Wittmann Antique Militaria

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Welcome to Wittmann Antique Militaria - one of the world's foremost on-line catalogs with speciality in German Third Reich (WWII) and German Imperial(WWI) militaria artifacts. Thomas T. Wittmann has been a collector since 1965 and a world class militaria dealer since 1981. Over the years, he has earned an international reputation for his honesty, integrity and knowledge. To date, he is the author of four major reference books on the subject. In addition, he continues to add pieces to his personal collection. With forty years experience in buying, selling, trading and collecting, he knows what you like! The original relics described and pictured on our website represent collector artifacts ONLY. We do not endorse any political process nor are we glorifying history. For those of you who are new to our page, you should be able to easily find what you need by clicking the logos at left. If you need anything, please let us know. WANTED TO BUY We are interested in buying or consigning authentic German daggers, Swords, miniatures, bayonets, helmets, uniforms, medals, documents, flags, armbands and other miscellaneous military relics in good condition. Unlike some of the unscrupulous who haunt our hobby, we will give you actual accurate values of your artifact along with our approximate buy offer, subject to our "hands-on" examination. It helps a lot if you can initially send us some good digital photographs via email. So, if you have something you think would interest us, please contact us via email, phone or fax. We would be delighted to hear from you and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Our address is listed below. NOW OFFERING BACK CATALOGS Now that we are an exclusive on-line catalog, many collectors have expressed their desire for copies of back catalog issues. Those catalogs, known as, The Wittmann Offering, were highly regarded by collectors because of the in-depth descriptions and outstanding color photography. In the event your library of Wittmann Offerings lacks,please let us know which issues you need. We have most of them and for the small price of $7.50 plus $3.50 US airmail, you can, too. Just call, write or email us and specify which one you need. Please don't ask us "which one had that beautiful Hunting Cutlass" or "you know, the one with the fantastic Honor Dagger on the cover," as we don't know which one you mean, either! Many collectors tell us these lists are their "Bibles" for the hobby and that they reside in their libraries. These lists help make the hobby what it is today. So, don't be shy -- call and get your back issues today! TERMS AND CONDITIONS We want to assure you we have your collecting interests at heart. We personally answer all phone calls, letters and Email in a prompt manner and will do all in our power to create a collector friendly, helpful, knowledgeable company. Thomas T. Wittmann Antique Militaria P.O. Box 350 / 279 West Main Street Moorestown, NJ 08057 PHONE: (856)866-8733 (856) 231-0323 / FAX: (856) 235-4954 E-mail: Twittm350@aol.com Office hours: Monday - Friday 10:30am - 4:00 pm EST

BACKGROUND

First off, let's start by giving youa little background information on Thomas T. Wittmann, himself.He has over forty years experience in German militaria and isone of the world's leading authorities in the field. He has writtennumerous articles on the subject of Third Reich edged weaponsincluding his own book series. Volume I is entitled, "Exploringthe Dress Daggers of the German Army". As stated in thetitle, this book covers the daggers worn by the German Army showingcomplete in-wear photos and detailed close-ups of points of interest.Volume II of the series is entitled, "Exploring the DressDaggers of the German Luftwaffe" which was released June,1997. This book addresses Luftwaffe Daggers and shows all detailsof the pieces as well as in-wear photos--many never before seen.The third volume of the set is entitled, "Exploring theDress Daggers of the German Navy". This volume has over550 pages and over 200 color photographs. The next volume is entitled,"Exploring the Dress Daggers of the German SS"and this one encompass more than just SS Daggers. Swords, Degensetc., are all included in this volume. Volume IV is larger thanits predecessor and so far, is the most popular of the serieswith about 730 pages and 300 color photographs. In addition toall of this, he has co-authored a book entitled, "Collectingthe Edged Weapons of Imperial Germany". These titlesare all available and can be ordered below by clicking Books.

Tom is always available to answer your questions andyou can call, write, fax or e-mail us at the numbers shown atthe end of this page.

