Choosing How to Sell Your Military Collection
Selling military collectibles has gotten complicated with all the online platforms and auction options flying around. As someone who liquidated a 30-year WWII collection after my father passed, I learned everything there is to know about the trade-offs between auction houses, dealers, and private sales. Today, I will share it all with you.
When the time comes to sell, you have three main options: auction houses, specialized dealers, and private sales. Each approach has trade-offs that depend on what you are selling and how quickly you need to close the deal.
Auction House Sales
Auction houses work best for rare or high-value pieces where competitive bidding can drive up the final price. Rock Island Auction and James D. Julia are well-known for military items, particularly weapons and medals. Expect to pay seller commissions ranging from 10 to 25 percent, plus photography and catalog fees.
Probably should have led with this section, honestly – the auction timeline runs several months from consignment to payment. If you need money quickly, this is not your path. I consigned a German luger in March and didn’t see payment until July.
Working with Dealers
Established military antiques dealers offer a faster transaction. They buy outright and handle resale themselves. That’s what makes dealer relationships endearing to us collectors looking for a clean exit – the trade-off is that you receive wholesale prices, typically 40 to 60 percent of retail value, because the dealer needs room for profit.
International Military Antiques, Manions, and other reputable dealers can evaluate your collection and make offers. Get multiple quotes before accepting any deal. I got quotes from four dealers before selling and the offers varied by almost 40 percent.
Private Sales
Selling directly to other collectors through forums, shows, or social media lets you keep the full sale price. You also take on all the work: photography, listing, fielding questions, packing, and shipping. Disputes and payment problems become your responsibility.
Warpath Militaria forums and various Facebook collector groups are active marketplaces. Build a reputation with smaller sales before attempting major transactions.
Making the Decision
Consider your priorities. Maximum price? Auction route if you have patience. Quick cash? Dealer purchase. Control and full value? Private sales with more legwork. Most sellers use a combination based on what they are selling – I auctioned the rare pieces, sold common items privately, and traded the rest to a dealer as a lot.
