Collector Reference

WW2 Militaria Glossary

From auction shorthand to authentication jargon, this A–Z reference covers the terms you'll encounter when buying, selling, or researching World War 2 militaria. Bookmark it — collectors use it constantly.

Allgemeine-SS: The general SS organisation, as distinct from the Waffen-SS (combat) and SS-Totenkopfverbände (concentration camp guards). Allgemeine-SS members held civilian and administrative roles. Items attributed to Allgemeine-SS are generally less valuable than Waffen-SS equivalents.
Armband: Cloth band worn on the upper left sleeve to denote political affiliation, unit, or function. NSDAP, RAD, HJ, and SS armbands are all collected. Condition of the woven or embroidered insignia and the stitching determines value.
Attribution: The process of linking a militaria item to a specific person, unit, or event. Strong attribution — a named soldier, a unit stamp, or a documented chain of ownership — significantly increases value and collectability.
Auction Estimate: The price range a specialist auction house expects an item to achieve at sale, published in the catalogue before bidding opens. Estimates are based on comparable recent sales and condition. Items regularly sell above estimate; selling below estimate (or failing to sell) signals weak market demand for that type.
Ausweis: An official German identity or pass document issued to military or party personnel, typically bearing a photograph, unit stamp, and issuing officer's signature. Ausweise are collected as provenance documents and are especially valuable when they can be matched to a helmet, dagger, or uniform from the same soldier.

Bevo: Machine-woven insignia produced by the Bandfabrik Ewald Vorsteher company of Wuppertal. Bevo eagles, sleeve shields, and cuffband titles are identified by their fine, tight weave and are generally more valuable than printed or hand-embroidered equivalents. The Bevo name is used generically by collectors to describe any fine machine-woven insignia of the period.
Bringback / Bring-back: A militaria item brought home by a soldier at the end of the war, typically as a personal souvenir. Bringbacks with documented provenance — a letter, photograph, or discharge papers linking the item to the soldier — command a significant premium over unprovenanced examples. Also written as 'vet bringback' or 'GI bringback'.
Bullion: Hand-embroidered insignia using metallic thread (gold or silver wire). Bullion insignia was used on officer-grade caps, gorgets, and dress uniforms. Genuine wartime bullion shows tarnishing consistent with age; bright, uniform thread is a reproduction warning sign.

Camo / Camouflage: Camouflage-painted or camouflage-covered militaria. On helmets, field-applied camouflage (paint, chicken wire, foliage loops) adds value when original and documented. Factory-applied camouflage commands the highest premiums.
Chained Dagger: An SA or SS dress dagger suspended from a chain hanger rather than a leather strap. Chain-hung variants are rarer and more valuable than strap versions. The chain itself should show consistent patina with the dagger fittings; bright or mismatched chain is a warning sign.
Chicken Wire: Field-applied wire mesh stretched over a helmet shell and secured to the rim, used to hold foliage, burlap strips, or netting for camouflage. Original chicken wire with consistent rust patina matching the shell adds value. Post-war applied wire is a common modification to plain helmets.
Chinstrap: The leather or fabric strap attached to the inside of a helmet to secure it under the chin. Original chinstraps in good condition add to helmet value. Replacement chinstraps reduce value but do not disqualify a helmet from purchase.
Close Combat Clasp (Nahkampfspange): Awarded to German soldiers for repeated close-combat engagements. Three grades: bronze, silver, and gold. The gold grade is extremely rare and among the most valuable German combat badges. All grades are heavily faked; authentication requires careful examination of construction, finish, and maker marks.
Condition: The physical state of a militaria item, typically graded from Mint (unissued, perfect) through Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, and Poor. Condition is the single biggest variable in value after rarity. A common item in mint condition can be worth more than a rare item in poor condition.
Consignment: Selling a militaria item through a dealer or auction house on the owner's behalf. The seller receives the proceeds minus a commission, typically 15–25% at specialist auction houses. Consignment is appropriate for high-value items where specialist marketing reaches the right buyers; for common items the commission may outweigh the benefit.
Cuffband (Ärmelband): A woven or embroidered sleeve band worn on the lower left sleeve, denoting unit affiliation or campaign service. Unit cuffbands (Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler, Großdeutschland) command higher premiums than campaign cuffbands (Afrika, Kreta, Narvik, Demjansk). Bevo-woven cuffbands are generally more valuable than printed versions. Condition of the lettering and the end tabs determines value.

