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I had a sales table at the most recent Ottawa Military Heritage Show on April 26th. Towards the end of the show a fellow came up to me and asked me if I knew much about German Uhlan Leggings. Frankly, I know next to nothing about the Uhlans. So, I told him I knew some people who would know and...

Here’s a cup I’ve had for years which has me wondering. I think this is a coffee cup given by a father (Jakob Pies) to his son Mathias? I translate the script beneath the name “Jakob? Pies” as: “Remembering my beloved son Mathias serving with the 2nd Company of the 2nd Upper Rhine Infantry...

I just purchased this pair of Imperial Army binoculars made by Carl Zeiss at an estate sale in Ottawa. Based on the serial number and the materials used it’s most likely these were produced around mid-1915. This is a D.f. model in the very popular 6 X 30 version. The optics are really...

This is the helmet that motivated me back in August to sell my M35 Luftwaffe re-issue helmet. It was a win-win situation where both an Italian Stalhelm collector and I wound up with items for our collections that we were both thrilled to acquire. The helmet transaction is an amazing story that I...

I don't collect military firearms as my hunting firearms have my two gun cabinets pretty much full. I picked up a Gewehr 98 in a weak moment many years ago because the price was too good to ignore. Never been fired as the bolt and the receiver serial numbers are a mismatch. I could get a...

My latest find is this restoration project helmet. This, to me, is what collecting is all about. It’s gratifying when you can use your knowledge to understand that an item on offer is more than it’s been represented to be. I also enjoy restoring helmets that have been abused over the years. I...

Here is a parade bush for a Bavarian General that I’ve had for over 25 years. This came to me when I purchased the pickelhaube of Major-General Karl Leichtenstern back in the late 90’s. The pickelhaube came with the Trichter and these feathers were in the storage tube. At the time I didn’t...

Here's a Wappen I picked up recently. I've never had the opportunity to pick one of these up and I frankly know very little about them. I believe it's real, but I'm curious about the method of attachment to what I think would have been the Borfeldt Tropical helmet? Do these long prongs look...

Many thanks to Tony Schnurr for making one of my "Pickelhaube Bucket List" acquisitions come true. Some of you may know that I've been wanting one of these helmets for years. Now, I could have bought one long ago via a dealer, but this is a hobby, and one of the "rules" that I play by is, I...

I was looking around for some of my 109th items today and I remembered I had this tucked away in a drawer. I think it's sort of cool that the original owner lost the rear cover and recovered it using cardboard and gluing some regiment related cut outs on it along with his name which I can't...

Sorry if this question is patently obvious but I'm confused regarding the Company number on this strap. Is it a 2 or a 7 ? I'm thinking a 7 but the numeral seems an odd configuration to me?

A couple of steins I've had for years. I wouldn't normally buy a stein missing the lid but I couldn't let this one pass for two reasons: It's to the 109th which is my favourite regiment but more importantly, it's the only time I've been offered a stein that was purchased by a reservist who...

I've had this Metalhelm for many years and posted it a while back. I was researching Kurassier helmet markings today and on a whim I decided to remove the Prussian Korarde to see if I could find a stamp of some sort. The helmet to this point showed no markings anywhere. Not even a size stamp...

I'll be visiting in The Algarve soon and am wondering if we have any Portuguese members here?

At Brian’s request I’m posting my progress on the helmet I’m currently restoring which was originally posted in the Latest Finding section. I posted it under the heading of Prussian Zahlmeister which later was proved to be inaccurate thanks to the input of Wojtek and Glenn. Based on the...

Here's an intriguing item I picked up at a local flea market. It was going cheap so I couldn't resist adding it to the collection. Just the ticket for keeping your Pickelhaube in sparkling new condition.🧐 Well...maybe not after 125 years in the tin, although I haven't removed the lid to see...

After acquiring a 2nd M15 Jager zu Pferde helmet recently I was struck by the difference in the tone of the "gun blue" finish on these two helmets. Both helmets were made by C.E. Juncker in 1916 yet the one I've had for many years has a silver/blue finish while the recent acquisition in the...

The last purchase of yesterday’s Ottawa Militaria Show was this M15 Jager zu Pferde helmet which was also very affordable considering it was purchased in Cdn. dollars. I already have a Jager zu Pferde which is in better condition so this one will be a restoration project with the intent of...

Another piece I couldn’t resist buying at the Ottawa Militaria Show yesterday is this helmet which was incorrectly offered by the vendor as a Prussian Reservist helmet. Although it has a significant issue, being the lack of a rear visor and spine, the cost of the parts by far exceeded the price...

I attended the Ottawa Militaria Show yesterday and picked up several items that I’ll be posting. First acquisition of the morning was these four Kokarden. Very reasonably priced and even better when buying four at a time. I was looking for a Bavarian OR’s to complete my Leibgarde restoration...