Military Show

On Saturday I jumped into the ole Grand National, and after checking the oil turbo’ed my way thru the rural back roads of eastern North Carolina as I meandered towards The Old North State Antique Gun and Military Collectors Show in Raleigh. The show is held at the state fairgrounds and a flea market is held every weekend with a specialized show in the exhibition hall. This week the event was the militaria show, and I really wanted to get a handle on retail prices on some of the militaria dealing with the Battle of Okinawa.

Excellent Common Helmet with Kanji Name on Rim $750

As expected the prices of Militaria climb ever upwards, upwards to eye popping levels. The Okinawa and mainland Japan antique shops and flea markets offer a great discount on prices unlike buying military collectables in Europe. Also, in some of the other Asian rim countries, leftover Imperial Japanese relics are overpriced way beyond their value. A few years back I thought I scored a real find when in a small shop in Bangkok I spied a barrel full of beat-up Japanese swords. These relics were used on the farm after the war but they were priced as true museum treasures!


White Cotton Enlisted Naval Jacket w/Gold naval buttons $200

Keep in mind if your lucky enough to be stationed in Japan keep your eyes open for good value! On the tables at the Raleigh show, Japanese helmets in great condition with excellent liners and soldiers name were at least $750. An excellent helmet with tropical cover was an astonishing $1500. These were supposed vet bring backs with no history known by the sellers. A 7.7 Arisaka rifle with Aerial sights was going for close to 600 dollars, I priced some common canteens and the prices ranged from $150 - $175, a good price in Japan is around 40 bucks. USMC gear is always in demand and WW2 era battle gear is pricy. A nice cammo helmet was going for $200.


Helmet with Tropical Cover - $1500

As can be expected due to the high prices of the gear and today’s financial mess, the crowds were sparse and I did not see much money changing hands. Also as I left, I came to value more the possible discounts Ebay offers to collectors who are savvy bidders and resourceful searchers.


Semper Fi,
Bob

Various Photos from show.

Marine Corps Post and Relief Ceremony

The other day I was one of the main parts of the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point North Carolina Sergeants Major Post and Relief.

That's me in the center saluting.

I figured I’d post this here to capture a few action shots on a duty Marines participate in on a regular basis. Me, I enjoy it because truth be told I simply love the POWER! Oh yes my friends, shouting out commands and making the Marines snap and pop on order is a rush many don’t experience.

Just imagine having the undivided attention of spectators and Platoons of Marines in parade formation who will respond to every command you utter. It’s a natural high that I’ll miss someday.

Labor Day Fossil Fun at Greenville North Carolina

Goosebumps looking for the Great White teeth!


I ran up the stairs to answer the phone. “Yo, whadup! Youse reddy for tomorrow?” The man from N.Y says. “Yeh Man. I was just loading up the truck with shovels and the screen. Should be a good time with the weather looking fine and all.” Me, N.Y. Rob, Goosebumps, and Gerald “Real Tooth” Real were scheduled to have all the East Coast Club fun at GMR on a beautiful Labor day morning!

Upon reaching the park, the conditions were perfect for a great hunt with the water level low, temps perfect, and snakes at a minimum. I had the pleasure of meeting Brad from Black River Fossils who carpooled down from High Point N.C. with Gerald. Soon, Brad had a rare find for the area with a handsome piece of petrified wood screened from the bottom of the river. N.Y. Rob scored a huge Mako and Goblin tooth early but then his luck went stone cold. “I got absooluuutely nut’in outta my gravel bank! Whadda %@!*.” he was heard to say.

BlackRiverFossils go-to guy Brad digs out the rare wood!

When I talked to Gerald, he and I both had nothing really noteworthy to display at the time however, downriver Goosebumps (who jumped my old claim) had a riker box full of treasure with not one but two Great White teeth, one in perfect condition. A horse tooth and 2 sazzy hemi’s among a ton o’stuff he pulled from my spot. Now that I think about it, I was cursed yet again by this fellow being in my proximity.
( Note to self: Push Goosebumps overboard next time were on ship together.)

Everyone has fun at GMR!

It was definitely a lot of fun and we need to schedule a big hunt up there soon, now especially that we have a Hurricane scheduled to clean it out!

Bob


Is it a Meg or a piece of tile?