How do you exhibit your WW1 treasures?

I am in the “no face mannequin” camp, but I do like to shape the sleeves so they don’t appear to be empty and flat. John Adams-Graf photo

A member of the Facebook group, “World War I AEF Collectors,” recently asked how others display their uniforms. The discussion covered the use of mannequins, with several people sharing photos of their collection. With the group’s permission, Military Trader is delighted to share some their photos.

Dennis Skupinski: “I like to display full mannequins when possible. I want my guests to see a soldier, not a collection of items. People are usually in awe when they see soldiers as people rather than a collection of objects.”

Brian Wise: “I want to add a support to my mannequin so I can have either the uniform’s matching overseas cap or my 91st Div. Brodie to sit head-high. I also want to add a support so that I can have either my 1903 or 1917 presented at the uniform’s side.”

William Glenn Hughes: “I prefer full-length mannequins or a full torso to appropriately fill out the uniform. I also prefer headless displays or heads without facial features.”

*TAKE OUR QUIZ: HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW WWI HELMETS?

JD Ray: “Same preference on mannequins too: no head or faceless .I was using some cheap $15 for my displays (above). They didn’t look perfect, but they got the job done.”

A Gustaf Bryngelson: Uniforms are displayed of custom made mannequins in a specially built secure building where the public is invited to view them. The "bunker" is two 40 foot shipping containers that have been bolted together and insulated and finished on the inside with a good security system to protect from intruders. See more of Gus' displays.

David White: “I’ve been told my boys look real. That’s the way I want to display them.

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Shane Steven: “I use some busts for some displays to a nice effect. It is just the gear. I am doing one of a doughboy that is full body with face, but that is because it is a 1:1 scale diorama.”

Quentin Pasquis: “For me, [displaying the headgear above the form] is better than a complete mannequin.”

Marty Yager said, "Mine needs boots and I had to cut the feet 3/4 off and all of the back of the legs to get the pants on!"

Brandon Marvin: "I definitely need a good pair of boots I prefer heads to show the collars."

Bruce Jarvis: "When I was in to the mannequin displays, I used pieces/parts, a lot of cutting, duct tape, and the occasional head-ectomy!"

William Parker: "I have a display at the local museum in town."

Sjoerd van der Ven: “I tried something new in my display. I tried other poses with my mannequins to get a new vibe instead of static poses. My personal preference is to use mannequins without a face so the attention will go to the kit it’s displaying.”

Brian Saska shared his collection display technique.

Wesley Lyle Krause: The WW1 section, leading to the WW2 and Civil War section. Here is a link to my Ghost Squadron Military Museum website.

We would like to see how YOU display your uniforms. Send a high resolution image with brief description to: Military Trader

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Collection Display Mannequins Torso Uniform Preservation

John Adams-GrafAuthor

John Adams-Graf ("JAG" to most) is the editor of Military Trader and Military Vehicles Magazine. He has been a military collector for his entire life. The son of a WWII veteran, his writings carry many lessons from the Greatest Generation. JAG has authored several books, including multiple editions of Warman's WWII Collectibles, Civil War Collectibles, and the Standard Catalog of Civil War Firearms. He is a passionate shooter, wood-splitter, kayaker, and WWI AEF Tank Corps collector.

Collectors show how they display WWI material

Tunics, Jackets, Overcoats, trousers, breeches, and Headgear of the Great War: How you display your WWI collection can determine their interpretive and aesthetic value.

John Adams-Graf

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