An Overview of Militaria
The term "militaria" refers to any military artifacts which have been collected for their historical significance or value. These artifacts may include weapons, uniforms, armor, helmets, badges, decorations and field gear, according to Wikipedia.
Militaria is one of the oldest forms of collecting. As the weapons of war progressed beyond the clubs and bone knives of the Stone Age into the bronze shields and swords of the Bronze Age, they took on an increased artistic and cultural significance. Military artifacts of antiquity only survive today because they were collected and preserved, rather than abandoned on the battlefield.
Join Other Militaria Enthusiasts
Today, the hobby has many participants all over the world. One of the biggest gatherings for militaria enthusiasts is the War and Peace show, held annually in Kent, England. This convention, which takes place on an enormous farm, focuses on military vehicles. Everything from tanks to fighter jets, from the World War II period or even earlier, can be found here.
There are many militaria forums on the Web for collectors to discuss their finds with one another. American militaria fans can check out the U.S. Militaria Forum, which provides plenty of opportunity to share your opinions and information regarding badges, weapons and uniforms used by American servicepeople in the field.
There is also the somewhat sinister-looking International Militaria Forum, hosted by Wehrmacht-Awards.com. Here you can discuss such artifacts as the Austrian Cross of the Order of Merit and a cap belonging to assassinated Egyptian leader Anwar Sadat.
If you are a fan of British military artifacts, browse the British Militaria Forums, where you can discuss and add to your collection of Spider-Enfield and Martini-Henry guns.
Ephemera
Not only weapons, armor, and tanks fall within the category of militaria. Collectors can also go looking for ephemera, which means paper documents, including photos and letters from the battlefield. At B & L Military Collectibles, you can purchase World War I era training manuals like "Rapid-Fire English French German for the Soldier Going to the Front" and "A.E.F. Fun in France." The blog Ephemera does not limit itself to military ephemera but lists plenty of it, including a World War I Red Cross poster and an Order of the Crown of Italy signed by Benito Mussolini.
Militaria can become a fascinating, addictive and expensive collecting habit. It also helps to put ordinary collectors in touch with the heroic men and women who have served their countries in war.