Ratisbon’s 42nd History Auction

The timing of the latest auction from European heavyweight Ratisbon’s means that this preview is in time for anyone who bought the digital edition of The Armourer (it goes on sale a week before the print version) but for everyone else it’s more a guide to the kind of militaria items to expect in Ratisbon’s next auction in July.

Let’s start with a brace of highly collectable belt buckles, one from the Reichswehr in 1918, made from nickel, and the other a Heer EM/NCO buckle from WWII, made from aluminium with remains of the original finish on the back . Starting price for bidding is

£69 (note Buyer’s Premium on items is 22.5%).

An interesting lot next , with a large collection of assorted medals, badges and pins, dating from 1914-1945 according to Ratisbon’s, though most appear to be WWI or earlier eras and a couple are Soviet, post-WWII. Certainly worth a trawl through the photos to see if there’s anything that catches your eye. Bidding starts at £129.

Next we have a nice collection of ephemera and a cuff title. The group belonged to Gertraud Ruhland who was in the Signal Communications Women’s Auxiliary of the Army. There’s a ‘NH des Heeres’ cuff title, Bevo type, measuring 36.5cm, two post-war documents so she survived the war, 23 period photos of her war service and a nicely framed portrait photo. Bidding opens at £215.

Everyone loves a helmet, but can you afford one? Well, you need deep pockets if you’re collecting those of the Fallschirmjäger. Here we have a nicely worn M38 paratrooper helmet with lining and chin straps. The ET68 marked shell has 90% of the original factory paint in place though there are signs of wear. It was issued with a single Luftwaffe decal which is still present at about 80%. Interestingly, the front has a very early, hand-written document in Italian, which was glued to the shell. It might have been attached as a souvenir by the veteran. Ratisbon’s is certain it can be 100% removed if you decided to do it . Inside is soft leather lining, a maker mark for ‘Karl Hensler’ and the size, ‘57’. A lucky charm was attached to the end of the straps to be worn underneath the lining.

It’s a rare helmet in decent condition so, unsurprisingly, bidding starts at £3,450.

Somewhat more affordable are the various badges on offer. This is a nice-looking Tank Assault badge in bronze made from tombak by K Wurster.

The interesting thing is that this is a rare variant with the grass area cut out, which is more commonly seen on silver versions, not the bronze ones. Nice overall condition but signs of wear and patina buildup. Bidding starts at £129.

To finish with, a Hitler Youth knife with scabbard. The knife comes with a nice clean blade, it is maker marked with ‘M7/12’ and dated ‘1938’. There’s also the etched motto ‘Blut und Ehre!’ The original black painted steel scabbard has an attached leather hanger. On the knife the black bakelite grip plates are with inserted with the HJ diamond. There’s no chipping and only slight signs of use. Bidding starts at £388. ■