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A salute to militaria Military collectibles preserve history of service to country

A salute to militaria Military collectibles preserve history of service to country

Examples of militaria from the Great War can be found at the National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, MO. (Image courtesy of U.S. News and World Report Travel)

November 2025

Cover Story

A salute to militaria

Military collectibles preserve history of service to country

by Corbin Crable

With Veterans Day comes an appreciation of the sacrifices made by the military servicemen and women who have defended the country from enemies both foreign and domestic. But what happens to the items they wore and carried with them into battle? Some are kept as cherished family heirlooms; others yet are donated or sold to military surplus stores, waiting to be adopted by those interested in military history. The list of items that find their way into such stores are as varied and diverse as the people who once used them.

Lest We Forget

Lest We Forget

It is a solemn warning or plea to not forget past events, sacrifices, or lessons. It is often used to remember the soldiers who died in conflicts, but it can also be used more broadly for any important historical event or lesson.

Uniforms

Military uniforms can be repurposed into Halloween costumes or used in the great outdoors, whether camping or hunting or hiking. Military uniforms are usually good sellers at surplus shops because they’ve been made to last, standing up well to any kind of weather or activity.

Have a big work project and need appropriate clothing for your big home projects? Look no further than your nearest military surplus store. Old military boots are especially helpful for every activity from gardening to home reno-vations, according to the U.S. Armed Forces Superstore.

“Because of their durability, old military uniforms make great work clothes for chores around the house. Consider using them for landscaping, gardening, automotive and household repairs, and just about anything rough and dirty. Of course, this doesn’t apply to Class A or Class B uniforms,” according to an April 2023 article on the superstore’s website. “Old military boots are great for cutting the grass and using lawn maintenance equipment because they are steel-toed and can protect feet from flying rocks, fast-moving string cutters, and blades. Workshop at the house? Wear the old combat boots.”

Uniforms

Uniforms

Uniforms such as these from the Vietnam War era can find a second life as durable work clothes for big home projects. (Image courtesy of the U.S. Army)

Medals and ribbons

“Military medals are hard-won symbols of bravery, valor, and skill. Each tells a story of a moment in history and a person who rose to the occasion,” according to Collectors Weekly. “As works of military art, they can also be quite beautiful, whether their colorful ribbons bear enameled crosses, metal stars and bars, or commemorative coins.”

As of mid-October, listings of military medals on eBay spanned multiple countries and every major conflict in which the U.S. was involved. Prices ranged from less than $10 to as much as several hundred dollars for a U.S. Naval Service medal from the 1898 Spanish-American War.

And the most valuable medal ever sold at auction? That would be the Victoria Cross. According to Central Mass Auctions, only 1,358 have ever been made and issued to members of the British Armed Forces “for valor in the presence of the military. A medal worn by Captain Alfred Shout for his service in the Battle of Gallipoli in 1915 sold at auction for $550,000. Less prestigious versions of this rare medal sell for around $2,000.”

The flintlock

Spanish-American War medal

This medal, awarded to American servicemen during the Spanish-American War, recently sold at auction for $395. (Image courtesy of eBay)

“Sleepy Hollow” (1999)

Purple Heart

This Purple Heart with case is an original collectible from World War II; the medal is awarded to those wounded or killed while serving. It is the oldest military award still given to U.S. military service members. (Image courtesy of International Military Antiques)

The bayonet

The bayonet

The bayonet was probably first used in its basic form around the 1640s, since which time it has remained a soldier’s weapon and still to be found in the equipment carried by all soldiers on the battlefield. Such a history makes it of special interest to military enthusiasts, re-enactors, and collectors. (Image courtesy of GunMart.net)

The flintlock

The flintlock

The flintlock was invented in the 17th century and quickly became known for their stunning detail, making them highly sought-after collectibles today. (Image courtesy of Rock Island Auction)

Weapons

 

Among weapons sold to collectors, the most sought-after are firearms. Any firearm produced before 1899 is considered an antique. From the musket (a long, smoothbore military firearm often used with a bayonet) to the flintlock, from the rifle to the carbine (shorter arms also commonly used for hunting), gun shows are the best place to buy, sell, and trade these items, whose value can num-ber in the thousands depending on age and con-dition.
Sites like gunshowtrader.com list gun shows by state; no matter what you’re looking for, the variety of antique gun vendors at gun shows have always been a significant feature of such events.

“These people know each other, lean on each other for advice and meet to find that one elusive piece missing from a collection. … Curious about a Colt Single Action Army? Ask Bob. Not sure about this Winchester Model 1876? Phil can set you straight. They can enlighten you in a conversation or reinforce their thinking by loaning the definitive book,” according to an article from Rock Island Auctions, which specializes in antique and vintage firearms. “(This community of collectors) recognizes the importance of a Colt Walker, a Brown Bess or a Spencer Carbine.” 

 

13-star American national flag

13-star American national flag

This 13-star American national flag has its stars arranged in a circular wreath pattern, a style usually associated with Betsy Ross. The stars represent the 13 original colonies. This model dates between 1955 and 1965. (Image courtesy of jeffbridgman.com)

Flags

Hoisted over the heads of soldiers both in military training and in battle, flags from every major conflict since the Revolutionary War have exchanged hands between collectors. One of them is Jeff Bridgman, a dealer of American antiques and antique flags specifically. Bridgman is based in Pennsylvania.

“Most flags of the 18th and 19th centuries were expected to have been used outdoors. This often subjected them to wind and water damage, despite the conscious efforts of their owners. Military use introduced other hazards, of course, and was generally more strenuous. It is for these reasons that flags are not expected to be perfect,” Bridgman writes on his website. “Often times they have the rips, tears, stains and foxing that reveals their age. For many of my clients, this adds significantly to their appeal, because history is apparent in the worn, weathered, and much-loved symbol of our nation. So while condition can certainly play a role in the price of an antique flag, it is far from the most important factor. A level of damage that would destroy the value of an early quilt, for example, can be entirely inconsequential with respect to an American flag.”

 

Military-issued steel-toed boots

Military-issued steel-toed boots

Military-issued steel-toed boots are the ideal footwear for big repair or renovation jobs around the house. (Image courtesy of the U.S. Army)

History in the City of Fountains

These collectible items and more can be seen on display at the National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, MO, the only museum in the U.S. wholly dedicated to the Great War. The museum marks its cen-tennial anniversary in 2026; its latest exhibition, which opens Nov. 6, traces the war’s effects on Paris. And each Saturday morning, guests of all ages are invited to handle Great War artifacts, thanks to the museum’s “Hands-On History” program.

“The National World War I Museum is the world’s most complete WWI collection. Before entering the museum, visitors walk over a symbolic poppy field via the Paul Sunderland Glass Bridge. Each of the 9,000 poppies honors 1,000 individuals, serving as a powerful tribute to the 9 million lives lost during the war,” according to U.S. News and World Report Travel. “Through personal stories, immersive exhibits and insightful films, the Main Gallery offers a powerful, in-depth look at the Great War. Artifacts from all participating nations help illustrate the global impact of one of the 20th century’s most defining conflicts. Visitors overwhelmingly agree that this museum is a national treasure that brings history to life.”

For more information, visit www.theworldwar.org.

 

 

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