I have an axe and a ice pick from a former FSSF member and I was thinking of donating them but I'm afraid that they'd get filed away never to be seen again.
I have beeen given old WW2 Nazi memorabillia.
- Thread starter enmow
- Start date
I have an axe and a ice pick from a former FSSF member and I was thinking of donating them but I'm afraid that they'd get filed away never to be seen again.
- Location
- Tucson, Arizona
Ames, from swords to pickaxes
- Location
- South of your border
Here are some pictures of this axe and ice pic from that former FSSF member,
I'm guessing this was part of their gear when they went to Kiska Alaska
Would that be from the Ames that was in Parkersburg, WV?
Also I have a few old patches from WW2 and Vietnam if anyone would like to see them. Sadly I have lost a lot of interesting things(my grandfather's tex sargent patches and medals from WW2, Warbond with commando kelly's autogragh, foregn legion cards from 44 and 45, etc.
) over the years.
For myself, that is the point of going to a museum, and the point for bringing my son to a museum. It is the seeing of "stuff", the reason that I make the trip. And I believe it is the seeing of their grandad's "stuff" the motivation for most donations. People don't give away their loved one's possessions so some poindexter can catalog it in a basement, put it in a box, never to be seen from again.
If there is no "stuff" to see, how does the museum entice people to visit, and hopefully return multiple times? And while doing so, either make their donation or pay their admittance fee.
The research, archiving and documentation is important, however, that doesn't pay the bills, nor is it a fitting end as a tribute to the people or "stuff".
My visit to the CWM in Ottawa turned out to be one of the most underwhelming experiences of my trip. I left with the impression the facility was there for the wine and cheese social society, rather than an educational experience for youth, motivational drive for our current community, or tribute to our past. The foyer did look nice though as a gathering hall for women's groups.
The issue regarding museums NOT being able to trade items is one that will keep their collections stagnant. And it's a policy that should be changed. That policy appears to be a bane on most museums and a hindrance to completions of certain collections and reuniting of artifacts. It's unfortunate.
At least that is one guy's opinion.
I spoke to a person recently who I would say falls into the "wine and cheese social society." He said he went through the museum in under 2 hours and was bored the whole time.
In my opinion it's a decent place to take kids of today's (generally) ignorant generation so that they can get at least SOME idea of their nation's history. At least it puts that "crazy old grandfather" into some sort of perspective for their bubble-wrapped minds. Sure as god made little green apples they aren't going to learn about it in the classroom...
There really should be a push for museums to be encouraged to take detailed photographs of their entire collection along with scans of whatever documentation they have that comes with the items and post them online for all to see.
It is quite sad that literally millions of items (a lot of them unique) get locked away in museum vaults never to see the light of day or be appreciated and studied by historians and history enthusiasts.
It is quite sad that literally millions of items (a lot of them unique) get locked away in museum vaults never to see the light of day or be appreciated and studied by historians and history enthusiasts.
I don't understand why Canadian museums show so few artifacts, I'm always disappointed and the more I visit other countries museums the more the disappointment with ours grows.
If you visit London, U.K. make sure to check out the museums there, they actually have a lot of stuff on display! Lots of real artifacts to view and enjoy, not tucked away in the basement lockers or some warehouse. It would be nice if we took a lesson from the Brits who have some really nice museums in my opinion, and without the "politically correct" blah blah aspect as here.
I also agree, the CWM leaves a lot to be desired. Just for fun go into the vehicle gallery, you will notice some of the vehicles have been damaged from being moved around so many times by the vehicle hall curator who has a tendency to crash things with the little forklift thing he moves them with. Always fun asking the staff if the fresh scrapes and chips are "battle damage?" ;-) As mentioned, they do actually use the vehicle hall as a place for social gatherings. But at least while visiting the CWM nobodies feelings are getting hurt, oh, except for the veterans who fought for our freedom :-(
Also, the restoration on the Panther A they spent so much money on sucks, the missing parts they made are nothing like the originals, the zimmerit looks likes balls, the paint job is terrible, markings are inaccurate even though they had photos of it in original paint. But hey - it's not like it matters because it's only the veterans and historians who will know how badly it's been restored, right? I think all involved with that restoration deserve a nice pair of cement shoes made out of the terrible concrete zimmerit mixture they used on the vehicle ;-)
-Steve
If you visit London, U.K. make sure to check out the museums there, they actually have a lot of stuff on display! Lots of real artifacts to view and enjoy, not tucked away in the basement lockers or some warehouse. It would be nice if we took a lesson from the Brits who have some really nice museums in my opinion, and without the "politically correct" blah blah aspect as here.
I also agree, the CWM leaves a lot to be desired. Just for fun go into the vehicle gallery, you will notice some of the vehicles have been damaged from being moved around so many times by the vehicle hall curator who has a tendency to crash things with the little forklift thing he moves them with. Always fun asking the staff if the fresh scrapes and chips are "battle damage?" ;-) As mentioned, they do actually use the vehicle hall as a place for social gatherings. But at least while visiting the CWM nobodies feelings are getting hurt, oh, except for the veterans who fought for our freedom :-(
Also, the restoration on the Panther A they spent so much money on sucks, the missing parts they made are nothing like the originals, the zimmerit looks likes balls, the paint job is terrible, markings are inaccurate even though they had photos of it in original paint. But hey - it's not like it matters because it's only the veterans and historians who will know how badly it's been restored, right? I think all involved with that restoration deserve a nice pair of cement shoes made out of the terrible concrete zimmerit mixture they used on the vehicle ;-)
-Steve
The Museum of the Regiments AKA Military Museum here in Calgary is great. When on holidays my wife lets me drag her to every museum I can find, and it's hard to find one better than this. They recently expanded to include the Air component along with the Naval part from Tecumseh.
