Chris William

Chris William has been a long-time member of the collecting community, contributor to Military Trader, and author of the book, Third Reich Collectibles: Identification and Price Guide.

"I love to learn new facts about the world wars, and have had the good fortune to know many veterans and collectors over the years."

"Please keep their history alive to pass on to future generations".

Articles From This Author

When Germany began to mobilize of hundreds of thousands of soldiers, it had to devise a system to of meticulous record keeping. One method was to issue each conscript a book — a Wehrpass — in which personal information was maintained. After the person was accepted into a branch of service, the Wehrpass was exchanged for a Soldbuch.

Photographs and Ephemera

By Chris William
Nov 12, 2019

Propaganda card showing members of Himmler’s SS Technische Nothilfe / Technical Emergency Aid organization. The TENO (Technische Nothilfe —Technical Emergency Relief) had been founded in 1919. Today, the organization still exists as the Technische Hilfswerke (Technical Assistance).

By Chris William
Nov 12, 2019

Police formations march past dignitaries in Krakow, including Heinrich Himmler and Hans Frank. When dressed for such occasions, some German NCOs and enlisted soldiers would wear brass or wood handled “dress” bayonets decorated with colored tassels that designated their individual units.

Knives / Swords / Bayonets

By Chris William
Nov 12, 2019

A Cleveland,Ohio, delegate wore this badge to the Die Freunde des Neuen Deutschland (FDND)Gau-Tag meeting held at the Palmer House in Chicago on October 20, 1934.

Patches / Insignia

By Chris William
Nov 12, 2019

A three-man crew at the ready of their MG 08. Members of the MG-Scharfschuetzen (machine gun sharpshooters) who mastered their training were awarded a proficiency badge, first authorized in January, 1916.

Militaria Collecting 101

By Chris William
Nov 12, 2019

In a phrase popularized in movies, “Papers please” ultimately led to the full identity disclosure of thousands of former SS members. But one form didn’t fit all — there were many different documents carried by the various soldiers, members, and workers of the Third Reich.

Photographs and Ephemera

By Chris William
Nov 12, 2019

A group of British soldiers clown for the camera, ca. 1916. The soldier wearing a captured German helmet is also holding an Austrian Hebel Pattern flare pistol. Flare guns were valuable to both sides during WWI, being used by aviators, ground troops, and naval forces to illuminate, communicate, and signal — roles that signal guns fulfill to this day. John Adams-Graf Collection

Firearms and Ordnance

By Chris William
Nov 12, 2019

Hitler’s elite members of the Allgemeine SS wore austere, black and white visor caps to incite feelings of pride, discipline, and fear. Mark Pulaski Collection

By Chris William
Nov 12, 2019

While giving final instruction before going into the fray, the King of Saxony is seen conversing with one of his men who has just received an Iron Cross.

By Chris William
Nov 12, 2019

This Totenkopf member wears his complete uniform with death’s head collar tabs.

By Chris William
Nov 12, 2019

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By Chris William
Nov 12, 2019

During the years of the Third Reich, many of Europe’s young men found themselves in the ranks of the Waffen-SS, whether by enlistment or conscription. Günther Wiese was one German who chose to join. The decision would cost him his life.

Photographs and Ephemera

By Chris William
Nov 12, 2019

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Patches / Insignia

By Chris William
Nov 12, 2019

As the Great War bogged down into a trench slug- fest, armies of both sides produced and carried a vast array of close-combat weapons including small, versatile weapons that the combatants would come to call, “trench knives.” This Belgian soldier wearing body armor and a Farina-style helmet, carries a modified Mauser bayonet in his teeth. John Adams-Graf collection

Militaria Collectibles

By Chris William
Jan 24, 2019

Helen Ann Mangold of Racine, Wisconsin, volunteered for service in early 1943. By the end of the war, she had treated hundreds of wounded and sick patients throughout the Pacific Theater.

Photographs and Ephemera

By Chris William
Nov 13, 2019

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Photographs and Ephemera

By Chris William
Nov 13, 2019

The American Red Cross actually began its aid work before the United States entered into WWII. At the request of the U.S. government, the Red Cross set up a Blood Donor Service for the armed forces. By the end of the War, more than 40,000 employees of the Red Cross directed the efforts of 7.5 million civilian volunteers, serving the Armed Forces both overseas and at home. 1945 Red Cross poster by Jes Schlaikjer

By Chris William
Nov 13, 2019

An army NCO on his beautiful black mare with dress saberattached to the saddle at the ready.

Patches / Insignia

By Chris William
Nov 13, 2019

The NS-Frauenschaft empowered women to take part in the national movement as it swept over Germany. This photo was taken at the NS-Gaufrauenschaft Berlin rally in the Sportpalast. It shows Reichsfrauenführerin GertrudScholtz-Klink standing with (from left) Joseph Goebbels; the Italian Ambassador Dino Alfieri; Deutschen Arbeitsfront (DAF) leader Robert Ley; and the leader of the NS-Hauptamts NS-Frauenschaft, Erich Hilgenfeldt (Photo by Ullstein Bild via Getty Images)

Patches / Insignia

By Chris William
Dec 3, 2019

Becoming popular in the late 19th century, decorated silk objects were popular with soldiers want to send something home that would cast a “softer” side to the realities of military life.

By Chris William
Nov 13, 2019

A well-decorated veteran of the Russian front sports a wound badge along with his other awards in this Soldbuch photo.

By Chris William
Nov 12, 2019

This proud NCO wears a pilot’s badge on his flight tunic as prescribed by regulations.

By Chris William
Nov 13, 2019

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Photographs and Ephemera

By Chris William
Nov 13, 2019

Photographs and Ephemera

By Chris William
Nov 12, 2019

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Frontline Feature

Military & Gun Auction – Saturday, August 22nd