Cool Military Barn Finds

Martin Mars

Attachment 86171

Oh, wow! That is a great find!

That helmet may not be in great shape but it’s likely an original so it is probably worth good money. There are so many fakes and repros on the market these days that people pay a considerable upcharge for the real ones.

I picked this up last summer from a guy who walked into the gun shop. Original WW II Hitler Youth Knife

Attachment 86175

Very cool piece of history in the HJ knife.

Not barn finds, but cool nevertheless... I have a several pieces of white ceramic (or porcelain...not sure) dinnerware from German military dining halls. Most have Luftwaffe markings with some army markings. Cups, saucers, plates, desert plates, tea pot, coffee pot, salt/pepper well, etc... Really neat history from WWII. The best pieces of the collection, though, are these two mugs. They're very large and heavy:

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Wow, if those could talk!

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Originally Posted by Bailey Guns

Not barn finds, but cool nevertheless... I have a several pieces of white ceramic (or porcelain...not sure) dinnerware from German military dining halls. Most have Luftwaffe markings with some army markings. Cups, saucers, plates, desert plates, tea pot, coffee pot, salt/pepper well, etc... Really neat history from WWII. The best pieces of the collection, though, are these two mugs. They're very large and heavy:

Attachment 86194

Attachment 86195

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Man, I'd love to drink my coffee out of one of those. REALLY COOL!

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Originally Posted by flogger

Japanese 'Good Luck' flag, silk, 29"x 20". A popular GI bring back from WW2.
Attachment 84948
Actually picked up years ago at a flea market but never really did any research on it. These things were very personal to each soldier as they were signed by his family members, teachers and friends with wishes of victory and a safe return. There are a few good youtube videos describing several different types of flags and giving some translation. The longest video is the best if your interested. There are some interesting examples with curses to the ememy and prayers for famine and plague upon them!

As we know, many of these 'good luck' flags didn't work out real well for the holder. Hundreds of thousands died and many are considered dead but never buried, never found. These flags are a direct connection to a Japanese soldier, it (supposedly) has his name, the town/province he came from and more.

I have no love lost for Japanese soldiers during WW-2, many proved they were animals.

But.... they have a place in Japan that will try to connect the flag with the family of the soldier it belonged to. Hundreds of flags have been returned to the family with some touching ceremonies. I might do that.

Anyone read Japanese?

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Attachment 86201

Thanks for that info Grime!

Kind of adds a creepy personal touch.