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APPRAISALS

Items valuedat up to $1000 -- appraisal cost is $35.
Items valued from $1000-- $2500 appraisal cost is $65
Items valued from $2500and up -- appraisal cost is $100
Discounts of 10% onmultiple item appraisals. Call for specific price.

EBAY edged weapon appraisalsavailable. Please be sure to send only items in my area of expertice.



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SHOWS TO ATTEND

Tom will be attending the Forks of the Delaware Gun Show at Allentown,PA on the weekend of July 9th, 2004. It is held at the AgriculturalHall, Allentown, PA. For information call 610-997-8613 after 6:00pm.

ALLENTOWN SHOW REVIEW

I attended the Allentown Show on Friday, July 9th, during thedealer set-up and also on Saturday the 10th, something I usuallydo not do, but I'll get to the reason I did a little later inthis review. First off, the Allentown Show, a 50 year old venue,also known as the "Forks of the Delaware", has fourshows a year. It is a mix of guns and militaria and has been formany years a show I usually don't miss, as a lot of good thingshave turned up there over the years. The militaria dealer/attendeeshave largely been unappreciated by the club's directors untilrecent years. I suspect the turnaround has something to do withthe problems gun collecting has confronted during recent years,whereas Militaria (so far), has few restrictions. (Also, someof the older guys, (many who have now died off), considered usa bunch of Nazis, as they lived through and many fought in theSecond War. Guess it would be hard to change the attitudes ofthose who fought the Nazis to suddenly think we were not nutsfor worshipping the stuff the enemy wore and carried.) But anyhow,the new postive club attitude toward Militaria seems to be hereto stay as even some militaria collectors are now on the Boardof Directors of the club. But anyhow, this club never had theirsummer show in the normal facility at the Agricultural Hall atthe Fairgrounds, as this building was not air conditioned. Mostdealers and attendees suffered terrible from this during boththe fall and spring agendas too - if the weather was warm - butall the club could do was to work with fans blowing hot air offthe asbestos ceiling. (My Marie would never go to the show asshe considered this downright unhealthy). As a result, the summershow was held in another town close-by, with attendance and dealershipsuffering accordingly. These problems have all been solved now,as not only has air conditioning been installed, but also an extensionhas been put on to the existing building allowing room for about250 more tables. This has been a great treat for dealers and attendeesalike, as now the old "two table limit" has been liftedand the always crowded aisles are now at least bearable - a hugeimprovement and makes for a much more pleasant experience. (Infact I used to feel trapped shuffling down the aisles pressedbehind or between (or both) some larger-than-life attendees. Itwas often much like the scene in that old Peter Sellers movie- you know the one where he gets into the crowded nuts-to-buttselevator and just as the door closes tight, a stoic InspectorCluseaux is treated to the unmistakable sound of a fellow passengerfarting.) Although the new, roomier facility has done nothingto improve the manners of the attendees, at least now there isusually room enough to run when one's nose senses worse troublelies a short path away. (And, for sure, the guilty party has tobe that fat guy with the flannel shirt, carrying the rifle witha little "for sale" paper sign sticking out of the barrel).The Friday night show experience was quite good as I bought acouple of decent good-conditioned common daggers, two Iron Cross2nds', an HJ armband and a bayonet. If you are a life member youcan get in with the dealers on Friday. Otherwise, there is noway no matter how much you want to pay - I have seen people comefrom Europe and be turned down for entrance without a table pass.They run a tight ship here, although I have to admit the tensionhas been a little less recently as the warden-like show managerhas been out sick for over a year relegated to a nursing home- did one of those stomach staple jobs that almost killed him.Hope he gets better