Things we collect...That have a military connection

[doyler]

I think we all have a few yems we all have picked up over the years which may not have a military look to them but are connected to the military one way or another.I want to start the post off with a couple items I have.

 

Pretty plain looking but these are significant items used here locally.

 

 

 

[doyler]

Several years ago I wasnt able to attend a local auction.THere were two of these chairs listed.Then at a local show I ran into a lady who had purchased two of the chairs.They were moving into a smaller home and were down sizing.She knew I liked military and aske if I was intrested in one of the chairs form the auction.I said sure and bought one for less than $15.The chair had been overpainted with several coats of paint but someone had stripped them.Also the back was missing a piece of wood.Fast forward to a month ago and the lady sees me and asks if I would come by and look at some things.Again she was moving to a condo as he husband had passed.She wanted me to help her with some of the items her husband had so I stopped over.She then gave me the second chair to the set.THis is the one pictured.The chairs were both hand made and were two of what I assume were many at one time.

 

 

[doyler]

The chair(s) are all hand made and even the legs are set with hand made wedges.

 

 

 

[doyler]

[doyler]

[doyler]

The military connection is the chairs and the other items were all used at Camp Algona.A German POW Camp that was a main Camp here during WW2 and had a couple smaller sattleit camps in the area.The prisoners were tasked with doing field work,setting utlity poles to bring electricity to the rural farms in the area,help with harvesting of hemp that was taken tot he local factory here to make rope and other work.

 

These chairs were all hand made by the German POWs.Camp Algona also has a hand made Nativity scene which was constructed by the POWs and is still on display to this day every Christmas.There is also a museum now opned whith several displays including an identical chair to the one posted and to the second ome I have.The one in the museum sports a very nice cherry stained finnish.The lady who I obtained these from had offered to donte this chair but the museum declined as they had one example and thats all they wanted.

[doyler]

To add to the story the plate is also came from the Camp as well as the utensils.My dad and I attended an auction over 25 years ago where a small hardware store in a small town was closing.The store was owned by a man who had been a WW2 Navy veteran.After the war he started a lumber and hardware bussiness.At the time Camp Algona was closing and the contents being sold as surplus.The man bought much of the table ware to resell in his new store.The day of the auction there were about 30 of the plates all marked US on the bottom and were found in the stores basement.My dad bought them all and the story told here was given us by the harware store owner.Over the years my dad had sold a few of these at area shows and flea marketswith a typed story detailing the circumstances of the plates.This is the only one I have left and Im sure most others have gone to the four comers of the collecting world.I still have a Mk2 knife and foot locker with the vets name on the lid from the auction

 

 

 

[doyler]

One of the chairs is missing some wood around the cut out heart.The one posted is complete.I am thinking of trying to restore the finnish on both chairs to match the one in the museum.

 

So there is my odd item.Post yours.......

[tsakers85]

I am a Grand Officer with the Knights Templar in Oklahoma, a uniformed fraternal group which uses military tactics in its ceremonies and drill. I have recently begun collection trinkets from our history here in Oklahoma. These include various fraternal medals/jewels relating to Oklahoma Commanderies of Knights Templar.

[doyler]

I am a Grand Officer with the Knights Templar in Oklahoma, a uniformed fraternal group which uses military tactics in its ceremonies and drill. I have recently begun collection trinkets from our history here in Oklahoma. These include various fraternal medals/jewels relating to Oklahoma Commanderies of Knights Templar.

 

Very intresting.Hope to see some of your items posted :thumbsup:

[Austin R]

I collect pre 1950 cigarette cases/lighters. I don't smoke, but I like the look of them and they look great in displays.

[gwb123]

Ron, I have a wooden chair I purchased in Bavaria in the 1980's, assuming it was at least 30 years old at that point. It is similar to yours.

[Dave]

I love stuff that is unique, but still has a military connection. This is a group to John Testrake, the pilot of TWA 847 that was hijacked in 1985. There's a lot of stuff in the group, but the best part are his shoulder straps along with a note that these were the ones he wore during the hijacking!

 

I am extremely pleased to be the caretaker of this group.

 

Dave

[BigDogMilitaria]

I collect vintage baseball cards of Detroit Tigers HOF'r Hank Greenberg. My Grandmother always told me how he rode the same train out of Detroit that my Grandfather did when he shipped off to the Army in WWII. I always thought that was cool and did a little digging and confirmed they did in fact depart on the same day.

[D.A.T.]

An East German guy I used to work with gave me this "trophy" from the "other side" a long time ago, it's a little over 12" tall.

He'd complain and say they were always lacking something, always, but that Govt. (DDR) always had money for thier trophys and trinkets and parades, etc.

[doyler]

Ron, I have a wooden chair I purchased in Bavaria in the 1980's, assuming it was at least 30 years old at that point. It is similar to yours.

 

 

Gil

 

Thats pretty intresting.The POWs must have had a pattern to go by :thumbsup:

[tsakers85]

Very intresting.Hope to see some of your items posted :thumbsup:

 

My growing collection of Knights Templar jewels/medals:

 

[Garandomatic]

SO those are Templar medals... Always saw them listed as WWII widow's medals if the bar is missing. Had one myself, donated it to my local Blue Lodge's museum case.

[Jack's Son]

Several pictures of letters, pictures, a diary and other ephemera from a socialite from Montana, who's uncle served in the Crimea War as a veterinary surgeon with the 9th Light Dragoons, and was present at the famous "Charge Of The Light Brigade". Pity I cannot display his medals that were discovered in the same Montana barn with the rest of the grouping.

 

[Escht]

I collect old British made fireworks, during the war the factories were turned over to related work for the war effort. A few pieces turn up from time to time

 

1941 Pains Fireworks Liferaft flare as used by RAF

 

 

 

 

and 1944 British Army Thunderflash........ maker unknown.......

 

 

[doyler]

ESCHT

 

Those are pretty cool.Thanks for posting them.

[doyler]

Here is a cane I bought at an auction several years ago.It was mixed in with some canes and umbrellas at the auction.I alsomost missed it until a friend pointed it out.

 

I havent researched it but it appears to be carved by a Union Civil War veteran.From what I understand its fairly common to see these remeberance canes or folk art pieces carved after the war.THis one is in rough shape showing some splitting and fractureing of the wood.Im sure it was a well used and well loved item.

 

[doyler]

[doyler]

[doyler]

Owner carved in his name on the handle of the knife he carved on the cane

 

RL Martin