Best Military Auction Sites

Finding authentic military collectibles has gotten complicated with all the fake listings and overpriced “rare” items flooding the market. As someone who spent over a decade building my collection through various auction sites, I learned everything there is to know about where to find legitimate military surplus and collectibles. Today, I will share it all with you.

GovPlanet

I’ve won more auctions on GovPlanet than any other site, and there’s a reason for that. It’s government-direct surplus, which means you’re buying items the military actually used, not reproductions from someone’s garage.

• Flexible bidding options
• Wide range of surplus items
• Thorough item details and photos

Every Wednesday, new items drop. I’ve picked up everything from M35 deuce-and-a-halfs to generator sets. The photos show the real condition — rust, dents, all of it. Registration takes about five minutes, and once you’re in, you can set up email alerts for specific categories.

GovDeals

GovDeals carries more variety than GovPlanet, but you need to dig through a lot of office furniture and police department filing cabinets to find the good stuff. When you do find military items, they’re often from National Guard units clearing out old inventory.

• User-friendly interface
• Diverse listings
• Simple registration process

The individual listing format works better for smaller collectibles. I scored a Vietnam-era field telephone for $40 last year because it was buried in a lot of “miscellaneous communications equipment.” Set up alerts for your specific interests and check daily.

eBay

eBay’s a mixed bag. You’ll find incredible pieces from estate sales sitting next to obvious Chinese reproductions. The trick is learning to spot reputable sellers and knowing what questions to ask.

• Global reach
• Diverse range of sellers
• User reviews and ratings

I only bid from sellers with hundreds of positive reviews and clear return policies. The immediate purchase option works for items priced fairly, but bidding can get you deals if you’re patient. Always check feedback specifically for military items — some sellers are great with electronics but clueless about militaria authenticity.

Militaria Auctions

When I’m hunting for high-end pieces with verified provenance, C&T Auctioneers runs the best militaria auctions I’ve found. These aren’t surplus work trucks — we’re talking documented medals, rare uniforms, and historically significant artifacts.

• Specialized focus on military items
• Expert evaluations
• Detailed catalogues

Each auction focuses on specific eras or conflicts. The catalogues come out weeks in advance, giving you time to research before bidding. Preview days are worth attending if you can — seeing items in person makes a huge difference for authentication.

Allsurplus

Allsurplus handles bulk lots that other sites won’t touch. I’ve bought pallets of canteens, crates of field gear, and once, an entire lot of shelter halves that I split with three other collectors.

• Broad range of categories
• Streamlined purchasing process
• Reliable customer support

The photos don’t always show everything in the lot, so there’s an element of surprise. Sometimes you get more than expected, sometimes less. Their customer support actually responds when you have questions, which matters when you’re bidding on items sight unseen.

Heritage Auctions

Heritage handles high-dollar militaria where authentication is critical. I bought a documented WWII officer’s grouping through them — medals, papers, photos, everything traced to one soldier.

• Established auction house
• Highly detailed item listings
• Expert authentication

The authentication process catches fakes that would fool most collectors. Prices run higher than general surplus sites, but you’re paying for certainty. Their catalogues read like history lessons, with background on each item’s significance.

Bonhams

Bonhams is where museums shop. I’ve never won a bid there — my budget doesn’t stretch that far — but I watch their auctions to learn and to see pieces I’d never encounter otherwise.

• International auction house
• Extensive cataloguing
• Trustworthy and reputable

Several specialized militaria auctions run each year. Preview access requires proof of serious interest, but the online catalogues are detailed enough to learn from. If you have the funds for museum-quality pieces, this is where they appear.

Bid on Equipment

Bid on Equipment flies under the radar for a lot of collectors, which means less competition and better prices. The interface looks dated, but the deals are real.

• Simple auction process
• Wide range of categories
• Competitive bidding

I check this site weekly. Military items get mixed in with construction equipment and commercial gear, so fewer people see them. End dates are clearly marked, and the bidding stays reasonable until the final hour.

Surplus Assets

Surplus Assets works well for bulk buyers and collectors building out specific categories. I furnished an entire display case of field equipment from three auctions on this site.

• Versatile auction options
• Clear item descriptions
• Detailed images and conditions

The category filters actually work, unlike some sites where “military” includes everything from office supplies to helicopters. Photos show condition accurately, and the item descriptions call out damage instead of hiding it.

BidSpotter

BidSpotter aggregates auctions from multiple houses, so you can watch several at once. I use it more for monitoring than bidding, since it redirects you to the actual auction house for final bids.

• Live and timed auction options
• Partnerships with multiple auction houses
• Comprehensive search features

The calendar view helps me plan which auctions to follow each week. Some of the best finds come from small regional auction houses that use BidSpotter for online access. Watch for estates that include military service members — those lots often have personal items never seen at larger auctions.

iBid

Illinois-specific, but if you’re in or near the state, iBid offers direct access to surplus from state departments, including National Guard equipment.

• State-managed platform
• Diverse range of surplus items
• Exclusive to state-owned assets

New listings appear regularly as departments clear inventory. Probably should have led with this section, honestly — if you’re local to the pickup locations, you can score items for pennies on the dollar because out-of-state bidders face shipping challenges.

Municibid

Municibid connects you with local government surplus, including police and fire department military-style equipment acquired through federal programs.

• Government agency surplus
• Clear listing details
• Regularly updated auctions

The selection varies wildly by location. Some municipalities list gear weekly, others quarterly. Setting up location-based alerts ensures you see items from nearby agencies where pickup is feasible.

Green Bid

Green Bid emphasizes sustainability, which means they try to keep surplus out of landfills by connecting it with buyers. The environmental angle attracts less competition from hardcore collectors.

• Diverse surplus categories
• Easy-to-use platform
• Detailed item descriptions

I’ve picked up educational surplus that includes military training materials and equipment used by ROTC programs. The platform is straightforward, and auctions typically run for seven days with clear end times.

Oban International

If you’re shopping for full-size military vehicles, Oban International handles international sales that other sites won’t touch. I’ve never bought from them — importing a Unimog wasn’t in my plans — but I know collectors who have.

• International reach
• Specialization in military vehicles
• Thoroughly catalogued items

They handle customs paperwork and international shipping logistics. Vehicles come from militaries worldwide, often with full service histories. This is serious collector territory with prices to match.

Proxibid

Proxibid connects thousands of auctioneers with online bidders. Military items show up from estate auctions, farm sales, and storage unit cleanouts.

• Comprehensive auction marketplace
• Multiple auction types
• High-quality images and descriptions

The variety means you need to search daily to catch good items before they sell. I’ve found pieces on Proxibid that never would have appeared on dedicated military sites — personal groupings from veterans’ estates that families auction locally.

AuctionTime

AuctionTime shares DNA with Machinery Trader, so the interface feels familiar if you’ve used their other platforms. Government surplus gets its own category, making military items easier to find.

• Part of established auction network
• User-friendly interface
• Diverse surplus categories

Auctions have precise end times displayed in your local timezone. Listings include detailed specs for vehicles and equipment. The site layout makes browsing faster than most government surplus platforms.

That’s what makes the auction route endearing to us collectors — you never know when something special will appear. The thrill of winning a rare piece at a fair price beats buying from dealers who mark everything up to retail. Start with the government-direct sites like GovPlanet and GovDeals to learn grading and pricing, then branch out to the specialty houses once you know what you’re looking at.