I recently visited an old friend in Europe who has a pretty extensive collection of artifacts in his small home. He began collecting them as a child during the war, befriending soldiers on both sides and benefitting from their generosity.

He also made arrangements for me to visit a farmer friend of his who collects many larger items that he keeps in a barn and in his “back yard”, who graciously allowed me to take photos of some of the displays. I’ve attached a few.

And a few more...

and finally....

!!!! Wow!!!

Many a museum does not have these type of items. With the ammo, enough to start your own little war. Thanks for sharing. James

very and a sizable collection to boot!...

Very nice thanks for sharing!

Wow, fantastic! Are the helmets and smocks and stuff authentic too?

That's what I call collecting

What a fantastic collection !!!! I wonder how all those US artillery pieces got loose from their owners ????

If the collection is open to the public, could you please give a location?
Many thanks

Not as cool as the tanks

But you could uses these to check out a hot girl in another STATE!!

I suppose you could use this if you had a hot girl in ANOTHER STATE!!! HAHA




I ran across this on the IMA website.

3,000 bones.. but there cant be that many of them..



http://www.ima-usa.com/product_info....oducts_id/3045

Original Item: Never before offered! Purchased in a Government bid by IMA in 1996 these are absolutely amazing and super rare. Who remembers D-Day "Pointe du Hoc", or "The Guns of Navarone"? These are what the Germans used to sight and fix positions on the closing Allied Battleships in the English Channel. Having been stored at IMA for all these years, the time has come for a great offering. Each Rangefinder disassembles into large component parts, these parts come packed in three original WW2 German wood transit chests (included). When Fully assembled it measures over 17 Feet (5.3 Meters)! Masses of markings and dates we have just a few of these extraordinary optic sets. Actual markings may vary but all were manufactured by SOM in Paris for the German Army and of the three we have opened all are dated 1935. Again, these were made for the German Army and are original and dated WW2 or Pre-WW2 Nazi issue and will put the crowning touch on any WW2 Collection. Shipping offered freight collect or pick-up at our The IMA Gallery & Retail store just off interstate 78 in Easton, PA (only 1.5 hours from New York City). Only a few sets available.

Dimensions-
Tube Center Arm: 83 inches
Tube Side Arms : 62 inches each
Tube Overall Assembled Length: 207 inches (5.3m)
Height: 57 inches
Width: 14 inches (top of tripod)

Wooden Transit/Storage Chests-
Box 1 (for tripod)
51"L x 30"W x 15"H
Est. Packed Weight 250 Lbs.

Box 2 (Tube ends)
75"L x 25"W x 21"H
Est. Packed Weight 200 Lbs.

Box 3 (Tube center)
86"L x 21"L x 21"H
Est. Packed Weight 200 Lbs.

What a collection! timothy

The SOM Rangefinder photos were removed, but I got copies to load to the site

WOW