US Items

U211. USMC United States Marine Corps 1930's Belt Buckle. Good looking and nicely maker-marked private purchase USMC United States Marine Corps 1930's Belt Buckle measuring 2 1/2 inches by 1 1/8…

U211. USMC United States Marine Corps 1930's Belt Buckle. Good looking and nicely maker-marked private purchase USMC United States Marine Corps 1930's Belt Buckle measuring 2 1/2 inches by 1 1/8 inch. See pictures...$ 100.00 (Pictures) U212. US WW2 Dated Waterproof Pistol Holder for Invasion. Good looking un-issued US WW2 Dated Waterproof Pistol Holder for Invasion being well marked and in excellent condition. I have a few available and price is per holder with each example measuring 8 by 18 inches. See pictures...$ 25.00 (Pictures) U214. World War Two Pacific Theater Made Fighting Knife with KABAR Blade. Good looking World War Two Pacific Theater Made Fighting Knife with KABAR Blade purchased from the daughter of the U.S. Navy vet who made the piece or had it made, likely aboard ship. See pictures...$ 250.00 (Pictures) U221. US Air Force Silk Escape Map, Korean War Era, Thailand- Northern Philippines. Good looking US Air Force Silk Escape Map, Korean War Era, Thailand- Northern Philippines from pilot's estate. See pictures...$ 60.00 (Pictures) U222. US Air Force Silk Escape Map, Korean War Era, Thailand- Northern Philippines. Good looking US Air Force Silk Escape Map, Korean War Era, Thailand- Northern Philippines from pilot's estate. See pictures...$ 60.00 (Pictures) U223. US Air Force Silk Escape Map, Korean War Era, Mongolia- Northeast China. Good looking US Air Force Silk Escape Map, Korean War Era, Mongolia- Northeast China from pilot's estate. See pictures...$ 60.00 (Pictures) U224. US Air Force Silk Escape Map, Korean War Era, Black Sea- Alps. Good looking US Air Force Silk Escape Map, Korean War Era, Black Sea- Alps from pilot's estate. See pictures...$ 60.00 (Pictures) U225. US Air Force Silk Escape Map, Korean War Era, Black Sea- Alps. Good looking US Air Force Silk Escape Map, Korean War Era, Black Sea- Alps from pilot's estate. See pictures...$ 60.00 (Pictures) U226. US Air Force Silk Escape Map, Korean War Era, Black Sea- Alps. Good looking US Air Force Silk Escape Map, Korean War Era, Black Sea- Alps from pilot's estate. See pictures...$ 60.00 (Pictures) U227. World War Two US STAFF OBSERVER Wings. Good looking World War Two US STAFF OBSERVER Wings measuring 3 1/4 inches wide. See pictures...$ 95.00 (Pictures) U228. World War Two 98TH DIVISION "IROQUOIS" Badge, Numbered. Good looking World War Two 98TH DIVISION "IROQUOIS" Badge, Numbered. See pictures...$ 75.00 (Pictures) U229. World War One Fourth Liberty Loan Badge, Numbered. Good looking World War One Fourth Liberty Loan Badge, Numbered, measuring 1 5/8 inches by 1 1/8 inches. This bond was issued in 1918 and paid off in 1938. See pictures...$ 125.00 (Pictures) U230. World War Two "POLAND FIRST TO FIGHT STILL STANDING" Tag. Nice looking World War Two "POLAND FIRST TO FIGHT STILL STANDING" Tag measuring 5.1 by 3.5cm. See pictures...$ 20.00 (Pictures) U234. "1940 FORWARD" Belt Buckle, Made in Hong Kong. Interesting "1940 FORWARD" Belt Buckle, Made in Hong Kong measuring 2 by 1 1/4 inches appearing to be for a US military pants belt. See pictures...$ 50.00 (Pictures) U235. 1779-1929 General Pulaski Medal. Nice looking 1779-1929 General Pulaski Medal. See pictures...$ 75.00 (Pictures) U236. Slovak American Organization Badge. Interesting Vintage Slovak American Lapel Badge. See pictures...$ 45.00 (Pictures) U238. WW1 US War Service Ship Building Badge. Good looking WW1 US War Service Ship Building Badge measuring 2 1/4 by 1 3/4 inches being numbered on the reverse. See pictures...$ 50.00 (Pictures) U240. WW2 Vintage US Army Master Sergeant Bank. Great looking WW2 Vintage US Master Sergeant Bank measuring 11 inches high having being made of a composite material and well painted and constructed. See pictures...$ 150.00 (Pictures) U241. WW1 US War Service Ship Building Badge, Miniature Version. Good looking WW1 US War Service Ship Building Badge, Miniature Version measuring approximately 1 inch by 3/4 inches being numbered on the reverse. See pictures...$ 35.00 (Pictures) U244. 1910 Swastika Good Luck Token. Good looking bronze 1910 Swastika Good Luck Token. See pictures...$ 45.00 (Pictures) U247. 1958 Certificate/Sign from US Base at Dachau. Interesting 1958 Certificate/Sign from US Base at Dachau measuring 18 by 23 inches. See pictures...