Table of contents for July 2021 in Military Trader

FREE ISSUE OF MILITARY VEHICLES MAGAZINE Have you ever considered your own Jeep, deuce, or even a tank? Active Interest Media wants to give you a free digital copy of our sister magazine, Military Vehicles Magazine. To grab your copy, log onto www. MilitaryTrader.com. In the upper right of the page, you will see a box with FREE ISSUE written on it. Click that. You will see a screen to enter your email address to receive our free, weekly Militar-E-News. After you enter, the next screen will provide you the access for the free digital download — easy as that! FREE LECTURE: THE LAW OF ARMED CONFLICT The laws of war, while widely adopted by countries all over the world today, are a relatively recent invention in their…

Send to: Mail Call c/o Military Trader, 5225 Joerns Dr., Suite 2, Stevens Point, WI 54481 or email: Military@aimmedia.com SHAVING POT GRENADE? I read your the May 2021 issue, but the images in the article, “Grenade!” by Chris William (pp. 22-27) are missing a representation of the “Shaving Pot Grenade.” I am enclosing an illustration of one. It still has a partially yellow covered detonation cap. The stamping on the bottom is barely legible. It could be “7OA [unknown symbol] 103” or “TOA [unknown symbol] 103.” It is a little over three inches tall; An inch and a half wide. The steel pot is two inches tall and about 3/8 thick. Having had this for a while, my memory is a little vague, but I believe these were converted from…

“Herkules” was the German code-name given to an abortive plan for the invasion of Malta. Through air and sea landings, the Italians and Germans hoped to eliminate Malta as a British air and naval base and secure an uninterrupted flow of supplies across the Mediterranean Sea to Axis forces in Libya and Egypt. In 1942, the garrison of Malta consisted of 15 infantry battalions (11 Commonwealth, 4 Maltese) organized into four brigades totalling 26,000 men. Tank support was provided by the 1st Independent Troop of the Royal Tank Regiment. Artillery support came from twenty-four 25-pounder field guns of the 12th Field Regiment, capable of providing fire support out to a range of 6.8 miles and covering most of the island while remaining in protected static positions. Malta’s fixed defences included…

GOOD HELMETS: THEY’RE STILL OUT THERE! Sometimes, I hear collectors “sing the blues” about how there is “nothing left to buy outside of other collections and dealers.” This is not always the case. Two summers ago, I received a call from a friend who was at an estate sale in a small nearby town. He had spotted two helmets for sale and, because he is not a military collector, he remarked that he thought one “may be German.” He asked if I was interested. I said, “Sure,” and bought the two, sight-unseen and hoping for the best. I was very surprised when we met up. One of the helmets turned out to be a WWII German “Normandy camo” helmet. The paint and liner were original, and the chinstrap appeared to…

WHAT IS TODAY’S VALUE OF RESEARCH? My “research life” has turned into one of sitting in front of a computer. Behind me and on the sides of me, are shelves loaded with thousands of dollars of books. But to be honest, I don’t find myself swiveling in my chair to grab one of those treasured resources as much as I used to. Instead, I am relying more and more on my computer. A SIGN OF GETTING OLD? I love those Progressive Insurance television ads about taking classes to “not become your parents.” I confess, I use them as resource to form my own graceful aging. For example, having seen the ads, I no longer let out a loud groan when I sit down, and I resist sharing my wisdom with…

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! MILITARY RELIC SHOWS AND EXPOS June 19, KS, Topeka. Santa Fe Division Militaria Show, VFW Post 1650, 3110 SW Huntoon. Info: Joe Taylor, 785-806-1082; santafedivisionshow@yahoo.com ; www.137thinfantry.us June 19, MN, Stewartville. Military Collectors Heritage Show, Stewartville, American Legion Post 164, 1100 2nd Ave. NW. info: 507.459.9878 June 19-20, BELGIUM, La Gleize. La Gleize International Military Antique Fair. June 25-27, —CANCELLED— MN, St. Paul. Minneapolis-St. Paul Military Show, Minnesota State Fairgrounds Complex. Info: 612.868.6242; mspcollectorsgroup@gmail.com www. mspmilitaryshow.com June 25-27, OK, Chickasha. Heartland Militaria Show. Grady County Fairgrounds. Info: Matt, Hindi, 405.503.3665;…

The listings are based on several recent price guides and eBay sales over several years. Factors affecting values include condition, scarcity of issue, and period-correct medal (originality). Defense of Leningrad $20.00 - $30.00 Defense of Odessa $120.00 - $130.00 Defense of Sevastopol $140.00 - $160.00 Defense of Stalingrad $25.00 - $50.00 Defense of Moscow $20.00 - $30.00 Defense of Kiev $125.00 - $150.00 Defense of the Caucasus Medal $35.00 - $45.00 Defense of the Soviet Polar Regions $25.00 - $40.00 Capture of Budapest $30.00 - $60.00 Capture of Koenigsberg $30.00 - $40.00 Capture of Vienna $45.00 - $60.00 Capture of Berlin $20.00 - $30.00 Liberation of Belgrade $90.00 - $110.00 Liberation of Warsaw $20.00 - $30.00 Liberation of Prague $45.00 - $55.00 Victory over Germany $10.00 - $20.00 Victory over…

While the epic WWII sieges of Leningrad and Stalingrad have been remembered for the heroic stands made by the each of the cities’ defenders, another equally impressive siege — though not nearly as well-known — took part in the Mediterranean Theater. From June 11, 1940, to November 20, 1942 — a total of two years, five months, one week and two days — the Brown Crown Colony of Malta, an island located just 50 miles south of Italy, held out against Axis efforts to bomb or starve it into submissions. Axis forces targeted the ports, towns, cities, and Allied shipping that supplied the island. In fact, Malta became one of the most intensively bombed areas during the war. The German Luftwaffe and Italian Regia Aeronautrica flew a total of 3,000…

“Snapshots” acknowledges that period photos can be the best form of primary information for collectors. Military Trader welcomes photo submissions from its readers of any soldiers displaying interesting uniforms, equipment, medals, or insignia. Send photos with a brief description to: Military Trader, Attn: Snapshots, 5225 Joerns Dr., Suite 2, Stevens Point, WI 54481. If possible, send clear copy prints or high resolution scans. All submissions become property of Active Interest Media and may be considered for inclusion (with proper credit) in other features.…

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: Military@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…