So how did 2015 treat your collection? Were you able to find that gem you've been looking for or was it an off year for acquisitions?

After having a couple of "off" years, I managed to find some really special pieces to fill spots in my collection, so I guess it does pay to be patient.

Finally paid off an Eickhorn HJ Leader which was great. But that was just the start, also found an Alcoso Gov't Official's dagger, a stone mint deluxe Eickhorn Forestry Leader's full rig & a minty 1st model EM RLB by Ernst Witte. I had needed a 1st model for years to finish off an RLB set but a nice one had eluded me until this summer.

Along with the daggers, I managed to find a few rare maker Polizei bayonets including an short model aluminum example by Puma which had a rare type hanger attached to it since the war. Also managed to find a pair of Feuerwehr bayonets by super rare makers. Thanks to all who helped make it happen for me!

The year really got kicked into overdrive when I flirted with a Water Protection Police dagger! Sadly though, it turned out to be not period. But I'm not crying in my beer because it was still a good year for me

Sounds like a great year Billy. Congratulations.

Billy,

It sounds like you did well during 2015. Congrats!

I found several good items during the year but I did great with police pistols. My best acquisition was probably a Hamburg Police Ortgies that I have been looking for. A scarce pistol used by the Weimar Republic period Ordnungspolizei in Hamburg. Of course these carried over into the Third Reich period. I also picked up two, count 'em two, P.38 police pistols. The first one is a 1944 E/F NS Zeit example rig and the second is a 1945 DDR Volkspolizei re-issue rig.

All in all it was a very good year for me.

hi orpo
two great pistols first is the ortiges well marked pistol then the p-38 well marked great to see these treasures . also billy g sounds like you scored sorry about your dagger but better days are comeing thanks all for showing these great treasures god bless andy militarynut

I was just ecstatic to get this very rare Eickhorn hunting knife... not in the best of shape and I did have to get the leather repaired, but I have been looking for this for a long time.

Sold off a few more things this year but did buy a few things. The not collecting I guess doesn't seem to stick. I did get into buying records,cast iron banks and tin toys. But a few things snuck into my life the motor bike man is just not me at all but I love it and the tag mmmmm.... they find me I can't escape!!
Bret Van Sant

Got 25 new armbands this year, 2 of which are one of a kind examples and plenty more that I won't see on the open market for years to come. So I think I did well . Hard to pick a specific favorite though, as there is a few competing for mt favorite

Gentlemen,

Well done all! That's what I like to see, guys that seem to be as addicted as I am

hi billy g
we all here are sick puppy collectors n dealers i dont know about any one else but i just enjoy spending my childrens inheridence money on third reich collectbles and old 1950s cars . like i mentioned here before i am very happy when i buy myself something for my collection or resale guess im never calling it quits untill the fat lady sings so far she hasnt sung god bless all andy militarynut

Short Damascus Henckels to a major in the 5th Jager Reserve Battalion during the Karpathen/Romanian campaign during WWI.

Gary

Gary,

That's an awesome piece, I know how you love those Henckels items!

Not a blade, but an item of contemporary reference I have always wanted - an RZM Handbuch. Massive volume, a mine of information.

Best new year wishes to all!

Barry,

That's got to be a difficult to acquire book. I can imagine all the fun it must be looking over the manufacturers' & retailers' ads in there. I suspect there may even be answers to questions we've had for years secreted within it's pages, if only we take the time to look.

Nice book Barry, I hope I can get a look at that someday, period reference is the best, nothing better in my eyes.

Gary

Gary; I think I will hopefully be booked for a visit to yours with our mate Ted Daly in the near future, I will bring the book with me.
Did you notice the Pumawerke ad. ? A nugget of info' for SS sword collectors; back in 1934 Puma were offering an SS sabre!

Barry

Nice book Barry! What year is it?

- last couple years been real dry for me..

2015!, well, here's just a taste of what I got this year....

Hope 2016 will be good to all of us!!!!

Thank you very much! I was very pleased to find this rare contemporary reference. I had heard of them, but never seen one. Year of publication of my Handbuch is 1935. I believe there is a later edition, but that RZM periodicaly updated the Handbuchs' with new listing sheets as more supliers/retailers were taken on board.

Regards

Oh boy, where do I start! LOL! 2015 has been pretty good. I was able to score two combat police helmets (M35 and M40), A M40 Heer helmet (but sold that one already), a M35 France camo Luftwaffe helmet, an original copy of Mein Kampf from 1940, a Pack ground Rohm SA dagger, a Pfeilringwerk NSKK dagger almost in mint condition, and a bunch of Luftwaffe collar tabs.

I promised myself to slow down a bit in 2016... but that's the same promise I make myself every year! LOL

Fellas, when I look at the pictures you've posted I can tell that your year has been really good as well. Nice to see other collectors score!

Happy new year fellas!

Gruessen,

PF