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Militaria
Collecting
The Militaria Collector's Network has moved,
Hold on... going there now...
Militaria
Collecting
I've always been interested in Militaria since I was a child, I think most kids enjoy playing soldiers or watching war films, and granted, that is how I started. However, now I appreciate the history behind it, and don't glorify war or death, but appreciate the sacrifice and wastefulness of war.
My
first piece of militaria was a present from my grandmother. My grandfather was
a private in the Somerset Light Infantry fighting in
World War 1. He died when my father was young, so I was named after him. When
I was about 11 yrs old, my gran offered me a box of medals. There were about
6 medals in the box, and I was to chose one as my cousins also had their choice.
The medal I chose was a German Iron Cross 2nd Class.
I wasn't
to know what all the medals were, however, it turned out that there was
my grandfather's Victory and War medals. These went to my cousin, also
my great-grandfathers Boer War medals went to another cousin! Aargh...
if only I'd known, however at 11 yrs of age, a German Iron Cross DOES seem
good.
About
6 months ago, my cousin who got the WW1 pair belonging to my grandfather
gave them to me as a present, he collects medals and coins but thought
that as I was named after my grandfather, I should have the medals. So...
if you read this Jim, it's much appreciated!
As I
mentioned before, my grandfather was in the Somerset
Light Infantry. I have his call up papers
and discharge papers, so I really should be chasing up his war service
records. However, about two thirds of the WW1 records were destroyed in
the Blitz.
Through my teenage years I never really collected anything, too many other things were about to fill my mind. I still maintained an interest in militaria, read loads of military books etc. The thing that started me seriously collecting was finding a Militaria dealer in Glasgow, my nearest city. Unlike London, there really isn't that many people selling militaria in Scotland. That shop was The Treasure Bunker and it is a shop I can totally recommend. Have a look at their web page, and if you like anything, remember to say that Lenny sent you! ;-)
From then on,
I started collecting more seriously. It started with me buying varied pieces.
Sometimes a medal, other times a bayonet or a helmet. It is probably better
to specialise in one particular area, however it is so tempting when you see
something at a car boot sale, or a bric-a-brac shop. I've bought a fair selection
over the last few years, but now I'm "trying" to concentrate on Helmets and
Headgear. However, all it takes is for me to see a particulary interesting bayonet
or helmet and there go the best laid plans!
The
one thing I would say is, learn the prices of what you wish to buy. Read
the magazines, order price lists, and learn to spot the fakes. You're ok
if you deal with someone trustworthy, like at The
Treasure Bunker . However, if you buy from an unknown dealer, or a
car boot sale, and it's a fake, you aint gonna get your money back. Worthy
dealers will give authenticity guarantees, but you are well advised to
do your homework.
An ideal place to do that homework is right here on the Internet. If I have a particular item that's bothering me, I leave a message in one of the newsgroups.
There's an amazing library of knowledge in there, however please don't go in and take take take.... It's meant to be a two way thing!You will find the folks very helpful and it's a great place to discuss a common interest.
There
are other rescources on the WWW which are useful, here are just a few of
them :
Speaking
of firearms, I've always been into shooting. Preferably using my trusty
Lee Enfield No. 4 Mk 2. It was made in 1953 at Fazakarley, and has been
converted from .303" to 7.62mm Nato by Fulton of Bisley. I mainly shoot
target these days, using an Anshutz Match 54 which is a .22" prone rifle.
However, I also do a bit of clay pigeon shooting. It's a shame, but shooting
is really getting hounded here in the UK. All the safe, responsible shooters
are suffering because of a psychopath. The new laws in the UK will, in
my opinion, do nothing to protect people from psychopaths! The only thing
I can say if you are interested in shooting is, join a club. It's the only
way you'll get into the sport.
If you'd like
to talk about shooting, or militaria, then feel free to e-mail
me.
How many British
Cap Badges do I have? Oh... about
Copyright © 1998 Lenny Warren. All rights reserved.