WWII Hot Finds: Top 10 Hot Auction Picks Of Last Week

September 13, 2012

Sometimes the hottest item for last week’s completed listings in WWII isn't even from that era.  Of course sellers try to list other items in the category to boost their exposure.  That explains how an 18th C. Scottish English Ribbon Basket hilt Broad Sword/Massive German Blade ended up #1 for the week recently. This type of sword is characterized by a basket-shaped guard that protects the hand and one of the world’s most identifiable swords during the Late Middle Ages. It is also known as the “broadsword,” the basket-hilted sword was a military sword, termed "broad" in contrast with the rapier, the slim dueling sword worn with civilian dress during the same period.

The Scottish Basket Hilt Broadsword was the traditional weapon of the highland clansman.  This sword was used in battles against the English for a few hundred years and it was an excellent cut and thrust weapon. The blade length of the backsword was 32½ inches with a 6½ inch handle that gave an overall length of 39 inches.  The sword was quite easy to fight with in combat as it was well balanced and a reasonable weight of 2.8 lb.

German Steel Army Helmets are always one of the hottest items in eBay’s WWII category.  Every week in the top 10 completed listings I post, you will always find helmets in my rundown. The markings and the scratches are unique to each helmet and show how these items really saw action during the World War II. This featured Original German Steel Army Helmet had a shorter skirt than the WW-1 models, and the vent lugs were reduced significantly in size. The vent piece continued to be a separate piece inserted into the shell. This helmet utilized the 1931 model liner system made of aluminum with the noticeably square cast aluminum missing chinstrap rings.

Feel free to click on the best selling auctions from eBay completed listings for last week. The number of bids tell you how much interest there was in the item and of course the ranking gives you an idea of how much bidders were willing to pay for each of these top sellers.