Friday, April 17, 2015
I've said this before but one of the best things about assembling this newsletter is the history lesson that these items can serve up. Today I learned a lot about early 20th century body armor thanks to eBay seller italianwarfront. If you know that eBay user tell him good job on his write up and pictures!
If you are like me the first reaction to see a handgun clearly listed on eBay is raised eyebrows. From the beginning this has been verboten. However, the one included in this issue gets a pass - click to see how.
The lot of German patches below are not quite as juicy as some of the ones I've had in the Hot Finds recently. But the German's weren't known for flashy unit patches with cartoon characters on them.
Some times auctions in this block are listed from foreign countries and you have to decide if you want to play that game. The Italian aviation cap below is one of those. Perhaps if you live in Europe it's less of a big deal but for me I don't do much buying overseas.
I mentioned it earlier and I suggest if you want to get the full story you scroll to the bottom of the listing to get the history lesson.
I will be doing some swapping over the weekend at a big Scouting event and the weather looks like it's going to be nice. I hope you have something fun lined up too.
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Just when I thought this was going to be a kick-butt week of getting stuff done my daughter got sick last night so now I'm nursing her stomach bug. I hope your Monday is off to a better start but I'm still determined to get some projects knocked out.
In the military category you have to be a little careful when a seller says what you see is what you get. That's the case with the big lot of patches listed below.
There are three watches featured in this German block. I sometimes get into trouble when I include those in this category because there are some good fakes out there.
There are several interesting pieces in this block that catches up with listings in the smaller subcats of WWII.
I don't remember having a cavalry saber in this block before. maybe that is why it's going for $400+ as it comes to a close later today.
I know most of you are not interested in Scouting collectibles but I did want to give you a link to a short video I filmed to show people my antique mall booth in North Carolina that features memorabilia from that niche hobby.
Friday, April 10, 2015
Every week the category totally flips with new auctions and I'm happy to serve them up in the Hot Finds Newsletter. Check out the top picks ending over the next few days.
There are some great unit patches in this United States block. The scrap book page pictured below is from a soldier who was KIA in 1945. There are some goodies in there and it's over $1500 in bidding. You also have to love the P-38 squadron patch that I spotted up for bids.
At nearly a thousand dollars in bidding it's a safe bet to pick the M38 helmet as the German auction to highlight in this block.
When I read the title of the British Airborne smock pictured below I had to remind myself what category I was in. However, after a quick glance at the unit insignia it was clear this was not an American division listing.
I always try and include recruiting posters and other neat art when I spot it on eBay. The USMC poster certainly fits the bill.
I am taking my kids kayaking today to break up the long spring break monotony. The weather is going to be beautiful so as long as their whining stays to a minimum it should be a nice trip.