soon, though, as the show is not the samewithout him. (I kinda liked the enforcement of the rules - whyhave them if they are not followed and the proof is in the pudding.How many shows have run successfully for nearly 50 years!) I waswalking down the aisles trying to sniff out potential materialwhen a guy stopped me and stealthly asked if he could show mesomething stashed under his table. It was fantastic. It was asword, being a 100% gold Holler "21" with a damascusblade having raised and gilded dedication - wow! How could I besoooo lucky!!! The thing you have to watch no matter how longyou have been in this business though, is that excitement spicedwith adrenaline, greed, and ego which can pop up when you areleast expecting it. I went for the sword in a second - had tobefore anybody around me could sneak in and take it from me. Youactually become paranoid. I wrote a check for $7500 like therewas no tomorrow. I got out of there not even stopping at the greatestFarmer's Market in the world across the parking lot. (I alwaysload up on sea food and pasta salads, liverwurst, stringed sausages,lunch meat, shoe-fly pie and the like.) But not tonight. Had toget home. Had to make that 2 1/2 hour drive as quick as possibleso I could drool over my coup d' etat in the familiar surroundingsof my beloved cellar. Humility is the best word for what happened.No one is above making a mistake. No one is above an error injudgment. Damn. When I got that sword out of the cheap plasticgun case, my heart sank. There it lay under my shop lights onmy work table. Something was not right. Was it the lighting thatI have depended on to buy and describe literally thousands ofedged weapons over the years? Why was it glistening like a cheapTimes Square Rolex knock-off. The hilt was gold plated, not firegilded. I picked up the weapon. The "damascus" bladefelt so light in my hand, the sword tip was rising on its own.Real damascus is as heavy as lead, not lightweight like aluminum.My eye caught the telltale irregular look of sharpening underthe damascus blade pattern - not on it! Although the blade surfaceslooked new, the edges beneath did not. The blade was too shortand way too thin. The pattern was somehow photo etched and theblade girth was thin because the raised work top areas representedthe original thickness. The permanent in-place leather washerwas frayed and old - not something you would see on a sword inthis supposed condition. Yep, the beautiful scabbard was a repaintif you really looked close. There was that orange peel look inthe surfaces which was impossible to see under the aura I wasin when I first was handed this "gem". How could thisbe materializing before my eyes? I had let everything I had learnedin my almost 40 years in this hobby go out the window.... Whata jerk I had made out of myself. I guess we all need a tune-uponce in a while. I was sick. Because of the large amount of money,I had to take the sword back and hope the dealer would returnmy check. Even worse, though, was the humiliation I would experienceinside. When this stuff happens occasionally (and anybody whosays it doesn't is a liar), I usually just eat it, figuring Ishould know better and that I am a big boy. Besides, you can usuallysalvage a couple of good parts for your bin. But there was justtoo much involved here to take a hit like that. I did not sleepall night and got on the road by 5:30 AM. I got to the show justat 8:00, as the dealers were getting in. There he was. Would hetell me to go to hell? Would he act like he never saw me before?How bad would the belittlement be that I had coming? He was great.Although he said I ruined his weekend, he took out his walletand retrieved my check. I was relieved but I felt like everyonein the hobby was there to see Wittmann groveling. Maybe somebodyhas a video camera and is shooting this embarrassment for allto see? Actually I felt deeply sad for him, as I am sure he gotstuck too. I could tell by his face. Isn't it a shame that thereare problem things like this in our hobby - kind of spoils allthe fun sometimes. But then again, we all need a little lessonand a reminder once in awhile. It was my turn. It wasn't the Show'sfault. It was mine for being too egocentric. The stark terrorsure adds to the thrill, though, doesn't it?

