Finding What Military Collectibles Are Worth
Military memorabilia valuation has gotten complicated with all the conflicting sources flying around. As someone who paid triple what I should have for a “rare” helmet before learning to research properly, I learned everything there is to know about pricing military collectibles. Today, I will share it all with you.
That’s what makes research endearing to us collectors – pricing military memorabilia requires work beyond a quick Google search. Values depend on authenticity, condition, rarity, and current market demand – factors that shift over time.
Printed Price Guides
The Standard Catalog of Military Firearms and similar reference books provide baseline values for common items. These guides are typically updated every few years, so prices may lag behind current market conditions. Still, they offer a starting point for understanding relative values within categories.
Probably should have led with this section, honestly – Ron Manion publishes specialized guides for German militaria. Warnicks covers American military insignia. Match the guide to your collecting focus.
Auction Results
Recent auction sales give you real market data. Rock Island Auction, Heritage Auctions, and James D. Julia publish results online. Search their archives for items similar to yours. Remember that auction prices include buyer premiums – the actual seller received less than the hammer price.
Dealer Price Lists
Established dealers like International Military Antiques and Manions publish retail catalogs. These represent asking prices, not necessarily what items sell for. But they show what dealers consider reasonable values and can help identify reproductions listed at low prices.
Online Marketplaces
eBay completed listings show what actually sold, not just what people asked. Filter for completed and sold items to see real transaction prices. Be cautious – many sales involve misattributed or fake items, so comparable pricing only works if you can verify authenticity.
Getting Professional Appraisals
For valuable pieces or insurance purposes, hire a qualified appraiser. The American Society of Appraisers and International Society of Appraisers maintain directories of specialists. Expect to pay 75 to 150 dollars per hour for written appraisals.
Value Changes Over Time
Collecting trends shift. German WWII items commanded premium prices for decades but have softened as the generation with direct connections passes. Vietnam era collecting has grown. Watch what new collectors are pursuing.
