Table of contents for August 2020 in Military Trader

THE 2020 MAX SHOW HAS BEEN CANCELLED BREAKING NEWS FROM THE OVMS: “It is with sincere regret that we announce that the 2020 MAX Show in York, Pa., has been cancelled due to restrictions related to the COVID-19 virus. Particularly, the social distancing requirements would have forced us to either drastically reduce the size of the show or move it to several different locations around the fairgrounds. “If you have tables reserved for this show, they will automatically roll over to the 2021 show. You will lose nothing. If you have rented hotel rooms, you will need to cancel them, ASAP. “Keep your eyes open to the OVMS website, Facebook page, and the “JUST THE FACTS” newsletter for all the most up-to-date and factual information. Do not listen to rumors,…

What is the best or favorite piece of militaria you have added to your collection? Is there an interesting story about how you found it, or maybe the history of the item is a story in itself you want to tell? Whatever it is that makes that object special to you, we want to share your story! Tell us about your ‘favorite find’ in up to 1,000 words and 3-4 photos (high resolution, 600 pixels x 900 pixels minimum). Email your tale and images to: jadams-graf@aimmedia.com (write “Favorite Find” in the subject line) or send via regular post to Military Trader: Attn: John Adams-Graf, Editor, 901 Fourth St., Suite 50, Hudson, WI 54606. Your story will reach thousands of like-minded collectors and enthusiasts who read Military Trader and frequent our…

ORDER OF THE CHRYSANTHEMUM $15,000-35,000 (set) ORDER OF THE PAULOWNIA SUN $10,000-11,800 ORDER OF THE RISING SUN 1st Class $3500-4500 2nd Class $1875-2400 3rd Class $650-1250 4th Class $300-360 5th Class $245-350 6th Class $240-340 7th Class $45-65 8th Class $35-50 ORDER OF THE GOLDEN KITE 1st Class $7500+ 2nd Class $4500-5500 3rd Class $4000-5000 4th Class $850-1200 5th Class $575-725 6th Class $195-225 7th Class $125-250 ORDER OF THE SACRED TREASURE 1st Class $1700-1880 2nd Class $1200-1450 3rd Class $335-650 4th Class $190-300 5th Class $175-275 6th Class $160-250 7th Class $65-115 8th Class $50-75 MANCHUKO ORDER OF PILLARS OF STATE 1st Class $3500-6000 2nd Class $2000-2800 3rd Class $1300-2000 4th Class $700-1200 5th Class $550-700 6th Class $260-300 7th Class $150-250 8th Class $120-225…

Look for more information in the advertisements in this issue of any show listings in bold and italics. Support our advertisers, they support the hobby! Confirm all information with show promoter before traveling. The time, dates, and/or location may have changed! SHOWS July 17-18. GA, Marietta. Atlanta Antique Gun and International Military Show. IAMAW Local 709 Union Hall, 1032 S. Marietta Parkway, Fri. 12-5pm, Sat. 9-4pm. Carolina Trader Promotions 704-282-1339; Richard@ thecarolinatrader.com; www.TheCarolinaTrader.com July 18-19, WV, Morgantown. Morgantown Gun Show, Mylan Park Expo Center. Info: Showmasters Inc., PO Box 10277, Blacksburg, VA 25062; 540.951.1344; info@ showmastersgunshows.com; www.showmastersgunshows.com July 18-19, MN, Lakeville. Military Collectables-Gun & Knife Show, Lakeville Haase Arena 8525 215th St W. Info: Crocodile Productions, Inc., Matthew Cooklock; 763-898-9474 July 19, MA, Boxboro. Militaria Show, Boxboro Regency Hotel. Info:…

HAS YOUR COLLECTING FOCUS CHANGED? When I was a kid of about 9 years old, I had to make my first hard collecting decision. I wanted a new toy musket — one that had a real ramrod and the ability to fire caps. I found it in the toy department of the local hardware store. It carried a $7.98 price tag. I had no money — but I did have assets. WAS IT A GOOD DEAL? Over the previous couple of Christmases, Santa had left me with a couple of very neat military play sets: an Indian War “Fort Apache” and a WWII “Battleground.” The former was a great mix of cavalrymen and Plains warriors fighting over the possession of plastic stockade fort. The latter had several half-tracks, Panthers, Shermans,…

