You'll remember this time last month I posted a preview of items to be featured in the Frontline Auction News section of Military Trader Magazine. Each month I send auction highlight information to our good friend J.A.G., the editor for the fine military collecting publication, to run in the following month's issue. So, essentially, what I send him comes out a few weeks later in good old fashioned, hard copy print form.
Well, as a bonus for readers of Manion's Collecting News I've decided to give you the information early in this electronic format. Below are several items, with descriptions, sale prices, and photos, of some of the more interesting items sold through our online militaria auction in the month of May. I plan to do this each and every month - and could even begin to post more items if there is interest. Think it's a good idea? Post a comment and let me know . . ">
Manion’s May Auctions
Imperial Japanese Naval Officer Emergency Issue Type 97 Kai-Gunto
22" wakazashi length factory stainless steel blade. Silver washed habaki. Brass tsuba with floral motifs. Toyokawa Naval Arsenal stamp to nakago. Wooden tsuka with dark brown cloth coating and gold cloth ito. Gilt floral menuki. Black lacquered wooden saya with gilt fittings. Late war emergency issue swords were only made in the last few months of the war as the Japanese prepared for the allied invasion. Reference: Dawson`s Swords of Imperial Japan pg. 280-281. SOLD $744
Willers-Jena 8X Sniper Scope with Case
Blued steel scope sight with wide post and cross bars reticule. Double claw mount for specially modified K98k rifles. Sharp, clear optics. Original leather case with shoulder strap. Case stamped "Hubertus". Rare and highly desirable. Sold $2500
MG 34 Non-Firing Replica with Lafette 34 Tripod
Dummy receiver with original barrel, trigger group, bipod. No bolt or firing mechanism. Sans top cover. Includes intricate and desirable Lafette 34 tripod and assortment of linked, fired primer cartridges for display. Cannot load or fire. SOLD $2118
Good, turn of the century [late 1800`s to circa 1900] gladiator style helmet, worn by members of the Corps of the Pontifical Swiss Guard. Body of helmet is steel, having ornate brass comb affixed to the top by screw & nut and rivet, red feather comb affixed, brass lower section w/visor [affixed by posts and nuts], and brass guard plate attached to front. Brass attachments hold the bronze chin scales [backed in leather], which are complete but only have a small fragment of the loop that connected them together at front. Some age and wear to finish, light surface patina, red feather comb displays wear. No liner assembly. The unit is the only Swiss guard that still exists, and was founded in 1506. This small force is maintained by the
French Cuirass 1881
Front and back plates. Original heavy polished steel, brass studs along flared edges, cursive maker engraved "Mre d`Armes de Chateau, Avril 1881" and "2eine Caille, 2 eine Largeur No. 9401" to inside bottom edge. SOLD $1673
Luftwaffe Paratrooper Badge – ‘A’ / Assmann
This example weighs in at 34 grams and appears to be a mid-war production piece as some of the eagle die-struck details are becoming faint. Correct Assmann eagle eye with flap to brass/bronze eagle and faint traces of gold wash to recesses. Heavy nickel/silver oak/laurel leaf wreath and two brass rivets. Correct `A` stamp to eagle with faint scratched owner name. Shows honest tunic use with worn highlights and bent wire catch to non-magnetic PB fittings. Bargain Price Start! SOLD $692
