What's with the nazi memorabilia at gun shows? I can get the booth with WWII memorabilia. But I was at saxet today and one of the ffl vendors had a big 24x24 banner hanging on the inside of the table, where he was sitting. Just seemed odd.
Back in the 80's a friend took me to a gun show in Amityville, NY at an America Legion Hall after walking around for an hour i asked him so where is the GUN SHOW? it was all WWII memorabilia .
I don't get it either.
Maybe some folks like having something connected with such notorious history?
Don't own anything Nazi marked tho I do see the tech advances in their firearm developments like the Stg-44, MG-42, and FG-42.
It's historical and folks like to collect it, just like Garands, Mosins, Arisakas and many other military-related items...
Military memorabilia is a huge market, especially over in Europe. I used to attend shows in Belgium that were larger than any of the gun shows we have here in Texas.
About two years ago, I sold the collection of German regalia that I had since I was a kid.
One of the reasons that it's popular is that the Nazi's were big on pins, awards, banners, armbands, flags of all types. The Socialist party had their mark on every conceivable item so there is a vast array of Nazi collectables.
Their emblem was actually a Native American symbol of the 4 winds so it's not inherently a Nazi thing.
I would never wear a Nazi item as it would say things about me that are untrue. I did enjoy having and learning about the items and see no problem if others have interest in them.
A friend sold me an 1890ish French infantry bayonet when I was 18. I had to give it back and take the money back because it was his part of his dad's collection and he basically stole it to sell. It had some really neat engravings on it i think it was at least 15 inches long.
That guy drives me nuts with the whole "not for sale" thing. If it's not for sale, then I don't see a reason to bring it. IMO, you are there to buy and sell items, not to show off what you have.
I use to collect Soviet memorabilia for the same reason a lot of people collect other era memorabilia. It was always fun going to shows or rummaging thru old musty Army and Navy stores finding all sorts of items to add to your collection. I still have a medal or two left over but I regret selling what I did.
I've collected German/Nazi stuff for nearly 50 years. Some I've sold and some I've kept, But the driving passion behind my collecting has always been, HISTORY.
Nothing ideological nor love for Nazis or that type of gov't.
When you handle a beautifully made Nazi prewar dagger Or a beautiful WWI Broomhandle Mauser or Luger, WWII/2, you'll likely see the beauty of the item and Not the display of Naziism that some see.
Pure history and love of really Wellmade German, Prewar, items.
Sinister? To some, But history and beauty to me.
American items, especially old firearms, attract/affect me the same way....,just a collector of beautiful and historic items at heart.
DJ