This episode provides a fascinating glimpse into the world of military antique collecting. Dave from Military Antiques Toronto shares his experience unloading an extensive World War I collection, including helmets, uniforms, books, and even a model DC3C passenger plane. He highlights exceptional pieces like a British First War helmet with a division patch, a US World War I helmet, and various military decorations.

The speaker also discusses acquiring a large collection of World War I and II military uniforms, headgear, and accessories from various regiments like the 123rd Battalion Royal Grenadiers, Royal Canadian Artillery, and Canadian Women's Army Corps. They highlight the historical significance and condition of these artifacts.

Additionally, the speaker examines items like a World War II kilt cover, flight suits, officer tunics, and a World War I pilot's uniform, emphasizing the importance of verifying authenticity and ownership. They also discuss the challenges of identifying genuine items versus costume replicas or fakes.

Overall, the episode offers insights into the meticulous process of researching, preserving, and appreciating these invaluable pieces of military history, showcasing the passion and expertise of collectors like Dave and the speaker.

Transcript

Hi, I'm Dave from Military Antiques Toronto, and today we're doing an unload of the massive World War I collection I just purchased. So the backstory is a lady calls me up and says that she's got her husband's collection. Fine, no problem. I hear this all the time. There's a little bit of stuff, 50 badges, 50 books, whatever. Yeah, not this time. So I go out, it's about an hour out of town. I show up. And there's a lot of stuff. I certainly didn't expect this much. I know you hear this a lot, but really, I didn't. So nothing special here. It's an empty trunk. So whatever. Right. I'll put that off to the side. So there's a First War helmet, British, no divno div patch, oh I lied there's a div patch, sorry.

Engineers, first div, that's exceptional, still with the liner and the chin strap, that's a great piece to pass off. Part of a mannequin. Dismounted pattern canteen. As you can tell, they had cats. So off we go with that. Another first floor helmet. This one with chin straps come off the side. What's for it? Let's see. And a div patch. I'll have to look that up in my book to figure out which one that one is. But, you know, they're not so common anymore. Fourth division, I'm told by my everknowing informant. Seabroad Arrow Field Radio. Sorry, Field Phone.

I didn't even really look at it too well I just bought it I assume it's I would assume it'sI would assume it's World War two but it probably isn't it's probably World War one nicely marked yeah see what else is ityeah see what else is in there of course I can't get it open oh well leave it for now doesn't matter off to the next thingthis relates to a uniform which is in here to a nurse us with her uniform and her hat and everything this is piece of paper framed for a uniform that's in here to a guy named possmore from the rural grenadiers 123rd battalion his uniform's in here this i'm not sure that's the woman's nursing uniform that's in here there's some paperfor silver cross Woman.

Go to Vimy it says from the Evening Telegram. There's that and there's one more picture and that's voluntary aid detachment. I don't know as I looked at it. 43rd Hance voluntary aid detachment. Unfortunately the picture could use better shape but it is what itpicture could use better shape but it is what it is. So I don't believe she's in there because it's all guys, but that's okay. So pass that up and out. Helmet bag, probably nothingnothing in it. It honestly didn't look when I purchased it. Yeah, nothing in it. Flyers helmet bag for a bone dome. Dome. Bunch of books. Books and books and books. Well, this is a manual.

Yeah, some of these are okay. Some of them I have in huge quantity because I sell a lot of books. All right, I'll put that out to the side because it's too heavy to hold. What do we got?That is a U. S US World War I helmet. You canYou can tell it's US because of the pop rivet there, whereas the British ones use a split pin. But it's in very nice condition. Tie wrapped around a very interesting pith helmet. So this isa very interestingis made in South Africa. Interesting. Okay. I don't know if it'sif it's marked, but it is what it is. There's a little horn tie around it. Set it up.

Some U. S. decorations. Bronze star. And a Meritorious Service Medal. Both from the games. That's that. Once they ran into paying attention. There you go. And some more books. Some books and books and books. And more books. Oh, that's good. 59th Tiger Group. Okay. Yeah, there's some good books again regimental history for the uh from ridou to the rhine what was thatthat i couldn't get that out. Nothing special. Carry on. Right. Couple of just form dummies.