Tom will be attending the Meadowlands Show, Saturday, July17, 2004, in Union NJ. For information call 201-939-8846 10amto 9pm.

MEADOWLANDS SHOW REVIEW:

I attended the Meadowlands Show in Union, New Jersey on Saturday,July 17th. (my birthday). This show is not far from New York City,and because of the large population in the area, it is usuallya fine show. The best part about it, though, is the fact thatit only runs Saturday morning and is all over by about noon -it's good for the seller's as nobody has time to mull over decisions,and it is good for the buyer's in that you can get back home earlyand your wife may actually believe you bought that helmet at agarage sale down the street for $20, and didn't go to a show.I get up at 4:30am, get dressed, have coffee, and make the twoplus hour drive, usually arriving to a crowed parking lot loadedwith open car trunks, secretive conversation and plenty of excitementfor such an early hour. By 7:45am the dealer line has formed onthe sidewalk and promptly at 7:00 the doors open and the raceis on - I love this chase time, don't you! You just never knowwhat's going to come out of a box or a crate. I have seen moreneat stuff at this show and all before eight o'clock in the morning.The tables are jammed into really what is a little bingo parlorcalled a "boys and girls club" for convenience. (Godforbid the fire marshall ever comes in). If you weigh more than80 pounds, the aisles have to be manuvered sideways. If you getbehind a larger person who is looking at merchandise, you haveto turn around and hope to make it through the aisle behind andapproach your party from the other end. I know it sounds all inconvenientand too much trouble at such an early hour, but believe it ornot, it is fun and I usually find stuff - in fact it is a rareMeadowlands Show that I don't spend several thousand dollars onmerchandise - and all in an hour, as I am out of there beforethe public comes in at 9:00 o'clock. To prove I'm not lying, atthis last show I bought an Eickhorn Army and Glider Pilot, a mintRed Cross Hewer, a not-too-bad Hammesfahr Model 1933 SS, an ItalianSan Marco Marine bayonet, an SS Armband with tag, a Podium NSDAPflag, a single decal M-40 Luftwaffe helmet, an Army Portepee anda Land Customs NCO peaked cap. Not a bad one hour's work! A thento boot, a great breakfast at a nearby, Greek-run diner whereyou get a whole plate of bacon when you order it on the side withyour french toast or chicken liver omlet. You also get to seesome of the local broads winding up Friday night with a cup ofcoffee and a guy who looks like he needs to get home. All thisambience and fun, and I am crusing back down the New Jersey Turnpikeand home by 11am. This is a great show and if you like a New Yorkcrowd - they are loud, rude, fat, arrogant - all of this, butyou got to love'em - I do.

Tom will have tables at the Badger Military Show on July 30& 31, 2004, at the Alliant Energy Center, Dane City Fairgrounds,Madison, WI. For information call 608-752-6677.

CHANGE ON THE SCHEDULE

I was scheduled to attend the Badger Show the weekend of July30th in Madison, Wisconsin, but something very interesting hascome up in the D.C. area. For years, it has been impossible tohave shows in the Washington area because of gun law problems.Recently the laws have been relaxed, and all-off-sudden thereis going to be a 1000 table show - half guns and half militaria- in the Dullas Expo Center, 22 miles from Washington, in Chantilly,Virginia. With a population of 9 1/2 million people within a 90mile radius, how can you not go to this show? I was lucky, though,as they squeezed in two tables for me, despite the fact the showis sold out - guess I'll be near the men's room, but heck, I'mjust glad to be able to attend. Marie is happy too, as she hasbooked into the local Chantilly Marriot for 4 days of sun, gormetdining and fun while I man my tables. (It's money well spent,though - got to keep the little woman happy if you want it towork the other way for you. If you don't, you know what happens- you may be consigning that collection to me so you can settleup with the Mrs., a very expensive mess for sure.) Anyhow, I'lllet you know how this show turns out. Should be a rip roarer,for sure.

REVIEW OF THE DULLES SHOW - The Nation's Gun Show, Chantilly,VA.

