WWII tank could crush all before it at Affiliated's militaria sale

The auction has a number of highlights, including a knife retained by a US 'Screaming Eagle'

Later today (July 9), Affiliated Auctions will be concluding a fascinating militaria sale, including some particularly intriguing pieces from WWII.

One such piece is an eagle talon handle knife and leather sheath, with the blade marked J. Stortz Munchen.

Its overall length is just under 10 inches, and the knife is accompanied by a letter from Gene Nelson, a member of the 101st Airborne Division known as the 'Screaming Eagles' in WWII.

A paragraph in the letter attests "All of these items were collected by me in the vicinity of Berchtesgauden in 1945.

WWII German knife retained by a Screaming Eagle

The German dagger with the leather sheath and the large talons came from the 'Wachenfeld Haus', where we found many items that Hitler received as gifts and the people in the vicinity failed to find, all the medals, some flags etc."

This letter, along with the knife, is contained in display case and the note is dated 1979. The knife is in very good condition and listed at $8,000.

For those seeking even more explicit Third Reich memorabilia, a rare WWII German Panzer standard swallowtail flag is also being offered.

The garish pink Nazi Heer Panzer standard swallowtail flag

Coloured pink, with a silver bullion laurel wreath, it presents an eagle and swastika in middle. Double sided and bordered with silver bullion fringe. It measures approximately 32 by 20 inches, not including the fringe.

The flag has minor holes, and some fraying to the bullion - otherwise it is in very good condition, and expected to sell for $13,000.

WWII militaria from the German side is always controversial, but one of the reasons it tends to maintain or increase its value, despite restrictions on its sale in certain countries, is the consistent interest from institutions.

These include Jewish museums as well as Russian collectors who see Nazi war memorabilia as a celebration of the regime's defeat.

Affiliated Auctions' sale takes place in Florida, but with full online bidding available.

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