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AEF reference book list for New Collectors


Chris Miller
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I am new to Militaria collecting and Specifically AEF Helmets/Uniforms. Since joining this forum a couple of days ago, I have been on here reading more than I seem to be sleeping or working! The expertise here is amazing!

 

I've realized I need to better educate myself and not depend solely on internet searches. Is there books our there that any of your recommend me acquiring for building my knowledge AND for ongoing reference?

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There's not much in the way of reference books specifically on WWI US helmets currently. Steel Pots and Painted Steel by Chris Armold have reasonably solid basic information, as does U.S. Combat Helmets of the 20th Century by Mark Reynosa. The two-volume The History of the Steel Helmet in the First World War by Branislav Radovic and Michael Haselgrove is a good general reference for WWI helmets of all nations.

 

These books all tend to rely heavily on Bashford Dean's Helmets and Body Armor in Modern Warfare, which is absolutely essential and easily found in digital form.

 

Don't be afraid to ask even the most basic questions on the forum. There is knowledge here that you won't find in any book.

 

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US Victory Museum

The level of detail that can be found on this forum greatly exceeds anything that can
be found in books; the first problem, though, is that you'll have to sift through a lot
of chaff to find what you are looking for. The second problem is that much of the material
is scattered due to how the forum developed. For example, the DISPLAY sub-forum evolved
before a dedicated WWI sub-forum was added; therefore, early posts regarding Great War
material is still found there, and elsewhere. A third problem is that external hosting
of images was once common (it is now discouraged). Many old posts have lost their images
when external hosting sites removed expired user accounts and photos, thus rendering them
useless.

Many members here would be willing to accommodate reasonable requests (i.e. answer questions,
take additional detailed photos of areas of interest) provided that you are willing to do
a bit of your own homework first. Don't be afraid to ask using the private PERSONAL MESSAGING
function built into the forum; don't post a question not immediately related to the topic
discussed in somebody else's posting (i.e. Don't change the subject.)

I have included some links (below) to some exceptional collections. There are many others on
the forum that I have seen, but forgot to bookmark so their exclusion is accidental.
These links are to photographs of artifacts; for reference material you'll want to search
through world war I nerd's pinned subjects under the WWI US MILITARIA sub-forum.

Happy hunting.

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/319115-my-aef-collection/
http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/218054-trenchrats-collection-revisited/
http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/202524-trenchrat-display-work-in-progress-opinions-welcome/


http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/282189-my-usmc-ww1-room/
http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/282261-my-usmc-ww1-room-part-2/
http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/282548-my-usmc-ww1-room-part-3-belleau-wood/
http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/283700-my-usmc-ww1-room-part-4-1918-1919/


http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/248378-wwi-us-room/

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/20563-my-ww1-trench-the-bunker/

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/13350-my-ww1-uniform-collection/

 

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May I humbly offer my tour of the collections of the National World War I Museum in Kansas City to the above list.

 

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/111707-national-world-war-i-museum/

 

Every time I go there, there is something new, both in the permanent exhibits and the special temporary displays.

 

This, along with other sites in KC would make an extended weekend trip worth your time.

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@ aef. Thanks for the book list and advice!

@ museum Thanks for the links to this amazing collections! I’m not sure I would have looked there. You and AEF are right about this for I’m being the best resource. I really need to set up a bookmark system to help me find things again after they become more relevant in my progression.

 

@ Gil, great post on the museum! Excellent narrative. I really want to redirect our spring break to KC now!

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Welcome fellow Hoosier! You certainly couldn't have come to a better resource than USMF. Tons of information and lots of helpful members with a very deep knowledge base. I've learned more on here than all the books I've bought over the years. Enjoy the forum and welcome to the militaria collecting world.

 

Steve

 

PS---Be sure to check all the pinned posts by WW1 Nerd on the WW1 forum. Amazing posts!

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@ aef.

@ Gil, great post on the museum! Excellent narrative. I really want to redirect our spring break to KC now!

I should mention that thread just showed the US portion of the museum... they have an entire other wing dedicated to the other combatants.

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