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Happy New Year all! Recovering from Cervical spine surgery, in my Bunker in Sunol Cal. Wishing you all, the best for the New Year! Happy collecting! (smiling through the pain! lol)

I picked up this can for cheap awhile back, had a split seam in the front and an ugly coat of "baby jobby" green (only way I can describe it. ) So I decided to try my had at Brazing/welding. After a little work I got a satisfactory bond, I smoothed it out with a grinding wheel on my Dremel tool. And repainted can in German Field grey .

Guys, as stated above.

Guys, This short engagement was recorded in the Ulrich Saft book Kriege in der heimat. These photos were taken post war by a young boy that used to play on the wrecked tanks, what a play ground he had! He is now in his 80s and has recently rediscovered these pictures taken before 1949 but after the war. It shows two of the tanks from the battle although he tells me there were 3 British tanks in a row in column of march and they were destroyed on the North South road that goes past the Hotel Kroepke which is still there today. those tanks were on the road circa 3 to 400m South of the hotel just before the slight bend in the road. The Tiger was further South and I will confirm the locations later. The flak was to the North East of the road described above. The old boy (Albert) has offered to walk the locations with me but he is not in the best of health. I will do it as soon as I and he can. Rich

It's gone quiet on The forum again! Where is everyone?? Well, I will be the 1st to wish everyone a Happy Christmas and Holiday season! Cheers all!!

Guys, been a bit busy and a lot drunk. back to work now! Hope to post more this year, got a few leads to chase down but time is always flying by unfortunately. Best Rich

Hi Does anyone know of a collection of the 8th Army News? My Grandfather appeared in an edition once when, as part of Operation Market Garden. Was photographed handing out chocolate to children from his Bren Carrier. I would be really interested in seeking out if there is a collection of photos that were taken at the same time in case there are any others with my Grandfather in them. I have looked on-line but only come across the same one each time. Any help or advice would be very much appreciated. I have attached the photo below for those interested. My Grandfather is the one sitting in the middle at the back with his goggles pulled up. I love this photo. Regards Ben

I love rock and roll! Let's jam! R.

Hi, I have already learnt something. So the "turtle" helmet shape, of which this of that style isn't it? Was issued as early as WWII. I never knew that. Looking at the elastic version of the chinstrap compared to the later webbing type it does make sense. I have never owned one as the ones I usually come across are shells only and dated quite late. Now I know a little more about their history though they are more interesting. Great job on cleaning the paint off. Truly good work. thank you for sharing.

Only just joined and failed to see this string before asking a similarly related question concerning the state of health of the network. Having been collecting for many years now and, only just finding out about your network by accident. I would be absolutely devastated to find that I have been too late. Been reading some of the posts on the forums and this site definitely is required. Forums with like minded people; are for collectors like the AA are for alcoholics. Collecting is purely for the obsessive and no level of detail or breadth of knowledge can ever be too much. Military collecting is incredibly personal and there needs to be a plethora of sources available like yours. I am so excited that I cannot work out where to start with questions for anyone who is a collector of WW1 items. I was at the recent Detling Military Odyssey show and it certainly looked like collectors are still out there. I think that the Covid time drove a lot of collectors underground to internet only purchasing. I have certainly seen more people out and about in terms of meetings, fairs etc. So chin up and keep up the great work. Regards Camelspank aka Ben

Guys, as stated above.

Guys, as stated above.

Tidied these pair up a bit at work, got rid of the moth tracks with packing tape. Found a coin and paper in the jacket pocket.

I Think this is genuine, including decal any ideas of today's value...very good condition...thanks

Watch this space...

Are you keeping them or are you up for a swap? You know that is my old Bde, back then Div. Best Rich

I know its russian but not what it stands for and who they give it to

Not positive but think its a veterans Commemoration pin for naval service?

I would gladly do it Rich if I was near by!

Guys, lifted this from WRF, good to know these steadfast people are as bent as a 9 bob note! When will people learn not to trust the people calling the shots. Just like politics really? https://www.warrelics.eu/forum/discussions/ron-weinand-820698/

Not surprised to be honest.

Good skills, do you want to come over here and weld my heat exchanger on the gas heating?

metall button with a diameter of 13 mm, on which are: a gear, a hammer and a capital letter N. I'm assuming it's a HJ or sapper organization button. help please... szarski@helmuzeum.pl

TENO, Technische Nothilfe. Rich

Guys, we finally have an end to this ballhawks now and all markets will be open again soon. Can't Wait! Rich

They are preparing the next one......

Very nice… love ‘em.

Hi folks, Ok, it's time to get our butts in gear. As we've always said, FB is a nightmare for militaria, I miss the forum, I'm starting to get it back up to speed. I'm also adding features and articles to the main MCN website, with my old Armourer columns and some interesting militaria and military history articles written by some well known names. I'm also building up content on our YouTube channel too. The website is here to stay, and the forums are here to stay. I was offered a price to sell it, but refused, the MCN has been part of me since 1998, in fact it's older (just) than my oldest child. If anyone wants to help, writing articles, doing videos of museum trips etc. then get in touch. It’s an expensive business running a web forum and we’re still behind in raising money for the web hosting and forum licence costs. I've just paid the software licences for the forum again If you’ve benefitted from the MCN, please consider donating… https://www.militariacollectors.network/donations/donate-to-the-mcn-2023/ Regards, Lenny

Cheers @lach470, appreciated. It's hard work getting people back onto forums sadly.... Thanks @Camelspank, really appreciate the donation... thanks for the offer of creativity, are you a graphic designer?

few more pics...

