Old War Souvenirs
Warning—again: Old war souvenirs, grenades, weapons, bullets and dynamite stored in the attic of a war veteran could be dangerous. A World War I-era explosive was removed from a Pennsylvania antiques auction on April 20, 2013, when someone realized it was a German “potato masher” stick grenade. State police took it away. The grenade was a type used from about 1918 to 1945. It looks like a long stick, but it has an explosive head and a cord at the end of the handle that could set off an explosion. The blast itself caused damage when early versions of the grenade were used. Later grenades were made with a metal sleeve that blew apart, sending shrapnel to cause more injuries. Some types could be thrown about 40 yards, useful against soldiers in trenches.
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My Dad was a veteran of WWII, recently passed at 97 (2021). In clearing his home, we found a box of Nazi “souvenirs” collected during his service in Europe (ETO). Also, photo albums from the day after Buchenwald was liberated, Bridge at the Remagen, Battle of the Bulge. There are SS badges, SS lapel pins, death camp badges with skulls, swastika arm bands, silver equestrian stirrups with leather lacings, sashes inscribed/embroidered with German from rallies, so many items. From a historical perspective, one should never forget the atrocities of the Third Reich but my inclination is to burn or bury the souvenirs. However, they meant something to my Dad. How does one donate to war museums or is there any interest in such items for collectors?