$ 50.00 (Pictures) U248. Large WW2 Admiral Halsey US Poster. Nice looking Large WW2 Admiral Halsey US Poster measuring 30 by 40 inches mounted on stiff board. See pictures...$ 150.00 (Pictures) U253. Destroyer Division 601 Bronze Plaque. This Destroyer Division 601 Bronze Plaque measures 8 inches in diameter. See pictures...$ 50.00 (Pictures) U254. WW2 AMERICAN WOMEN'S VOLUNTARY SERVICES Badge. Good looking WW2 AMERICAN WOMEN'S VOLUNTARY SERVICES Badge measuring 2 3/4 inches by 2 inches. See pictures...$ 50.00 (Pictures) U255. WW1 Private Purchase Patriotic Belt Buckle. Good looking WW1 Private Purchase Patriotic Belt Buckle. See pictures...$ 50.00 (Pictures) U256. WW1 Private Purchase Patriotic Belt Buckle. Good looking WW1 Private Purchase Patriotic Belt Buckle. See pictures...$ 50.00 (Pictures) U259. WW2 Utica 1943 Dated M3 Blade Marked Knife with Custom Grip. Nice looking WW2 Utica 1943 Dated M3 Blade Marked Knife with Custom Grip showing use in good condition with its original M8 scabbard. See pictures...$ 250.00 (Pictures) U263. US WW1 Victory Plate. Nice looking US WW1 Victory Plate measuring 18cm/ 7 inches in diameter. See pictures...$ 50.00 (Pictures) U264. Vietnam Mobile River Force 9th Signal Co. Veteran Group. Nice small Vietnam Mobile River Force 9th Signal Co. Veteran Group consisting of a vintage shield from a plaque (not a modern copy) that was modified for wear and a Vietnamese vintage made unit insignia for the 9th Signal Co. See pictures...$ 195.00 (Pictures) U266. 1908 US Naval Fleet Visit To Japan Medal. Nice 1908 US Naval Fleet Visit To Japan Medal. See pictures...$ 250.00 (Pictures) U268m. United States Air Force Airplane Decal Insignia. Nice United States Air Force Airplane Decal Insignia being a recent find having been in storage for years being constructed in three parts that are then applied to the airplane to form the correct design. This pattern with the red stripe at the bars was introduced in 1947 when the Air Force was formed, having been the Army Air Corps prior to that. I have a few of these insignia and they would make a great display framed. These pieces were manufactured by the Minnesorta Mining & Manufacturing Company under the Scotchcal Brand label and date to the 1950's. The circle measures 22 1/2 inches in diameter and the length when the bars are included is 43 inches. I have shown photos of a few examples with each being in excellent condition having creases from storage and other minor storage wear and the price is per shield/insignia. See pictures...$ 250.00 (Pictures) U269. Middletown, New York Fireman's Badge. Vintage Middletown, New York Fireman's Badge being nicely marked on the reverse. See pictures...$ 85.00 (Pictures) U271. Personalized Pair of Fireman's Badges, Boston FD and Cambridge FD to Same Person. Nice looking vintage Personalized Pair of Fireman's Badges, Boston FD and Cambridge FD to Same Person having the person's initials on the front and the Boston badge having the full information on the reverse. See pictures...SOLD (Pictures) SOLD U276. Vintage I.R.T. CO. ENGINEERING DEPT. Badge. Good looking and well-marked Vintage I.R.T. CO. ENGINEERING DEPT. Badge measuring 2 inches in diameter. The Interborough Rapid Transit Company (IRT) was the private operator of the original underground New York City Subway line that opened in 1904, as well as earlier elevated railways and additional rapid transit lines in New York City. The IRT was purchased by the City in June 1940. See pictures...$ 195.00 (Pictures) U277. Vintage METROPOLITAN STREET RAILWAY CO. CONDUCTOR INSTRUCTOR Badge. Good looking and well-marked Vintage METROPOLITAN STREET RAILWAY CO. CONDUCTOR INSTRUCTOR Badge measuring 2 1/2 inches by 1 3/4 inches. See pictures...$ 395.00 (Pictures) U278. United Aircraft Corp Pratt and Whitney Plant Badge. Good looking United Aircraft Corp Pratt and Whitney Plant Badge missing the catch and showing a fair amount of wear measuring 1 1/4 inches by 1 3/4 inches. See pictures...$ 45.00 (Pictures) U279. Eastern Mass Vintage Bus Company Cap Badge. Good looking Eastern Mass Vintage Bus Company Cap Badge measuring 2 1/4 inches by 2 3/4 inches. See pictures...$ 65.00 (Pictures) U281. Vintage Dover City Cab Cap Badge. Good looking Vintage Dover City Cab Cap Badge. See pictures...$ 50.00 (Pictures) U283. U.S. WW2 Sweetheart Tank Badge. Nice looking U.S. WW2 Sweetheart Tank Badge measuring 2 1/4 inches by 1 1/2 inches. See pictures...$ 45.00 (Pictures) NEW SOLD U284. U.S. WW2 Sweetheart Pin. Nice looking U.S. WW2 Sweetheart Pin measuring 2 1/4 inches by 2 1/4 inches. See pictures...$ 75.00 (Pictures) NEW