“WHATIZIT?” is a place where collectors can share their collective knowledge with each other. If you have an item you want identified, or you can share information about one of the items pictured here, write to WHATIZIT, c/o Military Trader, 5225 Joerns Dr., Suite 2, Stevens Point, WI 54481 or email: JAdams-Graf@aimmedia.com. If replying to a “Whatizit?” be sure to include the item number in your response. Only send duplicate photos. All submissions become property of Active Interest Media and may be considered for inclusion (with proper credit) in other features.…

Prior to the Russian Revolution in 1917, one of Imperial Russia’s highest military decorations was the Order of St. George. From the time of Catherine the Great, it had been awarded for bravery in the line of battle. When the Bolsheviks came to power in 1917, however, they abolished the award, only to be revived by the Russian Federation. Today, it is, again one, of the highest honors one can receive from the motherland. The award is actually an order of chivalry, first established in 1769. It was award in four classes, from the First Degree to the Fourth, with the First being the highest. There is also a lower grade Cross of St. George and an even lower medal. But it was the Order of St. George that is…

Send to: Mail Call c/o Military Trader, 5225 Joerns Dr., Suite 2, Stevens Point, WI 54481 or email: JAdams-Graf@aimmedia.com DARK SILVER TYPE 97 GRENADE? I purchased some WWII grenades and mortar rounds from a popular, reputable, old-time military dealer. The one item I can’t figure out is a Type 97 hand grenade. Its body is serrated with small boxes, has a brass cap, and a pin going through it that has two prongs and a string to pull to activate it. Below the pin , there is a leaf-type decoration on top and has a flat button. The brass cap has a red line. The color of the grenade is very dark silver or gray. The serrated body looks very black. I have been collecting military items for more than…

Royal Flying Corps Kit Bag: Aircrew Uniforms & Equipment from the War Over the Western Front in WWI, by Mark Hillier (ISBN 978-1526752994, Frontline Books distributed by Casemate Publishers, 908 Darby Road, Havertown, PA 19083, 610.853.9131; www.casemategroup.com. Hardcover, 232 pages, fully illustrated in color, 2020. List price: $49.95) Fly with the Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2s and Sopwith Camels over the trenches. See what the RFC aircrew wore as they took on their German foe in what were the formative years of military aviation. The Royal Flying Corps was formed by Royal Warrant on 13 April 1912, and came into being a month later when the Air Battalion was absorbed into the Military Wing of the new Corps in May. In the days following the outbreak of war in 1914, the…

As their name suggests, military medals are actual medallions suspended from ribbons. They recognize acts of heroism, bravery, achievements or participation in specific military conflicts. Medals are awarded for good conduct, participation in a particular campaign or expedition, or a noncombatant service. Orders harken back to the romantic age of chivalry Many have their origins in the Middle Ages. In their original form, orders conferred the notion of a confraternity, society or other association of members, however, some of them were ultimately purely honorific, consisting of a medal decoration. These institutions, in turn, gave rise to the modern-day orders of merit of sovereign states. The Japanese honors system originated in the 1870s, shortly after the Meiji Restoration, and was modeled on European system. The first order, the Imperial Order of…

*First established on November 26, 1769 by Catherine the Great, and was abolished after the Russian Revolution of 1917 *Catherine the Great was also one of the first Grand Masters of the Order upon its establishment *While it was common for the Orders of St. Vladimir, St. Anne, St. Stanislas to be issued by White Generals during the Russian Civil War, most leaders held off issuing the Order of St. George, which was finally revived in 1994 by the Russian Federation *The award was not limited to Russians, and the foreign recipients including General Field Marshal Arthur Wellesely, 1st Duke of Wellington, and King Wilhelm I of Prussia, both for actions during the war against Napoleon *Today the Order of St. George is the highest military award of the Russian…