Reference material is something you collect along side your awards and as one grows, so will the other. The role of reference books has to be clearly understood. They are an irreplaceable tool, but they have some limitations. Some of the books have been published years ago, and so it is impossible to expect that they would be up to date with the latest reproductions. What they do provide you with is basic knowledge, information that such as the parts of an award or the different metals used if their construction. Once you possess this basic knowledge, the finer details of each individual award will be much easier to understand. In addition, they provide us with information surrounding the award, such as criteria, numbers awarded and time frame awarded. Many include interesting recipient biographies and the context in which the particular award fit into the overall award structure of the Third Reich.

New and experience collectors use the books in a different way. A new collector dedicates time to study the books, while an experienced collector uses them merely when he need to identify a very rare piece, or can not remember the specifications a particular award. Nonetheless, they will accompany you through your journey in this field.

Below is a list of some of the Militaria books in my library, and my thoughts on them. In general, something can be gained from every book, though there are a couple of books that I excluded intentionally because their contribution to the collectors’ community is almost negligible.

Ailsby, Christopher,World War II German Medals and Political Awards, Ian Publishing, Runnymede,England, (1994). ISBN 0-7818-0225-3 This is a basic book that covers basically all Military Awards. It does not go into great detail, but it offers a good overview of a lot of awards, and in some cases statistics such as numbers of awards presented. It also has a star system to compare the rarity of the awards. Inexpensive and worth it.

Angolia, John, For Fuhrer and Fatherland, Military Awards of the Third Reich, Bender Publishing, San Jose, CA, (1987) A good reference book. This book covers just about every Military Award, and gives the reader a little history and overview with some short biographies in some. A a very popular book. Out of print, but can be obtained at a reasonable price.

Cowdery, Ray and Josephine, Papers Please!, USM Incorporated, Lakeville, MN, (1996), ISBN 0-910667-36-5 This book cover all documents and most ID cards of the Third Reich. A good reference book for that field.

Davis, Brian Leigh, Badges and Insignia of the Third Reich, Sterling Publishing, NY, NY, (1984). ISBN 07137-1130-2 A helpfull book, good ilustrations and color plates.

Dr Doehle, Heinrich,Medals & Decorations of the Third Reich, Reddick Enterprises, Denison, TX (1995). ISBN 0-9624883-4-8. This book was originally published in Berlin in 1943, and accurately covers all awards up to then. It gives the award, an illustration, and the general requirements to obtain it. A must have.

Forman, Adrian,Guide to Third Reich Awards and their Values, Bender Publishing, San Jose, CA, (1993) ISBN 9121388-52-1 The awards here are simply listed along with a photograph and the value of it is provided. Prices have in most cases changed, but it still gives the reader with a relative (and useful) value. It really provides a good guide to identify awards.

Hamelman, William, German Wound Badges 1914-1936-1939-1944-1957, Mathaeus Publishers, Dallas, TX, (1993) ISBN 0-931065-07-0 This is a soft cover covering, well, Wound Badges. I found it to be interesting and well worth its value, which is relatively low compared to the other books.

Lumsbden, Robin, Third Reich Militaria, Hippocrene Books, NY, NY, USA (1994) ISBN 0-7818-0323-8 In this case the book touches on most of the awards, with a general description. Decorations are only one section as the book covers Edged Weapons, Uniforms, Armbands, and most militaria. Broad, but good for the beginning collector.

Vernon, Sydney B.,The Medal Collectors' Companion, Sydney B. Vernon, Temecula, CA, (1995) ISBN 0-96235-75-2-9 This book has little to offer to the German Militaria Collector, but if you are interested in collecting other country’s award it may be of some value. Bought it, read it, never looked at it again.

Williamson, Gordor, The Iron Cross, a History 1813-1957, Reddick Enterprises, Denison, TX, (1994) ISBN 0-962-24883-8-0 This reference source covers the Iron Cross-from its creation through its end. Though it contains a couple of inaccuracies it is overall a good book (with a lot of biographies, which I like).

Williamson, Gordor,The Knights Cross of the Iron Cross, a History 1939-1945, Blandford Pree, London, UK (1987) ISBN 0-07137-1820 This book dedicates the majority of its pages to biographies, but it also gives a detailed history and good information on the Knights Cross.

In addition, here are books that have been recommended by other collectors, and which do not necessarily deal only with medals and decorations.

• Collectors Guide to Sturmabteilung Insignia (by David Fuller).
• Pickelhauben (by Eric Johansson).
• Uniforms, Organization and History of the Panzertruppe (by Roger James Bender & Warren W. Odegard).
• Uniforms of the Panzer Troops 1917-to the present (by Joerg M Hormann).
• Uniforms of the Infantry 1919-to the present by Joerg M. Hormann. Refer to #4 for an opinion.
• Orders, Decorations, Medals and Badges of the 3rd Reich (by David Littlejohn and C.M. Dodkins)
• World War II German Military Collectibles (by Robert McCarthy).
• Nazi Regalia (by Jack Pia).
• SS Regalia (by Jack Pia).
• Wings of World War II (by Russell J. Huff).
• Uniforms and Insignia of the German Foreign Office and Government Ministries 1938-1945 (by Jill Halcomb).
• The SA (by Jill Halcomb).
• SS Uniforms, Insignia, & Accoutrements by A. Hayes.
• SS Helmets (by Kelly Hicks).
• Hitler's Favorite Political Badges and Decorations (by Mickey Huffman).
• Fascinating Relics of the Third Reich (by Robert J. Lee).
• Collector's Guide to Liberated Adolf Hitler Memorabilia (volumes I&II) (by Mark D. Griffith).
• Belt Buckles & Brocades of the 3rd Reich (by John Angolia).
• Gorgets of the 3rd Reich (by Richard Deeter and Warren Odegard).
• The Hitler Youth (by David Littlejohn).

Some basic equipment which you should have includes a 10 power jewelers loop, a good ruler and a magnet. The jewelers loop will help you see things like manufacturers’ marks and strike marks. It is important to be able to clearly see these, and this twenty dollar piece of the equipment will help you do just that.

The ruler may be picked up from any stationary store, just make sure it reads Imperial as well as metric. The magnet may be useful mostly if you intent to collect Iron Crosses (it just never hurts to have one).

Collector's Corner