Newly arrived and starting to put up posts etc. Started off with a donation using the link in the string. I am pretty useless with all things relating to I.T. but I am regarded as being quite creative. If that is any good to you in terms of a skill then use and abuse me. Ben

The Afrikakorpsrat64 has your back, Field Marshall!

Hi, I am an American living on the North end of Lake Konstanz and about 14 Kilometers from the nearest border crossing to Switzerland. I retired twice (military and civilian) and decided to stay here since I had really no roots in the States. I am a hunter and fisher with a big interest in military knives. My most recent acquisition is a Bulgarian combat knife I was able to purchase in Bulgaria. It is one of the blued ones, not the chrome parade version. I have attached a photo of 4 consecutively numbered E. German KM66's I picked up a few years back SS

Hello everyone, I'm totally new here and just wanted to say hi! I am a history teacher and interested in many different areas of history especially WWI and WWII. Just started a bit of collecting but am more interested in "deep dives" - learning more about the stories and people behind the items. Thought I might be able to harness the power of the internet and the knowledgeable people here to advance my research!

I am a collector of all things WW1 and have a pretty healthy collection of items. Based in Surrey in England I am a member of the WFA as well as several WW1 war poet associations. I have previously given talks to Scouts and Guides groups on the Battle of the Somme. I have also presented on my personal experience of being a collector and all the plots and subterfuge involved in receiving items into your home with a wife who not all impressed with another piece of "WW1 Crap". Happy to help anyone struggling to identify something, requiring history of items, and due to my collection I can always post photos if that would help. I have items including; a water pump, screw pickets, rifles, bayonets, helmets, medals, postcards, recruitment posters, ordnance, swords, field gear, badges, manuals, newspapers, ammunition boxes and loads more. So feel free to ask me anything in case I have one and could help with identification, scale, history etc. I am an amateur historian who likes to actually hold the item in my hands and feel the weight, the material and the engineering. I know, speaking like a possessed person. Forgive me as I am excited to have found this website. regards Camelspank aka Ben

Hey Gang. I have not posted in SO long....too long really. Perhaps someone can help me. I picked up this helmet at auction for $30. It's a Canadian/British MkIV helmet dated from 1953. Possibly a Korean war lid? This is not my area of expertise or knowledge so I appreciate any input. Can anyone here offer me some info on this lid. What do you think about the paint? There are some "runs" in some spots. Were they painted like this or kept "dark" (no paint)? I appreciate any info you can send my way. Liner and especially the chin strap are in great condition given the helmet is 70 years old. Cheers! Rob

That looks good to me. I keep thinking about welding as an option and string to the bow. It would definitely be useful with some of my renovation type projects. I tend to rely on epoxy resin for my repairing of all things metal, but welding would definitely be a step up. Was it hard to master, is it anything like soldiering with an iron? You might get some order via the site now as I should think most of us have items that we bought on a whim in the hope of repairing them at some point in time.

@Lenny Maybe time to reshare the "Donate" button again?

Yup.....the first "turtle" helmet was issued in '44 and I believe the only Canadian forces to be issued the Mk.III helmet were those involved in the Normandy landings. My example is the Mk.IV (used in Korea along with Mk.II's and also the US M1....so a real mishmash). My MK.Iv has a differeny chinstrap and liner to shell assembly. The chinstrap rivets are also higher up on the shell. The last model (Mk.V) was the same shell but with a different looking liner. Cheers! Rob

I am no expert but the buttons look like various German, Austrian and possibly Russian tunic buttons. Probably a far greater guru is going to put me straight.

Hi. I am not sure of your personal point of view when it comes to renovation, but I have had a lot of success using this product to halt the drying and cracking. It was recommended to me by someone who renovates old leather Chesterfield sofas. I am personally not interested in full restoration, but I do like to halt any damage from continuing. I would highly recommend it as I have used on a lot of my leather items and it does nothing more than feed and protect the leather from continuing to degrade. TRG Unisex-Adult Leather Renovator Shoe Treatments & Polishes Neutral 300.00 ml. There are various colours, but I find the neutral one perfect for keeping the item as natural as I can. Regards Ben

By the way.....this is what it looked like when I got it. Someone had painted this on the rear (probably thinking it was the front). Using acetone, cotton swabs and water, I was able to get this writing off. Happy with the end result. I think it's safe to assume that this was not related in any way to the military? Rob

Just seeing the responses here, gives me new life and hope. I have been off work and on disability since Feb. and may not ever get back to work again, so my collecting anything new has been slow and and may stop but the spirit never dies and I still have a lot of choice pieces in my collection. Especially my Tropical display.

Cant think of a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than having a cold one and chatting helmets and collecting. Hope you all are well. Would love to see more collections being post! Cheers! The Afrika Rat

Too small really , copper bombs were 24 lb and made of cast iron or steel . that was my first thought too.

Hi, I can ask my German EOD pals if they have anything on it. Can't say how long till I see one of them but should be before the end of the month. Rich

Greetings, all! My name is Ben and I joined the forum over a year ago and am finally getting around to posting. I am in Wisconsin, United States, and my primary interest is in WW1 photography of all nations involved. I'm a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to scanning photos and I have developed some post processing skills to repair surface damage and adjust brightness/contrast issues in originals. I try to focus my posts on quality over quantity so my posting activity might be seldom. I am hoping to share some scans of my collection and might also be offering some items for sale in the near future. Looking forward to sharing with all of you.

Hi. Just joined this forum and hope it can put me in touch with like minded collectors of WW1 Desert campaign artefacts. Not sure whether I have the right "page" ?? Anyway--I'm keen to collect artefacts from the XXCorps advance to Jerusalem in 1917 via Beersheba--Sheria etc. Specifically anything to do with the 60th Division's actions . Thanks---Dave.