REGULARS

What the Editor has to say about this month’s issue as the British Navy hunted down the pride of the Kriegsmarine to avenge the loss of HMS Hood.

News
What’s happening in the world of militaria, museums, exhibitions, collections and events. This month we’re reporting on the roadmap out of lockdown for various museums as well as the news that HRH Prince Philip has passed away.

Militaria for sale
Lenny Warren takes a trip around the internet in search of rare, interesting and desirable collectables.

EVENTS
In the sale rooms
Discover what’s coming up for auction with some incredible firearms at Rock Island Auctions, various Third Reich items at Ratisbon’s 42 History Auction and highly sought after medals at Bishop & Miller.

Tales from the saleroom
Steve Woolnough tackles the thorny subject of pre-sale estimates in our look inside the world of auctions.

Under the hammer
Let’s have a look at what’s gone under the hammer in auction rooms, with badges at Bosleys, medals at DNW and a variety of militaria from WWI and WWII at Canterbury Auction Sales.

FEATURES
The Home Service helmet
Ray Westlake looks at the distinctive British Army headdress and its badges that was introduced in 1878.

German dress daggers and swords
John C Pursley takes a look at the ornamental weaponry of the Third Reich that harked back to more chivalrous times.

Iraq medal
In this new series on collectable but lesser-known medals, Peter Duckers discovers an uncommon partner to British medals for service on the Iraq frontiers from 1924-1936.

The sinking of SS Auld Norge 
Graham Priest tells the story of the Germany plan to send a ship filled with weapons to Ireland in 1916.

Medals for Trafalgar
Duncan Evans takes a look at a pair of lesser-known medals awarded for the iconic sea battle by Boulton and Davidson.

Marine Raiders
John C Pursley investigates the origins and actions of the select few who served in the short-lived WWII organisation that was formed inside the Marine Corps.

The lost bayonet
Graham Priest traces the history of a bayonet back to Sir William Pepperrell and the War of the Austrian Succession in 1740-48.

War Stories: Proksza Gertruda
Tim Heath tells the story of a Polish woman forced to work on the German railways and her award of the Auschwitz Survivors Cross.

The Nordic heavyweight
The designer of the well-known M/31 Suomi also created a huge anti-tank rifle. Michael Heidler has the story of the Lahti L-39.

British in Crimea
Gabriele Esposito describes the composition and organisation of British forces in the Crimean War of 1853-1856.

Photo Inspector
Ray Westlake looks at a Bugler of the 1st Cadet Battalion Cheshire Regiment.

COVER FEATURES
Sink the Bismarck!
The German battleship was the most powerful warship of her age but, after sinking the pride of the Royal Navy, her maiden voyage lasted just seven days, as Mark Wood explains.

Navy collectables
Edward Hallett looks at focussing a collection based around the hunting and sinking of a German naval icon.

SIGNALS
Militaria reviews
Duncan Evans takes a look at the latest releases including The Churchill Quiz Book, Covert Radio Agents, Abandon Ship and Britain’s Airborne Forces of WWII.

Your Letters
Your comments on what you’ve been reading and doing. This month we’re discussing the feature on Das Reich from last month, some new idea suggestions and Australian medals.

Auction & Fair Diary
Lockdown is starting to lift so check out the online arrangements for the auctions where you can top up your militaria collection while being confined to quarters.