The Appeal of US Militaria

Collectors of military antiques often find that items from the United States armed forces offer a particularly rich field. From the early days of the republic through the World Wars and into the Cold War, US forces have been equipped with a wide array of distinctive items that reflect both technological innovation and the personal stories of the men and women who served. Whether it is a finely detailed belt buckle from the Marine Corps of the 1930s or a silk escape map carried by a pilot during the Korean War, each piece carries a tangible connection to history.

One of the attractions of US items is their variety. Unlike some nations that standardized heavily, the US military often allowed private purchase items, especially for officers or for use off duty. This has resulted in a wealth of different patterns, manufacturers, and personalized touches that make collecting endlessly interesting. The items listed above represent just a small sample of the types of pieces that come onto the market, each with its own story waiting to be researched.

Authenticity and Research

As with any field of militaria, the collector must be vigilant about authenticity. The US items market includes many reproductions and fantasy pieces, so it is essential to study genuine examples and consult reference materials. Look for correct markings, appropriate materials for the period, and signs of age that are consistent with the item's history. For example, a World War Two waterproof pistol holder should exhibit the correct stamping and materials, while a silk escape map should be printed on the proper type of silk and show appropriate wear.

Research is a key part of the hobby. Many items, such as numbered badges or medals, can be traced through official records, adding immense historical value. Online forums, collector clubs, and reference books are invaluable resources for learning the nuances of different periods and items. Always ask questions about provenance when purchasing, and be wary of items that seem too good to be true.

Types of US Items Featured

The items on this page span several popular categories of US militaria. These include personal equipment like belt buckles and pistol holders, insignia such as badges and wings, and paper items like posters and escape maps. Each category has its own appeal and challenges for collectors.

  • Personal Equipment: Items used by individual soldiers, including belts, buckles, and carriers. These often show signs of field use and can be found in both issue and private purchase varieties.
  • Insignia and Badges: From divisional patches to qualification wings, these small items are highly collectible and can be displayed easily. Numbered badges often have traceable histories.
  • Escape and Evasion Maps: Printed on silk for durability and silence, these maps were carried by aircrews and special forces. They are fascinating for their cartography and their role in survival behind enemy lines.
  • Posters and Home Front Items: These include propaganda posters, patriotic badges, and items from volunteer organizations, reflecting the broader war effort.

Display and Preservation

Proper display and preservation are crucial to maintaining the condition and value of US militaria. Textiles such as uniforms, flags, and silk maps should be kept out of direct sunlight and in acid-free storage or display materials. Metals, including buckles and badges, should be kept dry and may benefit from a light coating of protective wax if they are prone to corrosion. Paper items are particularly fragile and should be stored flat or framed with archival-quality materials.

When creating a display, consider the story you want to tell. Grouping items by period, branch of service, or campaign can create a more compelling presentation. Remember that the best collections are those that are well researched and carefully preserved, ensuring that these pieces of history can be enjoyed for generations to come.