re: My Finds from the Dallas Gun Show...

My father was 11th Airborne in the Pacific Theater and fought all over the Philippines, including Leyte and Luzon.

In his older years he acquired a Thompson Submachine gun as this was what he carried along with his Colt 45 which he brought Home and I inherited.

When he died I took his jump boots out of the back of his closet, where they had been all my life, broke out my shoe shine kit and did as he taught me at a young age. I cleaned and shined those boot to a mirror finish.

And I set them inside the end of his casket by his feet and sent him to his glory with them.

I know that is one thing I did for him that he would have been proud of.

Very cool stuff
I knew some old folks from Michigan named Swierski

Thanks for the replies and stories...

I will answer all questions and posts as I can and will... I am learning from others...

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I'd like to read this.

There must be an online version somewhere.

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I'll try to help.

Cool finds

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of 30 cal ball ammo in original sealed can. My M1 Garand will soon be singing on the range!

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.30 carbine?

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I was going through stuff with my mom and we are trying to figure out what to do with my grandpas war loot:
- nazi flag
- luftwaffe officers dagger (a bit rusty, went through Katrina)
- me in kampfe in German autographed by some small town mayor on a couples wedding day.
Any idea what it’s worth or what to do with it?

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That is a great question but I think the real question is what do YOU want to do with them, and what do you think your grandpa would want you to do with them?

I think the most important thing that you can do is write as much information about your grandfather as you can, who he was, served, units, just as must history about your grandfather as possible. Type and print all that you can. They were his war trophies that he earned. Without his story, they are just items. His story is the historical aspect. Even where he was born and raised. Imho

From what I have read I believe museums would turn these down as they have enough of those items already.

If you sell to a dealer he will break the items up and sell or trade them individually. Which is what I am finding most often, especially with letters home.

I can only suggest that if you get rid of them, try and sell them as a grouping to a private collector to try and keep them together with them also having your grandfather's story as well.


Now as to the values. it depends on the flag and style. The most common was the wall banner. They created 100's of thousands of those. So assuming that is what you have.
These are retail dealer prices.

Flag $200 -$300

Does the dagger have the hangers and port-a-pee? If not.

Dagger $300 - $500 depending on maker and condition.

Mein Kamph- $125

I hope that I was able to help you somehow.
Do you have any pictures of your grandfather, his uniform, letters etc?

would be cool to track down the owner of the officers guide and see if family is still around

Awesome stuff. Thanks for posting