When I was a kid, I grew up around veterans, It was like every other house in our neighborhood had a W.W.II Veteran living there, we displayed flags every day watched them in parades, and in general wanted to follow in thier foot steps. My uncle was a W.W.II Navy vet and other than my dad he was my second hero.. He was larger than life and had John Wayne beat hands down.

So you can see why I started collecting "Army stuff" when I was a meer five years old, I still have everything from way back when. As with any venture I embark on I always study books, stories and other materials I can find that cover the items I collect. Eeven if it is German, or other countries.

I read a guide here on e bay where a fellow gets on a soap box about folks who get militaria from estate sales, he's a little wrong on classifying us, I have a business where I liquidate estates, and if I were not there to do it, all of the Militaria would be thrown out as JUNK... I cannot understand how someone would want to sell grand dads army stuff let alone throw it out.. Oh yeah   a word of advice.. If you go to an estate sale and they have a dumpster ASK TO GO THROUGH IT... If you do send me an e mail and tell me what you find... you will be AMAZED.

I once spent two hours going through one 100 yeard dumpster, I found medals American and German, a hand gun sword and a variety of items (yes I have photos)

So bottom line, some of us are professional honest and hard working, I love to help new collectors get started, I do not go to gun shows dressed in vintage militaria and pretend to be from that era or make jokes about "hitlers grandma" while wearing a badly reproduced german army uniform.... Don;t get me started in those kind of people, I know some people who respectfully conduct themselves while wearing uniforms form the past, and I on occasion have worn a W.W.II Uniform while showing my WLA in a parade.

Okay enough... let's see if anyone replies