Milestone’s Jan. 18 Premier Military Auction surveys 250 years of war and conflict, with special focus on rare WWII and Nazi material

WILLOUGHBY, Ohio – Milestone Auctions will ring in the New Year with a January 18th Premier Military Sale with its 705 high-quality, well-provenanced lots. The 250-year timeline starts in the 18th century with coveted Revolutionary War items and progresses to the modern-war era. Significant sections are devoted to Civil War (Confederate and Union) and World War II/Nazi relics, including important uniform groupings, helmets, flags, medals and insignia; photographs, and a comprehensive array of military swords, knives, daggers and katanas. All forms of bidding, in-person and remote, will be available for this auction, which will be webcast live from Milestone’s gallery.

Leading the exceptional selection of World War II Axis artifacts is a massive handsewn Imperial Japanese flag ID’d to the Battleship Nagato. It was recovered from the Nagato captain’s quarters during the Occupation of Japan by US Navy veteran Neil Huntington, who served on the USS Texas. The frayed edge on one side suggests the flag may well have been flown on the Nagato, but it also stands apart from other Japanese flags because it bears the signatures of several American POWs who signed it aboard the USS Texas en route home to the States. Accompanied by Huntington’s photo album and documents pertaining to his military service, the lot is a piece of history.

Parades and pageantry were part of the Nazi propaganda campaign, and no expense was spared when it came to the creation of standartes (flags or banners) used at significant events. The January 18 auction includes a true rarity: a double-sided World War II Nazi regimental swallowtail standarte (flag/banner) reflecting the highest level of artistry of its day. The standarte is intricately hand-embroidered with eagles in relief, silver bullion wire oak and laurel leaves; and hand-applied silver wire edging. The silk fabric is of a particular shade of red that denotes the artillery branch of the German army. In excellent-plus condition and one of very few known survivors of its type.

Another standarte is known to have been used by Adolf Hitler during major public appearances. The double-sided wool banner is a full 10 feet square and was hand-painted by artists at its place of manufacture. It displays pristine condition with a bright red border stamped Fuhrer, gold wreath and eagle imagery, and a tab marked FIB, Pola (Fuhrer Political Flag). This estate piece is accompanied by two different photos of the flag as displayed in Nuremberg at the KongressHalle, a coliseum where Nazis held huge rallies. This is possibly the largest official Hitler flag in existence.

Nazi weapons include a World War II German Luftwaffe general’s sword made by “Carl Eickhorn” and commissioned by Reichsmarschall and Luftwaffe Commander-in-Chief Hermann Göring, who was known for his flashy appearance and extravagant tastes. The sword has an excellent 29½-inch nickel-plated blade, and the ornate, acid-etched panels on both the blade and spine are crisp and bright. The presentation inscription translates to “The National Minister of Aeronautics/Hermann Göring” and “In Grateful Recognition.” 

A World War II Nazi German medal grouping belonging to Rudolf Heynsen, Commander of the 27th Minesweeper Flotilla, includes a highly important Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross, Steinhauer & Lück B-type (unmarked). This type of medal, as discussed in a 2007 reference book by Dietrich Maerz, was awarded in recognition of extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership. The lot also includes a photo-postcard of Heynsen in uniform.

A trunk grouping consisting of property that belonged to Nazi German Panzer General and Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves recipient Fridolin von Senger und Etterlin includes a tailored wool uniform made in Italy. The military ensemble consists of a tunic, trousers and cap; and is accompanied by leather marching boots, a buckled belt, a dagger, and more. This grouping comes with provenance from the highly-regarded and now-closed AAF Tank Museum in Danville, Virginia.

From the “right” side of World War II, Milestone is pleased to offer a stellar US Naval grouping directly linked to Rear Admiral William Clayton Butler Jr., recipient of the Navy Cross for “extraordinary heroism and distinguished service.” Both the jacket (with medal bar) and trousers are name-identified to the admiral. Accompanied by a framed array of medals, a photo of Admiral Butler, photocopies of his service records, and a signed affidavit stating the medals are the ones he wore during the war.

The many collectors of wartime flight jackets will find a rare treasure in this sale: a World War II A-2-patched flight jacket for US 1st Combat Cargo Group, 1st Squadron, worn by aviator J.B. Bass. The US 1st CCG was particularly well known for flying dangerous supply missions within Asian combat zones. Bass’s jacket is impressively decorated with several fantastic China-Burma-India Theater leather insignias, including a large American Flag and blood chit on the back. It was made in 1936, suggesting Bass may have been an early member of the Army Air Corps.

Vietnam veteran and US Army Lieutenant Colonel Danny Cecil Miller (1942-2017) was a highly decorated career officer who received a Purple Heart, four Bronze Stars, the Vietnam Service Medal with five Service Stars, and many other medals and commendations. A group lot associated with Miller includes a weapon known to have been the first choice for Americans in Vietnam combat roles: a heavy-duty, nearly indestructible full-tang Randall fighting knife Model 14 4th. Along with its correct leather scabbard, the knife joins Miller’s dog tags and a photo of the colonel in uniform in a lot.

Approximately one dozen lots represent rare and coveted Civil War Confederate weapons and other antiques. A rare and well-preserved original Confederate sword made by Thomas Leech, Memphis, Tennessee, is of a type that was known as a “floating CS” staff and field officer's sword. Its 30-inch blade is identified with the engraved name Lieut. W. B. Spencer 31st, Regt. Tenn. Vols.

Other Confederate entries of note include foot soldier, cavalry and “short” swords; a writing desk named to Captain Julius H Norton with assorted documents from the 4th Arkansas Cavalry; a snare drum painted with the National Flags of the Confederacy; a key-wind engineer’s pocket watch; and a 2nd Mississippi ID’d snuff box.

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Milestone’s Saturday, January 18, 2025 Premier Military Auction will be held at Milestone’s gallery located at 38198 Willoughby Parkway, Willoughby (suburban Cleveland), OH 44094, and will be webcast live through Milestone’s website. Start time: 10 a.m. ET. All forms of remote bidding will be available, including live via the Internet through Milestone’s own bidding platform, LiveAuctioneers, or Invaluable. For additional information on any item in the auction or to reserve a phone line for auction-day bidding, call 440-527-8060 or email info@milestoneauctions.com. Online: www.milestoneauctions.com