The Nation's Gun Show a/k/a the Dulles Expo Show turned outto be quite an experience. I had originally planned to go to theBadger Show in Madison, Wisconsin as the people are really nicein that area of the country and Marie wanted to see somethingcalled, "The Dells", which I understand is a bunch oflakes connected. It was a chance to grap a couple of days vacationalong with normal business - got to keep the wife happy. (If youare smart you will too, as you know what happens when you don'tdo equal treatment don't you? Well that's when Wittmann gets acollection on consignment to sell!) But a couple of weeks beforethe Badger Show we heard about this Dulles Show show right outsideof Washington D.C. to be held on the weekend of July 30 - August1, 2004. It seems these two promoters who operate mainly in theSouth, called C & E Gun Shows and Showmasters joined togetherfor this venue. The one group runs gun shows and the other doesmilitaria shows respectively. There had not been a gun show inFairfax County, Va. in over twenty years due to overly strictrestrictions imposed on guns. Somehow, though, these promotersgot the legislators in the area to change the laws when no onewas looking, and wham - out came the announcements for this show.The show hall is located in Chantilly, Va. just 7 miles from NRAheadquarters! There really must have been some pent-up demandin the area too, as that show easily exceeded 10,000 paid gate.In fact the crowd was so huge both days that there may as wellhave been no air conditioning at all in the hall. It was swelteringin the building. You know there must have been a big crowd, asthe air conditioning systems for these huge show halls are designedfor large attendance. I guess the engineers never thought thebuilding would be totally full, like it was. I think the extraheat, however, even added to the excitement of the show. I meanto tell you, if you were a Luger, P-38, or Mauser rifle dealerI think you did real well. I also saw many cases of ammo movingout on carts in front of me, as my tables were near the door.(I had so many attendees point guns at my fat ass that weekend,I was ready to invest in a show model bullet-proof vest - luckilynone was loaded, and as you can see, I survived unscathed.) TheGerman hand gun dealer behind me made a fortune. In fact he madeso much money he became disinterested after the first day andkept telling me to guard his tables while he went to buy TCBYyogurt and socialized with his buddies throughout the hall. Itsort of added insult to injury as I was a little disappointedin the turn-out of militaria collectors, as I only sold two daggersand a take-down tool kit there - a Navy and a Chained SS. Notenough to make expenses - but that was my fault as I couldn'tget off the hook with Marie on the mini-vacation I had promised.You know how that goes I am sure. Since Marie was totally disappointedshe couldn't go to "The Dells" in Wisconsin, in orderto stop the pouting I had to make up for it somehow on this Dullestrip. The show had an arrangment with a Holiday Inn situated outin front of the convention center in the parking lot, but Marietook one look at that and stated we were not staying there! Damn- at $75 a night we would have been all right, as I noticed therewere a few fast food places in the same block, the most expensivebeing an Appleby's. But No - that was not going to be for us......She remembered the Marriot we had stayed in when we had attendedmy nephew's wedding last year - and it was only about a mile away.Double damn. Well it is one of those resort/conferance style placeswith a fancy columned entrance having hundreds of rooms, massivedeluxe lobby, valet parking and dozens of bell boys at the entrancesizing you up making you feel like a piker if you don't let themempty your trunk and park the car. (Cost you 30 bucks just toget to the room before the daily rent clock even starts). Unfortunately,Marie loved it right away with the indoor/outdoor swimming pool,choice bar, two gormet restaurants, (none of which included freebreakfast) and outragious ambience throughout. After having adrink in the "Wellington/Napoleon Battle of Waterloo"bar, Marie decided a three night, four day stay in this hotelmight be adequate compensation for missing "The Dells".(I hate that place and I have never even been there!) So that'sthe reason I did not make expenses. While passing the third andlast night, and after climbing out of the "Heavenly Bed"to take a leak for the fourth time, and spotting the hotel check-outreceipt "conveniently" slipped under my door on Sundaymorning, I knew I was in trouble at this show. Had to do something.So.....there is an old adage in this business, "If you don'tsell well, then buy your way out of a show". There were quitea few militaria dealers who showed up for this event. They allsaid they did pretty good, so maybe it was just me that didn't- I brought all top line, expensive things. Sometimes it is betterto bring all your junk to an untested show. So I hit the aisleswith a vengeance before the public came in. I wound up spendinga few thousand on daggers, belt buckles, an NSDAP flag and a doubledecal SS helmet. At 4:00 pm Sunday afternoon, (you are not allowedto leave early at this show or you don't get tables next time),I packed my display up and balanced it all on my $50.00 OfficeMax folding cart, hoping Marie would be there at 5:00 pm withthe car to pick me up. (I had to negotiate a late check-out timewith the Marriot - couldn't win on this trip - even the maitred' knew our first names by now). Well at 4:30 pm, there was alightning/thunder rip roarer cloud burst, but fortunately it blewover just as Marie pulled up at 5:00 o'clock. My luck was changing.I loaded the car in the ensuing steam and mist, sweating profuselythrough my cotton/polyester MAX monogrammed souvenir golf shirt.I was glad to finally hit the highway where I could once againcontrol expenses except, of course, the fortune in tolls leviedfrom D.C. to New Jersey on I-95. I turned up the car air conditioningblower and settled in the comfortable seat for the 3 1/2 hourdrive back. All in all, though, it was not a bad trip. I thinkI cemeted our marriage for a couple of more weeks of happinessand I really think this "Nation's Gun Show" could havegreat possibilities. The promoters obviously did good, as it willbe held again the weekend after the MAX Show - October 9 &10th, 2004. Don't know whether I'll be up to attending that quickafter the MAX, but will try.

