UBB.threads Forums General Militaria United States Militaria Flea Market finds

Well over the last two weekends here the flea market season has begun. I manged to find a few things. But I have surprised at the amount of US militaria out there this year. Competition is getting tough, as there are guys coming in from out of state, as well as the local guys paying early admission ti get in when the dealers are setting up. And with the internet, many dealers have things priced higher than I can even sell them for.

I bought a 90th Division 4 pocket Tunic & his WIA Purple heart medal that still had the paper on it from when he sent it home. I found a 5th Army Divisional unit flag that made me very happy, a VN era armored crew helmet, a few US helmet liners, a few bags of divisional patches, some web gear, a AAF survival machette, a 3rd Marine uniform, and a cool WW1 era photo of a WWI US guy that volunteered to fight with Poland in WWI. I had to buy a US medal group that the dealer had all priced individually ( that makes me sooo angry...)

I noticed at least 15 WW2 US Civil defense helmets still not selling. I did see a pretty good fake of a US 1858 Officers sword that I think may be a newer Chinese copy, the details were just a bit mushy, and the leather wasn't right at all. But it will fool someone I am sure. I tried to them, but they didn't want to hear it. Lots of uniforms around, some complete, some blank, some made up. You have to be careful with those.

So what have you guys found by you?

Jerry:

It is slim pickings in the even more frozen north.

At Easter, Paul Hogle and I went to the largest military show held in Western Canada. He came away with a number of badges and miscellaneous items, I saw nothing that I would buy.

I collect daggers and the few ones there were in poor shape and way overpriced. I guess that dealers see what good conditioned stuff is going for and think that they are going to get the same for any junk that they put out.

The year before, I had to show one dealer how to identify the maker mark on his crappy Kriegsmarine dagger.

John

I saw guy that bought 2 fake German navy daggers, (Imperial & 3rd Reich) The scabbards looked ok but the pommels were just crummy. There was another guy that had a fake LW sword (I assume he was the guy that sold the daggers)

Flea markets have always been dumping grounds as well as treasure troves, you have to be careful out there.