Ideal or iconic item groupings?

[kiwitedferny]

Hi guys. I am away from home in Europe at the moment. I've been away for 5 months. Over this time, I've had the opportunity to think through how I am going to 'rationalize' my collection. It's a 'wilderness of free association' - guns; uniforms; equipment; daggers; medals..

It started with WW2 Infantry small arms, of which I have a great many. I need to reduce inventory to minimize the risk that our Fire Arms Laws may eventually change, and full auto and military semi autos might be banned.

In addition, I need to prepare for the day when I sell my (large) house and have space restrictions.

I've been thinking of the 'ideal' grouping - a combination of say, a rifle/SMG and helmet, iconic items specific to the subject, uniform items, medals, specialist kit etc that can be displayed as a 'group'. I have discovered that 'less can be more'..

For example: USMC Group would include - M1 helmet with camo cover; trench shotgun; K-Bar knife; rabbit eared water bottle cover; herringbone twill jacket; Purple Heart medal; USMC Globe and Laurel cap badge; Colt .45; camo poncho.

The idea is to display them as a group, on one shelf, or in one display case.

I'm interested to see what you'd rate as, say 8-9 separate items that would be a 'must have' for the following. It is both 'combat' or 'Dress' items.

FJ
SS
German Heer (early, mid, late war)
Waffen SS
British Army (1942-44)
US Army (42-44)
Japanese infantry
Russian Infantry

Pick one or more groupings and let me know what you think. Or better yet, send pics of your existing groupings.
The 'rules' are - iconic; specific to one specialist niche; no more than 10 items; and something that can be arranged and displayed in a relatively small space (a shelf, or large shadow box).

Knock yourselves out.

[jacquesf]

Ted, funny I had the same thought and went in the same direction. Just focussing on building a representative collection of the Germans in WW2 around spesific focal points. Battles (Stalingrad, Monte Cassino) and spesific areas of combat soldiers, eg FJ, Luft pilot, SS, Panzer, Heer (early to Late), KM (Uboat) and get each group as representative as possible (Tunic, weapon, headgear, helmet, awards pics, etc) in a single display for each. Here are a few put together roughly and not finalised. Jacques

[jacquesf]

Mid war inf combat officer and late war panzer grenadier

[senders221]

Wauw very nice Jacques. If this is roughly and not finalised i am very interesetd in when you finished the whole display!

Nice work!

Cheers

Tom ::

[kiwitedferny]

Ted, funny I had the same thought and went in the same direction. Just focussing on building a representative collection of the Germans in WW2 around spesific focal points. Battles (Stalingrad, Monte Cassino) and spesific areas of combat soldiers, eg FJ, Luft pilot, SS, Panzer, Heer (early to Late), KM (Uboat) and get each group as representative as possible (Tunic, weapon, headgear, helmet, awards pics, etc) in a single display for each. Here are a few put together roughly and not finalised. Jacques

Brilliant stuff! I like the idea of a niche concentration on one battle/theatre as well. Good thinking.
What I have in mind is a grouping, separated in a case or cabinet that some one could look at and go 'Bingo' "I know exactly what this is about."

[jacquesf]

I understand what you are saying, BUT you are going to have the same problem I am having. I have seen your collection, there are many very nice things in there. That equals to many of these combinations/displays that you/me are aiming for. I also have the medic, GJ and then the Vietnam that has to be put together. Not talking about the North Africa and Japanese. LOL but it is fun doing it. J

[kiwitedferny]

Here's a small example of what I have in mind. Obviously, I'd Chuck in a 'Red Devil' Grenade and a Carcarno rifle as well..

http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/kiwited1/media/image-49.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g390/kiwited1/image-49.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo image-49.jpg

[kiwitedferny]

...and here's another..

http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/kiwited1/media/image-48.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g390/kiwited1/image-48.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo image-48.jpg

[kiwitedferny]

And another...I'd add a jacket to this line up...when I can find one

http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/kiwited1/media/image-47.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g390/kiwited1/image-47.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo image-47.jpg

[jacquesf]

Looks awesome and in the correct location and with the right lighting, total mind blow. Superb items in each grouping. I see you are already outside your list with the Italian theme? LOL J

[kiwitedferny]

Looks awesome and in the correct location and with the right lighting, total mind blow. Superb items in each grouping. I see you are already outside your list with the Italian theme? LOL J

I can't seem to help myself...it's a disease, this collecting game...
These are pics I took over a year ago when I was playing about. Wait until I get home and you see the SS grouping...

[kiwitedferny]

And of course, being a New Zealander, I am particularly fond of this one..

http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/kiwited1/media/image_zpsbf07641a.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g390/kiwited1/image_zpsbf07641a.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo image_zpsbf07641a.jpg

[Patty D]

I think it's a great idea you've got there, either for organisation or a particular battle (or both!) would look stunning when displayed well. I'm looking forward to following your progress here with this! Nice work so far

[kiwitedferny]

I think it's a great idea you've got there, either for organisation or a particular battle (or both!) would look stunning when displayed well. I'm looking forward to following your progress here with this! Nice work so far

Yes, it's all in the way the things are placed for display. I have a friend who used to do retail shop window displays. He's a bloody genius at getting proportions and placement 'right'. I'll be picking his brain for ways to organize them in cabinets etc.

[Patty D]

Exactly! Nailed it there, getting the rare and desirable items is one thing, having them displayed properly and well IMO is just as important, and hard, in a way!

Knowing someone like that you should have this cracked, can't wait to see them! Best ones