Fair Vintage  /  What We Buy  /  Militaria
helmets · uniforms · badges · trench art · military equipment · UK-wide

Sell militaria & military antiques.
Researched. Valued in writing. Fair price.

WW1 and WW2 helmets, uniforms, cap badges, shoulder titles, trench art, bayonets, military equipment, and regimental items. Every piece researched, identified, and valued individually — not bought in bulk at a flat rate.

Military items found during house clearances and estate probate are often undervalued because sellers don't know what they have. A named helmet, a documented uniform, or a scarce cap badge can be worth far more than generic "old army stuff." Free insured postage. Written valuation with research. Paid in 72 hours.

Order your free insured postage pack → Email a photo first
Per item
Researched and
valued individually
YouTube
Opened live
on camera
£5,000
Insurance both ways
standard, no extra cost
72 hrs
Payment guaranteed
or +3% added

What we buy

  • WW1 & WW2 helmets — British Brodie, German M35/M40/M42, US M1, paratrooper helmets, tropical helmets. Original paint, liners, and chin straps are key to value
  • Military uniforms — battledress, tunics, great coats, flying jackets, tank crew overalls. Named and documented uniforms command premiums
  • Cap badges & shoulder titles — regimental badges, officer's cap badges, sweetheart brooches, formation signs. Rare regiments and disbanded units are most valuable
  • Trench art — decorated shell cases, letter openers from cartridges, embossed brass pieces, POW craft. Quality of workmanship and inscriptions drive value
  • Bayonets & edged weapons — British 1907 pattern, German K98, fighting knives, commando daggers. Must qualify as antique (pre-1954) or have blades under 50cm
  • Military equipment — binoculars, compasses, map cases, entrenching tools, mess tins with markings, signalling equipment
  • Documents & ephemera — pilot's log books, service records, identity discs, wartime photographs, operational maps, escape and evasion kits
  • Home Front items — ARP helmets and equipment, gas masks in original boxes, ration books, Home Guard items, Civil Defence

What determines the value of militaria

The single most important factor in militaria values is provenance — can the item be connected to a specific individual, unit, or event? A standard-issue British helmet is worth £40–£80. The same helmet with a named soldier's details, documented service record, and photographs can be worth many times that figure.

Condition matters, but in a specific way. Collectors of militaria value originality above cosmetic appearance. An unrestored WW2 German helmet with original paint, even if chipped and worn, is worth far more than one that has been repainted. Never clean, polish, repaint, or restore militaria before selling — it will reduce, not increase, the value.

Rarity of the unit, theatre of war, and type of item all play a role. Airborne forces, special operations (SOE, SAS, LRDG), and early-war items tend to command premiums. German items, particularly those with original decals and markings, have a strong international collector market.

Items we do not buy on this page

Military medals are assessed on our dedicated sell military medals UK page, where each medal is researched using the London Gazette and regimental records. If you have both medals and militaria, you can send everything together — we assess each category with the appropriate expertise.

The process

Four steps to your militaria valuation

Step 01

Order your free insured postage pack

Tell us roughly what you have. We send a free prepaid, tracked and insured label the same working day.

Step 02

Pack your items

Wrap each item individually in bubble wrap. Helmets need padding inside. Bayonets must have the blade wrapped securely. Insured to £5,000 from the moment the courier scans it.

Step 03

Live YouTube opening

Your parcel is opened publicly on YouTube before any specialist touches the contents. Broadcast time confirmed in advance. Every item visible on camera.

Step 04

Written valuation, then payment

Each item researched and identified. Written valuation with explanation. Accept or decline. Return anything free. Payment within 72 hours — or we add 3%.

Full process guide →
Common questions

Answered honestly.

Call us on 01234 815116 or email support@fairvintage.co.uk.

Order your free pack →

Is WW2 militaria legal to sell in the UK?

Yes — helmets, uniforms, badges, trench art, bayonets (antique pre-1954 or blades under 50cm), and equipment are all legal to sell. Items containing live ordnance or functioning firearms without a licence cannot be sold. Contact us with photographs if you are unsure about a specific item.

How much is a WW2 helmet worth?

A standard British Brodie in good condition might be £40–£80. German helmets with original decals and paint can be £300–£2,000+. Paratrooper helmets, SS-marked helmets, and camouflaged examples command the highest premiums. Named helmets with provenance are worth significantly more than anonymous examples.

Do you buy trench art?

Yes. Value depends on craftsmanship quality, inscriptions, dates, and regimental associations. Simple decorated shell cases are £15–£40; elaborate pieces with named battles or provenance can be worth significantly more.

What militaria is most valuable?

Items with provenance — documented connection to a named individual, unit, or action. Original German helmets with decals, SOE and special forces equipment, airborne items, and pilot's log books command strong premiums. Condition and originality are critical: unrestored items with honest wear are worth more than cleaned or repainted examples.

Related pages
Medals
Sell military medals UK
WW1
Sell WW1 medals UK
Guide
Military medal values UK
Inherited Items
Selling inherited collections
Researched individually · Written valuation · Free insured postage · No obligation

Find out what your militaria
is actually worth.

Order your free insured postage pack. Every item researched, identified, and valued in writing. Opened live on YouTube. Paid within 72 hours.

Order your free insured postage pack → Email a photo first
✓  EACH ITEM RESEARCHED ✓  WRITTEN VALUATION ✓  FREE INSURED POSTAGE BOTH WAYS ✓  PAID IN 72 HOURS OR +3%