Around 1,700 lots of rare militaria items will be sold by Mohawk Arms, June 1-2 A button from George Washington’s inauguration, an American War of 1812 chapeau, part of a flag flown at the Battle of Gettysburg and books from Adolf Hitler’s library will all be auctioned June 1-2.
The lots with the two highest opening bids in the auction are both from Germany. One is a World War II Luftwaffe regiment standard flag, exquisitely embroidered with a large bullion relief eagle within a large bullion relief oak leaf wreath (OB: $23,500). The other is a personal garde Hussar busby (tall fur hat) of Kaiser Wilhelm II with a leather storage case (OB: $15,000).
Another piece of headgear worn by Kaiser Wilhelm II – his personal garde Jager shako (cone-shaped military cap), with a black felt body and patent leather top and brim, in a leather storage case, has an opening bid of $12,500. From the same period: an Imperial German infantry line regiment standard flag with red silk field and magnificent embellished crown (OB: $12,000).
Two German lots from World War II are certain to do well. One is a typed life history of the notorious SS officer Adolf Eichmann, dated “Berlin 14.7.1937” and signed “A. Eichmann.” The document was used at Eichmann’s trial in Israel (OB: $10,000). The other is an oil painting of two generations defending the Fatherland -- framed and signed “H. Teiwes” (OB: $5,000).
Turning to America, two noteworthy lots are a group of uniforms, medals, shooting trophies, photos and documents covering the career of George P. Clooney, who served in the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia from 1887-1907 (OB: $4,500); and original property belonging to Lt. John H. Wilson, WWI 94th Squadron Observer and early parachute pioneer (OB: $2,000).
The auction will also feature nine separate lots comprising souvenirs and personal items used by a former member of the 802nd Tank Destroyer Battalion, who served in the WWII battles at Normandy, Bastogne and the Ruhr. Each item comes accompanied by a notarized copy of this soldier’s wartime experiences, which also includes references to his many acquired souvenirs.
These items include a German camouflage shelter quarter (splinter pattern) and a belt with a police buckle showing the swastika (OB: $250); a Luftwaffe 1st model dagger (OB: $750); a Hitler Youth armband (with 3-piece construction) and a Kriegsmarine o’seas cap (OB: $200); and one lot of two edged weapons related to the life and death struggle of Pfc “K” (OB: $300).
A pair of World War I trench clubs, developed specifically for hand-to-hand trench warfare, carry opening bids of $400 and $450. One is patterned after an early mace, having all-steel construction with ten 1 ½ inch spikes affixed to a cylindrical-shaped head. The other is an Austrian trench club, 10 inches long, with a stiff coiled spring and a pear-shaped cast iron head.
Returning to Imperial Germany, lots to watch include a Baden Infantry officer’s presentation sword with pommel/backstrap and wide knuckle-bow (OB: $2,500); a Prussian M1889 presentation sword with chiseled gilt-brass pommel (OB: $2,500); and a Prussian M1889 presentation sword with gilt-brass pommel cap and reverse “D” knuckle-bow (OB: $3,500).
Rounding out just some of the expected top lots: a World War I Marine Silver Star grouping of various medals, six of them mounted on
