have had the pleasure of selling. To view more details and a larger photograph please click on the thumbnail picture.
VICTORIAN BLUE CLOTH HELMET-1ST SUFFOLK RIFLES-NAM
Complete in the original carrying black tin, this is a lovely example of a Victorian period Home Service Officers helmet. Never been in a collection and recently acquired from the family. The helmet is in near perfect condition, with only one small hole to the black cloth. Chin scales, badge and spike are in a dark patina. Badge is to the SUFFOLK REGT with 1st Volunteer Batallion. Cream silk liner inside with leather sweatband. London maker in gold lettering to inside. Tin has brass nameplate to ' Lieut J Sherwood 1st Suffolk Rifles' so this exactly matches the helmet inside. A wonderful piece of history and a really nice piece of miltaria. Worthy of any collection.
RARE..LUFTWAFFE GENERAL SUMMER BREAST EAGLE.
This is only the third one of these I've had, and it's beautiful! Luftwaffe breast eagle in gilt-washed aluminium for the Gernerals Summer tunic or shirt. Fantastic detail, made by ASSMANN, with 'A' cast into reverse. Pin back.MINT CONDITION. This is actually not the same as a normal Assmann aluminium breast eagle, it has subtle differences. Gilt wash for starters, then the actually eagle has more and better detail, when comparing the two side by side. Also the eagle itself is slightly different, daintier, and the eagles leg which holds the swastika is cast free of the main body of the bird. So very delicate!! The standard eagle has the leg and swastika cast as part of the main body, all joined together. I have shown a photo of the two together to show the differences. A rare item and would look fantastic with any Luftwaffe display, especially if you have some Luftwaffe Gerneral's insignia etc.
INFANTRY OFFICERS 'saddle' shaped visor cap.
Good looking visor cap with interesting shape to the front peak etc. A cap that's been there and done it. Definately worn a lot. a few small moth holes in the cloth to the top of the cap. No other damage. Aluminium eagle and cockade in good condition, have oxidised a little. Celluloid peak is fine with no cracks. Lining all complete, orange linen cloth. Size marked 57 in ink. Celluloid diamond missing. Leather sweat band fine and intact.
WW1 German Officer's Picklehaube cover.
Introduced in 1892 in order to make the Picklehaube less conspicuous in the field these covers were used throughout the First World War. Made from a field grey twill material and retained on the picklehaube by two reinforced tabs. This example clearly marked 'DRP' to the inside and is slightly faded through use and has some marks where the patent leather of the picklehaube has left a residue. One of the retaining tabs has a crack to the interior stiffener, but this little or no effect on the item. Good example.
Scout Regiment (Sniper) Telescope.
Scout Regiment (Sniper) Telescope by B.C. & Co. Ltd. Marked: "TEL.SCT. REGT. MK.11s. 6509 O.S.126.G.A." Standard configuration. Three draw with sun shade. Blacked brass body with brown leather covering. Separate leather case. Included as standard issue with the No.4T Sniper rifle and it's accoutrements. In excellent condition with clean, clear optics, intact filters and sun shield. Case is missing one small tab but otherwise in excellent condition. HEAVY ITEM.
U-Boat binoculars.
An excellent set of 7 x 50 fixed focus, heavy duty U-Boat binoculars. Of the pattern in use from 1943 with coated optics, internal focusing without graticules and with rubber armouring and eye cups. Individually numbered to the top plate ' 7 x 50 46037 blc' indicating construction by Carl Zeiss Jena. Good clean and clear optics with 95% of original finish remaining with rubbing to high spots, some edge splitting to rubber armour but no loss. Rain shield and sheild retainer absent.
8th Army RASC Tank Transporter North Africa groupi
Grouping of ephemera, diaries and photographs to 227134 Dvr.H.J.Maskell 144 Tank Tpr.Coy R.A.S.C. Maskell originally from Birmingham served in North Africa, Tunisia and Italy. Group includes a number of photographs including an album and negatives showing Maskell's work with tank transporters. Most interesting are the diaries which include entries..... ' being chased by armoured car, how much further, but at last we outdistance him.' ,' make for Tobruk but told scram as Jerry near. Pick up a load of Grants.' ' Tobruk what's that bombing, Stukas, so early..I saw one in flames, out jumps the pilot with parachute going'. The diaries are also interspersed with various dried flowers and plants presumably picked up in the desert. Also includes various passes, personal photographs, ephemera and RASC cap badge and s/titles and 8th Army sliders all contained in a leather writing case as found. Interesting grouping to a little known aspect to the war in the Desert.
' 1927 Pattern ' Webbing . Set
Uncommon set of webbing that has come to be known as '1927 Pattern'.This sets consists of Patt. '25 Cartridge carriers, Back adjustment strap, Bayonet frog, Braces, Haversack, and Upper rucksack; together with a Patt. '19 Rifle Equipment Entrenching tool carrier and Water bottle carrier, all in khaki. Almost all of the pieces are maker maked "M.E. Co." and dated 1927. The cartridge carriers have been lightly blancoed, the rest of the set is un blancoed and in very good condition. May I recommend the Karkee Web website for further discussion of this equipment.
Discovered cashe of Wehrmacht armbands!!!
Purchased directly from a veteran source in the USA. This chap obviously raided the supply store for these things, he actually had over 30 of these armbands!!! I purchased a few. Standard Deutche Wehrmacht thick yellow cotton armbands, with the bevo black lettering. All show signs of age and storage, all slightly different!!! Have state inpection stamp in ink on each. Issued to civilian workers in the German army. (price each)
DEUTCHE WEHRMACHT ARMBAND
A good quality 'bevo' lettering ,'Deutche Wehrmacht' armband. No moth or damage, slightly grubby, but otherwise a very nice example. These used to be very common, now quite difficult to find!