whatthecrunchyo's Collection and Display

[whatthecrunchyo]

Gents, I've shared once before but the pictures were terrible and my display was not well thought out. This is the collection that I have amassed over the past year or so. I'd say 75%+ were local picks. The rest are WAF buys. I have always been interested in original militaria (since about 14 years old), but never had the money. Now that I'm 25 with a good job, the sky is the limit! Any questions, please ask!

The second picture shows mostly reproduction items, minus the flag, gas can, and sign. Unfortunately SS stuff is still out of my price range!

[whatthecrunchyo]

These newspapers are all original. Not the best shape, but it adds to the feel of the room. These were one of the first buys I ever made. I definitely paid too much, but, didn't everyone when they started out?!

The second picture shows my rifle collection. Notable rifles, I have a DUV43 G.41(W), Russian Capture K98 made by Mauser with all waffenampts intact and correct stock for the year, and an M1 Garand. The G.41 is a woodwork find. All matching, non-duffle cut, only missing magazine. Beautiful!

Note: that's my grandfather's chair! He died when I was 2 years old and was a WWII Navy veteran.

[whatthecrunchyo]

Now onto the good stuff. This display case holds all of my "goodies." The tunic up top started it all a year ago. Due to my financial situation, I thought it would be good to buy a high priced item, so I bought an original M40 tunic with 36 collar from WAF member TONYGANZ. It's simple, but a good one! It is still lacking a mint EK1 on the pocket.

Note: The wire helmet is a repainted original.

[whatthecrunchyo]

This photo shows my three helmets. I've had more, but I have swapped them. The middle helmet is my first good "woodwork" find. It is a Luft M35DD, size 66 with chinstrap intact. The helmet is rare and valuable as is, but to add to the helmet's lineage, it has the German's name and number on the inside of the liner as well has inscriptions on the helmet rim from the vet who brought it home. Inscriptions include "Ranger" "Cassino" "Italy" and "Jan. 1944"

[whatthecrunchyo]

This is the second shelf. It shows my pistol collection and a very nice original breadbag. I bought the Luger on my 21st birthday. Since I was 16, I had told myself that I would buy one as soon as I turned 21, so when I turned 21, I dropped the cash for an all matching (minus magazine) 1940 Code 42 P.08. The pistol next to the Luger is a French SACM Modele 1935 with Nazi proof marks. This was a woodwork find as well as the next pistol which is a Sauer and Sohn Model 1913. I retrieved this pistol from the nephew of a WWI vet who captured it off of a dead German. That is the original holster and magazines as well.

[whatthecrunchyo]

Another picture of my pistols.

[whatthecrunchyo]

Next shelf. Random stuff. The grenade is my most recent woodwork find. It is in very good condition! It is stamped with a K for "kalt" i.e. cold weather fuse for use in places such as Russia. The rocks I retrieved in my first trip to Europe when I graduated high school in 2005. One is from the floor of the Zeppelin Field Parade Grounds building's floor. No one from the public can enter, but I was on a tour and we were allowed to see inside. The orange brick looking one is from a bunker on Point-du-Hoc and the all white one is from the site of Hitler's house in Berchtesgaden (possibly from the house itself?) The 1916 sawback butcher bayonet was a local find as well.

[whatthecrunchyo]

Next shelf. This shelf shows my bayonets. Sadly, none are matching. The hat is my first and only visor cap. I rescued this hat from a man who found me on Craigslist. He was a firefighter who was hired by a lady in California to do a controlled burn on her house in New York. The house was inhabited by a WWII vet until about 10 years ago when he died. The house started falling to pieces since it hadn't been touched since then. She wanted the house burned to the ground since she owned it and had to pay taxes on it and she knew she couldn't sell it. Before the firemen did their duty, they had to go through and make sure nothing would explode. They found a box full of things such as this hat, a flag, Luftwaffe maps, and GI uniforms. Unfortunately, others got to those things before me, but I was able to get the best of group...the Panzer cap!!

[whatthecrunchyo]

Last row. Nothing too impressive but still some cool stuff. I always pick up ammo pouches when I can find them for $25 a piece or better! The black case is a police dispatch/map case from 1930s Germany. It is marked on the inside and has the officer's name written clear as day in pencil.

[whatthecrunchyo]

Variations of gas mask cans I own with original straps. A WAF member sold these to me for a more than fair price!!

[whatthecrunchyo]

Here is my closet full of original WWI and WWII soldier, sailors, and marines' clothes.

The bottom case shows some odds and ends from the US side. There's about 4 or 5 hats stacked. This stuff doesn't get much attention unfortunately

And that's the end for now. Will post more as I get it.

Thanks for looking!

[Gene]

Nice collection! I like that Panzer visor

[oldflagswanted]

Bravo !!!

Nice collection! ...

Ditto that, and all "amassed over the past year or so."
Bravo !!! I collected militaria for 40 years until 2010.
OFW

[Lou58]

Well done, and its a nice touch with your'e Grandfathers leather chair, the displays look great in the room Yep it's great when you start bring in the $$'s

Lou

[petopoint]

Super

Quite an extensive one year foray's worth. Looks like an excellent ever growing War room you have going. Very nice (and lucky) Panzer cap find as well. Super looking Luger and quite an array of other armaments too. Great job on your display set up. Thanks for the tour.