Militaria for sale

Lenny Warren trawls the internet to find bargains, rare, interesting or bizarre items of militaria

Lenny Warren takes a trip around the internet in search of rare, interesting and desirable collectables.

As we approach some sort of normality, I hear on the radio that as a nation we are sitting on huge amounts of disposable income due to the lockdown (it’s not from where I’m sitting). If that’s so, it’s time to break open those piggy banks and splash the cash on some of these top-end items.

Here we have a scarce and seldom found British Officer’s Lance Cap of the Bedfordshire Imperial Yeomanry. From around 1900, it’s in excellent overall condition with a leather shell, complete with silver and gilt officers helmet plate, link chin chain with gilt officer’s lion side bosses and back hook. Complete with its full black feather plume with gilt mount, with its original silk and leather lining. Marked ‘Carter & Co’ to crown of liner. Priced at £4,900 from www.militaryantiques.co.uk.

A superb quality WWII army General’s overcoat belonging to Generalmajor Henke, produced by Holters of Berlin. This company produced uniforms for Adolf Hitler, Hermann Goering as well as other leaders and important personalities of the Reich. Field grey cloth body of very high quality with dark green collar and bright red General lapels. Complete with matching set of General’s shoulder straps, gold and silver bullion on red backing for the rank of Generalmajor, complete with all gold general buttons. The reverse side of the coat is fitted with matching field grey belt with two gilt buttons. The interior of the coat is lined in a very high quality grey silk lining, the interior pocket has a tailors label for Holters of Berlin, also printed with the original owners name, ‘G.Henke’ and with the date ‘19.9.1943’. Research shows that Henke was promoted to Generalmajor on 1 Feb 1943 when he was 66 years old, as a General of Infantry. In near mint condition, with plenty scope for further research. Price on request from www.theoldbrigade.co.uk.

An early RAF thermally insulated flying jacket, better known to collectors as an Irvin Jacket, with a set of 1933 pattern gauntlets. Acquired by the seller direct from the wartime owner Flight Lieutenant Ralf William Brumwell DFC who competed 28 operational sorties. The Jacket is the early two panel back type, so synonymous with those used during the Battle of Britain and retains the original AM label with 1940 contract date to the maker Links, ‘B81864/40/C.I.D’. It remains soft and supple and is completely without damage. All stitching is firm, the zips have the DOT pulls and operate perfectly. The fur is excellent, without loss and with virtually no wear. The original elastic strap is in place beneath the collar and the hanging chain is present. The gauntlets are no less impressive and show very little signs of use. They carry his name and a ‘1940’ date; the zips are perfect. Both items are rarely found in such excellent condition, with superb provenance. Priced at £1,800 from www.themilitariadealers.com.

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