I guess part of my whine is selfish. I like to explore variants in kit, and weapons with the ability to utilize a museum as a reference source. Unfortunately museums rarely are concerned with factual or historical accuracy in that regard. It is probably a small part of their concerns or mandate. I think with a little additional effort, the educational benefits for collectors such as myself could be easily satisfied. And while satisfying my interests, they would ensure a far greater historical presentation.
And again getting back to some other points, with additional material, comes additional guests. Guests with money.
I guess part of my whine is selfish. I like to explore variants in kit, and weapons with the ability to utilize a museum as a reference source. Unfortunately museums rarely are concerned with factual or historical accuracy in that regard. It is probably a small part of their concerns or mandate. I think with a little additional effort, the educational benefits for collectors such as myself could be easily satisfied. And while satisfying my interests, they would ensure a far greater historical presentation.
And again getting back to some other points, with additional material, comes additional guests. Guests with money.
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Since this thread is so far away from the orginal topic that it has had to change postal codes, I'll add my rant as well.
I have collected military "stuff" for quite a few years. I have also been told more than once by people that they don't like private collectors like myself to buy many of these items since they won't be available to the public to see or to be maintained like musuems do.
I don't think anyone posting in this thread can argue that most museums only display a portion of their collections. With regards to maintaining the condition of collections, there is no shortage of first hand accounts of different museums letting items deteriorate - whether due to lack of funding, time, staff, etc. As a private collector, I had to pay for these items with MY money, not someone else's tax dollars. Therefore, I am going to do my best to keep these items in good condition. I also make an effort to get different parts of my collection out on display (gunshows, high schools, collectors fairs, etc) whenever possible. This allows me to share my love for history and the items I collect and also lets people young and old have a close up, hands on look at some of these items. In some regards I think many of Canada's musuems could learn some lessons from private collectors.
There, now I'm going to sit down and rest.
I have collected military "stuff" for quite a few years. I have also been told more than once by people that they don't like private collectors like myself to buy many of these items since they won't be available to the public to see or to be maintained like musuems do.
I don't think anyone posting in this thread can argue that most museums only display a portion of their collections. With regards to maintaining the condition of collections, there is no shortage of first hand accounts of different museums letting items deteriorate - whether due to lack of funding, time, staff, etc. As a private collector, I had to pay for these items with MY money, not someone else's tax dollars. Therefore, I am going to do my best to keep these items in good condition. I also make an effort to get different parts of my collection out on display (gunshows, high schools, collectors fairs, etc) whenever possible. This allows me to share my love for history and the items I collect and also lets people young and old have a close up, hands on look at some of these items. In some regards I think many of Canada's musuems could learn some lessons from private collectors.
There, now I'm going to sit down and rest.
The gentleman was an Infanteer with the Lincoln & Welland Regiment. As he went about dispatching these folk, they would search for Intel" to send to higher command. anything deemed low value was kept by men such as himself for War Souveneirs'. I do not have a scanner or digital Camera, or claim to possess the knowledge to use a scanner. Im in Ottawa and would welcome showing this material to any Naysayers'. I appreciate all your comments and help in this matter.
Your avatar is a Newfoundland flag, perhaps you're living in NL?
If this is the case, I know HMCS Cabot in St. John's has a display case with some Nazi memoribilia in it, perhaps they'd like to take the stuff? At least then lots of reservists and cadets would get the opportunity to see it.
There is a sticky about posting pictures.. If i can do it,, anybody can, I've got a lot of my uncles WW1 stuff, never donating anything cause even if I sell it, someone will see and appreciate it. Military Cross, Belgian Cross +.. got court martialed before coming home, loose cannon.. 75 page war record, drank heavy, fought heavy with the thought somebody has to do it! Seemed to have a problem with respect for officers,, Sell your stuff to someone who'll respect it..
Sounds like the type of guy who ends up with medals. I was lucky enough to know some older gentlemen when I was very young who told the most fascinating stories (not necessarily suitable for my young years - I bet was the only 5 year old around who knew how to properly use a bayonet) but they spent time 'taking care of me' when I was playing outside. I never knew how safe I truly was - they included my Great Uncle (British Army - India, China, Iraq, Afghanistan 1918-1938+1939-1945 - POW from Dunkirk) two of his friends (one member of 1 Cdo and the other a Chindit) and the old guy next door (Durham Light Infantry 1939-1959). They all said only crazy people got medals.
If you're ever in northern Russia (I know, a little far to go..
) I really recommend you checking out the Museum of Wooden Architecture in Novgorod. (About 20 minutes from Velikiy Novgorod and an hour and a half from St. Petersburg) Just the sheer immensity of the churches and houses from as early as the 16th century is quite amazing. 
Sorry for the change in topic..