Many of you call and ask me about other shows in theUS. I do not have any info on shows other than the ones Tom isplanning to attend. To obtain this information, you can subscribeto the Gun Show Calendar. The cost is only $14.95 for a one yearsubscription and you will have all the shows not only in yourarea, but all over the States. If you would like to subscribeusing a credit card, call 1-800-258-0929. For other info on thepublication, call 1-715-445-2214. (We are not affiliated withthis publication in any way. The information is provided merelyas a service to our readers.)

That's it for now. Hope to see you at an upcoming show!

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SELECTED FEATURE

I'm Interested

This ultra-rare collection of original insignia is on consignmentfrom a collector who needs to, unfortunately, raise some money.The prices are "up there" in some cases, but it is almostimpossible to find real SS insignia and this is the real deal-- well worth the money. In order to save time, we have not givenindividual descriptions but have pictured two-three items in agroup listing their iventory numbers and prices. Click the photosabove to go to a more detailed page.

If you have an interest in any of these items, call us and wewill be happy to take close-up photos. Because of the need formoney, we would prefer no price negotiations -- great chance toacquire unconditionally guaranteed, authentic SS Insignia.

Just acquired the below coveted SS Honor Ring. Take a look. If you want to know more, click here.

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RESTORATIONSERVICES AVAILABLE

The following services are always available!

Scabbard dent removal
Professional leatherwork (scabbards)

Or, for additional services and FREE ESTIMATES, call(856) 866-8733 or fax (856) 235-4954.

Many of you already know we have discontinued the beloved WittmannOffering.
For more information on how and why we made the decision to discontinue,read the WittmannBanter.

Video #1 - HONOR& S/A HIGH LEADER DAGGERS.
Video #2 - S/A E.M.DAGGERS
Video #3 - CHAINEDNSKK & E.M. DAGGERS
Video #4 - SS DAGGERTYPES
Video #5 - EICKHORNFIELD MARSHALL SERIES SWORDS
Video #6 - DIPLOMATICDAGGERS AND SWORDS
Video #7 - HUNTING/FORESTRYCUTLASS AUTHENTICITY
Video #8 - IMPERIALNAVAL DAGGER LECTURE
Video #9 - FOOTSTEPSOF DER FUHRER VOLUME I
Video #10 - FOOTSTEPSOF DER FUHRER VOLUME II

For more information on these videos please contactus .

A four-piecedagger take-down kit which will dismantle your dagger
A tube of semi-chromefor cleaning your dagger
A four-pocketdagger storage bag for proper storage
"The CollectorsHandbook of WWII German Daggers" to help you with identificationof daggers
Footsteps of DerFuhrer, Volume I to give you an overview of the history of thehobby
Flyers and advertisements

Of course, with anything you buy from Mr. Wittmann,comes his technical support. Just call or write us. He answersall mail!!

Thomas T. Wittmann Antique Militaria, P.O. Box 350/ 279 West Main Street, Moorestown, NJ 08057-0350