Page 4 - Nov 2020 JOA

Publisher’s Corner

Militaria Findings
journalofantiques.com

onflict and combat are as old as the story of man. Some people might specialize Publisher
To engage, man needed weapons to attack, and even further within one of these Maxine Carter-Lome
Carmor in various forms to protect himself. The groups. Such “super specialists” are journalofantiques@gmail.com
result is centuries of military artifacts dating back to valuable to the antique collecting Maxine Carter-Lome
antiquity that tell the history and bear the scars of the community because they can often Business Manager
hard-fought battles of their time. tell at a glance when something was made and maybe Jeffrey Lome
Militaria is defined as artifacts or replicas of war, even which company manufactured it. For expensive jeffrey@journalofantiques.com
collected for their historical significance. Such antiques or popular items this is an important resource. Managing Editor
include firearms, swords, sabers, knives, bayonets, Like many collectors, militaria buffs want to display Judy Gonyeau
helmets, powder horns, and other weaponry, as well as their finds to share with others. For those that collect editorial@journalofantiques.com
uniforms, military orders, ephemera, and decorations uniforms and gear, mannequins (torso and full size) Contributing Writer
and insignia. While this is truly a global collectibles provide an opportunity to display a fully outfitted Erica P. Lome, Ph.D.
segment, with back-stories that reflect centuries of soldier, from helmet to boots, rather than a collection Art Director
culture and conflict around the world, in this issue, we of objects. Mancaves designed as bunkers provide an Lynn Cotterman
focus on the objects and stories reflecting America’s opportunity to decorate with flags and photos and ads@journalofantiques.com
military history, from the Revolutionary War through showcase antique firearms and other weapons of war Production
World War II. on mounted displays. Riker-mounts, museum cases, and Jill Montague
Militaria aficionados typically start collecting drawer cases are ideal for displaying, storing, and hanging Judy Gonyeau
because a parent or grandparent served in the military, such items as medals, patches, emblems, and ribbons.
although what they collect and where their collection Militaria items can be found at flea markets, 508-347-1960
goes from there is as diverse as the wars, weapons, and specialty auctions, antique firearms shows, on the Toll free:
trappings of battles that capture their interest. internet, and through specialty dealers and fellow 888-698-0734
The most sought-after pieces of militaria are those collectors. As with all collectibles, pricing varies based
that can be traced back to a specific service person. on age, rarity, provenance, significance, condition, and Fax: 508-347-0911
Often, these artifacts are unearthed after being stored authentication. Forgeries, misrepresentations (“hyped” Mailing:
away in attics and basements for decades, likely found items), and reproductions are rampant, which is P. O. Box 950
and opened, or unfolded, for the first time since being why doing your homework and only working with Sturbridge, MA 01566

packed away after a soldier or sailor returned home reputable dealers and auction houses are so important info@journalofantiques.com
from war. when adding an investment piece to your collection.
UPS and FedEx
Collectors of militaria love to know the story of the For a look at what some prized Militaria items are Shipping Address:
soldier who owned the piece. When the person who going for these days at auction, turn to Bruneau & 46 Hall Road
possessed the item is known, dealers and collectors Company’s newly appointed Director of Historic Sturbridge, MA 01566
refer to this as “identified.” Identified artifacts with Arms & Militaria Joel Bohy’s article on page 38.
verifiable histories often command premium prices. In this issue, we also explore the practical beauty of Journal of
Focusing on an individual is one popular and inter- powder horns during the Revolutionary War, the use Antiques and Collectibles
esting way to build a militaria and firearms collection. of Coleman stoves by soldiers in World War II, the is published monthly in digital
and quarterly in print by
Typically seeded with found items from an individual’s history and meaning behind military insignia, the tech- Weathervane Enterprises, Inc.
period of service or an initial investment piece, the nology behind hand-forged swords, and an early toy
collection can then be expanded by researching the company that made toy drums and military drums for 46 Hall Road
serviceperson’s background, military service record, the Union Army, among other topics. Our goal is to Sturbridge MA 01566.
and contributions by including such items as photo- share the history and stories behind the objects we Periodicals postage paid at
graphs, letters from the front, and items related to the collect and to honor the brave men and women who Sturbridge MA.
person’s rank, battles, and war era. These types of took them into battle in defense of our country. We
collections and objects tell a story built around a real thank them for their service.
and specific individual and their service experience. In For more information on starting and building a POSTMASTER:
this issue, we share one such story with Mike Burns’ Militaria collection, visit these informative sites: Send address changes to
article on Granville Stuart and his inscribed The Journal of Antiques
Winchester 1873 Rifle on page 29. http://www.wtj.com/articles/militaria/ and Collectibles
Other collections focus on military medals, ISSN: (1539-5618)
historical weapons (sabers, swords, firearms), military https://www.ebth.com/buyers-guide-beginners-guide-to- P.O. Box 950
uniforms (helmets, uniforms, belt buckles), and war collecting-militaria
ephemera (newspaper clippings, posters, photographs, Sturbridge, MA 01566
diaries, comic books). Some people collect a bit of https://www.liveauctioneers.com/news/be-smart/mili- The Journal of Antiques and Collectibles
everything while others focus on just one equipment taria-a-call-to-arms/#:~:text =Militaria%20 collec- reserves the right to reject any advertising that
does not comply with our standards. The
type and collect a wide variety, or focus their collection tors%20are%20an%20especially,soldier%20or%20sailor Journal will not be liable for any errors or
around a specific war and/or nation. The ultimate %20returned%20home omissions but will print a correction in the
following issue if notification of such error is
specialists are those who collect only certain items from sent by the appropriate deadline. Original
certain nations, sometimes even specific vital pieces of https://www.militarytrader.com/militaria-collecting-101 manuscripts are welcomed by qualified
writers. We assume no responsibility for loss
an item. For example, some specialists collect and of unsolicited material.
study only United States silver and bronze star awards Copyright 2020
and their World War II recipients, or the embroidered All rights reserved
insignia that were stitched on German uniforms and Maxine Carter-Lome, Publisher
caps during the same time period.

2 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles