John Josef
Well-known member
Hello Everyone,
Happy to become a forum member of like minded folks , I'm sure you will understand when I say I'm a life long collector.
It all started for me as a child, my uncle was in the 29th Div US during WWII and survived the war from beginning to end. I start with mentioning him because if it wasn't for him marrying my aunt (war bride) my family would have never had the opportunity to become Americans which is something I'm proud of.
He sponsored my father who I'll just say wasn't in the 29th Div. My father joined the US Army shortly after becoming a citizen and served in Germany funny right. I come from a family of military veterans on both sides.
Anyway, I remember playing Army in the neighborhood where I grew up with original items. And without even knowing it I was already a collector. My father gave me items he had and my uncle gave me things he wore and "liberated" during the war.
My collecting only increased as I grew up and ever since my first job as a paperboy I blew a good bit on Military items. I wish I could say I was always focused but it hasn't been until the last 30 years that I've only been focused on the Imperial items of Germany and Austria. I collect everything related to the period from 1870 till 1918. I collect from head to toe, personal items related to the life of the soldiers as well. Mostly combat items but also dress. See like I said I collect with a broad range which is wonderful and terrible( for the wallet). I'm recently retired hence the joining of this forum I now have free time to explore other aspects of collecting which has changed a GREAT deal in my lifetime.
I'm beginning to discover the forum and all it holds and it seems a wonderful place with a good group of guys and I must say gals as well something that has also changed. What I wouldn't have given to meet a women who shared my collecting interest years ago that just wasn't possible. But I wouldn't trade my Powerfrau for the world, she's a wonderful women and I'm blessed in life. All the best
Happy to become a forum member of like minded folks , I'm sure you will understand when I say I'm a life long collector.
It all started for me as a child, my uncle was in the 29th Div US during WWII and survived the war from beginning to end. I start with mentioning him because if it wasn't for him marrying my aunt (war bride) my family would have never had the opportunity to become Americans which is something I'm proud of.
He sponsored my father who I'll just say wasn't in the 29th Div. My father joined the US Army shortly after becoming a citizen and served in Germany funny right. I come from a family of military veterans on both sides.
Anyway, I remember playing Army in the neighborhood where I grew up with original items. And without even knowing it I was already a collector. My father gave me items he had and my uncle gave me things he wore and "liberated" during the war.
My collecting only increased as I grew up and ever since my first job as a paperboy I blew a good bit on Military items. I wish I could say I was always focused but it hasn't been until the last 30 years that I've only been focused on the Imperial items of Germany and Austria. I collect everything related to the period from 1870 till 1918. I collect from head to toe, personal items related to the life of the soldiers as well. Mostly combat items but also dress. See like I said I collect with a broad range which is wonderful and terrible( for the wallet). I'm recently retired hence the joining of this forum I now have free time to explore other aspects of collecting which has changed a GREAT deal in my lifetime.
I'm beginning to discover the forum and all it holds and it seems a wonderful place with a good group of guys and I must say gals as well something that has also changed. What I wouldn't have given to meet a women who shared my collecting interest years ago that just wasn't possible. But I wouldn't trade my Powerfrau for the world, she's a wonderful women and I'm blessed in life. All the best