At Catawiki, we curate high-quality military collectables that appeal to passionate collectors. Our auctions feature original historical artefacts and equipment from all nations and time periods. We only accept authentic collectables valued at €50 or more. Our experts review every submission to make sure bidders find special, rare and valuable objects.
Follow these guidelines to increase your chances of a successful sale.
What we accept
We’re looking for authentic, high-quality, and collector-worthy movie-related objects. To be accepted, your object must:
- Fall within our accepted categories:
- Military uniforms, headgear, boots, parade dress
- Helmets, belts, buckles, armbands, shoulder tabs
- Combat gear and equipment
- Medals, awards, banners, flags (excluding Dutch royal decorations)
- Documents, letters, books, newspapers, magazines, photos
- Personal effects from soldiers and officers
- Come from any military period, including:
- Pre-1899 wars (e.g. Napoleonic, British colonial)
- 1900–1918 (WWI), 1919–1945 (WWII)
- 1946–1975 (e.g. Indochina, Korea, Algeria, Vietnam)
- 1976–present-day military collectables
- Be of historical value, original (not a replica) and in at least good condition
- Meet the minimum expected value of €50
(You can combine objects in one submission to meet this threshold)
What we do not accept
To keep our auctions trustworthy and attractive to buyers, we do not accept:
- Asbestos gas masks
- Replicas or reproduction art without proof of authenticity
- Objects mass-produced post-1945 with little collector value
- Common army surplus items
- Controversial, offensive, or propaganda items
- Anything promoting hate or discrimination, including but not limited to:
- Items from Nazi Germany, including the Wehrmacht
- Nazi symbols, hate speech, or anything linked to war criminals
📌 Examples of rejected objects:
- Vintage Military Gas Mask (USSR/Eastern European) - 1977
- Germany Air Force - Military medal - Reichsadler War Christmas - 1941
- Military medal - Soviet Union “Order of Victory” - Replica badge
Getting your submission ready
1. Fill in all the details and write a clear description
When you submit an object, you’ll see fields to guide you in providing the right information, such as: type of object, country of origin, branch of armed forces, historical period, condition, etc. These fields ensure your listing is clear, searchable, and easy for bidders to understand.
Note: To determine condition, we use the following grading system:
- As new – Unused without imperfections.
- Excellent – Unused with very minor imperfections.
- Very good – Barely used, showing minor signs of wear.
- Good – Used, with visible signs of wear and tear.
- Poor – Heavily used, with ageing and visible wear & tear or damaged. Objects in this condition are not accepted.
Please also use the object description field to share:
- Unique features or notable history of the object
- What is included/not included (e.g. original packaging, certification, etc.)
- Where the object came from/how it was obtained (especially for autographs or props)
- If the object has any flaws
Tip: The more detail you provide, the easier it is for bidders to understand the value of your object – and the more likely it is to sell. Find here more tips on how to write a clear, accurate description.
📌 Examples of a well-written description:
“U.S. Army Air Forces – World War II – complete uniform grouping of pilot Robert T. Curtiss (Buffalo, New York)
Very nice and completely original grouping of Second Lieutenant Robert T. Curtiss, pilot in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II.
Contents of the lot
Original officer’s jacket with matching trousers, shirt and khaki tie.
Collar insignia (U.S. and propeller insignia for Army Air Forces).
U.S. Army Air Forces shoulder patch.
Second Lieutenant rank insignia.
Original pilot wings.
Complete set of medal ribbons:
Air Medal with oak leaf cluster (awarded multiple times).
American Campaign Medal.
Campaign Medal with campaign stars.
WWII Victory Medal.
Newspaper clippings and obituary mentioning the name of Robert T. Curtiss, which irrefutably document the provenance and authenticity.
Historical background
Robert T. Curtiss of Buffalo, NY, trained as a pilot and served as an instructor in the U.S. Army Air Forces. He was honorably discharged as a Second Lieutenant in August 1945.
His war career took him to Europe, where he was active in the PTO (Pacific Theater of Operations), for which he received several distinctions.
After the war, Curtiss had a remarkable career: he became a prison guard and later Deputy Superintendent of the Albion Correctional Facility. He gained national attention after being taken hostage during the infamous ATTICA PRISON RIOT of 1971.
Details:
Full uniform grouping, complete with trousers, shirt, tie and documented provenance.
Uniform and awards in excellent condition, with nice patina.
The included archive material (newspaper articles and obituary) make this an exceptional collector's item, with a highly traceable personal history.
A unique opportunity to acquire a fully documented Air Forces pilot grouping from WWII – with a clear link to a veteran and his extraordinary life story”.
2. Great photos matter
Photos are the first thing bidders see – so make them count! We recommend including several high-quality images that clearly show the condition and details of your object. This helps bidders make informed decisions and increases your chances of a successful sale.
Your photos should include:
For all submissions:
- A 360° view of the object
- All sides (front, back, top, bottom, inside if applicable)
- Close-ups of key features, inscriptions, maker’s marks
- High-resolution images of any certificates or documents
- Clear images of any wear, damage, or restorations
For grouped submissions:
- Overview image including all objects, as well as photos of each one individually
Tip: Avoid photos with people, selfies, or screenshots. Use a neutral background (white or black), avoid low-quality or stock images, and aim for natural lighting. Find here more tips on how to take professional photos.
📌 Examples of good vs. bad photos:
3. Additional proof of authenticity
We pay extra attention to ensure authenticity of high-value objects to protect bidders and ensure a trustworthy marketplace. We may request additional verification before approval:
✔ Third-party certificate of authenticity
✔ UV light test photo
✔ Proof of ownership (e.g. receipts, previous sales, provenance records)
Note: Approval stays at discretion of the expert.
Ready to sell? List your militaria today
Selling with us is free – commission is only applied if your object sells.
Follow these guidelines to maximise your chances of success.
Register as a seller and submit your object for auction now.