DAK (Deutsches Afrikakorps): The German Africa Corps, commanded by Rommel and deployed in North Africa 1941–43. DAK-attributed items — helmets with tropical paint, tropical uniforms, Afrika Korps cuffbands — are highly sought after. Genuine DAK items show sand-coloured paint or tropical-weight fabric.
DD (Double Decal): A helmet bearing two original decals: typically the Wehrmacht eagle on the right side and the national tricolor shield on the left. Double-decal helmets are rarer and more valuable than single-decal examples because many were field-modified to remove one decal. For SS helmets, DD means SS runes right and national shield left.
Deaccession: The formal process of removing an item from a collection, typically through sale, donation, or transfer to another institution. Used by museums and serious private collectors. A deaccessioned museum piece with institutional paperwork carries strong provenance.
Deactivated: A firearm that has been permanently rendered incapable of firing, typically by welding or drilling, to comply with legal requirements. Deactivated firearms can be legally owned in many jurisdictions without a firearms licence. Value depends on the quality of the deactivation and whether the action still cycles.
Decal: The transfer insignia applied to the outside of a German steel helmet to denote branch of service. Decal condition is the primary value driver for German helmets. Survival rates vary by branch: SS decals are rarest, Luftwaffe eagle decals are more fragile than Heer tricolor decals.

EK1 / EK2 (Eisernes Kreuz): Iron Cross 1st Class and 2nd Class — the most common German military decorations of WW2. EK2 was awarded as a ribbon decoration; EK1 as a pin-back badge. Both are widely collected. Value depends on maker mark, condition, and whether the original case or ribbon is present.
Erkennungsmarke: The German dog tag — an oval aluminium disc stamped with the soldier's unit designation and personal number, perforated across the middle so it could be broken in half at death: one half remained with the body, the other was taken for records. The oval shape distinguishes it from Allied rectangular tags. Complete tags with legible stamps are collected as provenance items.
ET64: A manufacturer's code stamped inside the rim of a German steel helmet. ET = Eisenhüttenwerk Thale (a steel works in Thale, Germany); 64 = the steel lot number. ET64 is one of the most recognised helmet stamps and appears on M35, M40, and M42 shells. The stamp is used to date and authenticate helmets.

Fake / Reproduction: A militaria item made after the war to resemble an original, either for the collector market or as a deliberate fraud. SS helmets, Knight's Crosses, and high-value daggers are the most heavily faked categories. Authentication requires examination of materials, construction methods, and maker marks.
Fallschirmjäger: German paratroopers, part of the Luftwaffe. The Fallschirmjäger M38 paratrooper helmet is among the most valuable German helmets of any branch, with its distinctive low-profile shape and different suspension system from standard infantry helmets. Genuine M38s command strong premiums.
Feldgrau (Field Grey): The standard grey-green colour of German Army uniforms throughout WW2. Feldgrau shade varied by manufacturer and production year, which is useful for dating uniforms. Genuine wartime Feldgrau shows fading and wear consistent with age and use.

Gebirgsjäger: German mountain troops, identified by the Edelweiss badge worn on the mountain cap and upper left arm. Gebirgsjäger items command premiums due to their elite status and distinctive insignia. The Gebirgsjäger Edelweiss is one of the most recognisable German military badges and is frequently reproduced.
German Cross (Deutsches Kreuz): A star-shaped badge ranking between the Iron Cross 1st Class and the Knight's Cross, awarded for repeated acts of bravery or leadership. Two grades: gold (combat gallantry) and silver (war service merit). The gold grade is more commonly encountered and more widely collected. Both grades are found with various maker marks.
GI Bringback: See Bringback. Specifically refers to items brought home by American soldiers. GI bringbacks often come with discharge papers, letters, or photographs that establish provenance and significantly increase value.
Gorget: A crescent-shaped metal plate worn on a chain around the neck, used by German military police (Feldgendarmerie), SS, and other units to denote duty status. Gorgets are highly collectible. The Feldgendarmerie gorget with luminous paint is among the most sought-after.
Grade: A standardised condition rating applied to a militaria item. European auction houses commonly use a Roman numeral scale from I (mint/unissued) to VI (poor/heavily worn). Anglo-American dealers typically use Mint, Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, and Poor. Always confirm which scale a seller is using, as the same word can mean different things across markets.

Heer: The German Army (as distinct from the Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine, and Waffen-SS). Heer helmets carry a silver Wehrmacht eagle decal on the right side and a national tricolor shield on the left. Heer items are the most common category of German militaria.
Hewer (Hauer): A short, single-edged blade issued to forestry workers, RAD (Reich Labour Service) personnel, and fire service members. Often confused with combat knives by non-specialists. The RAD hewer is one of the most common German edged weapons; forestry and fire service variants are rarer. Value depends on maker mark, blade condition, and whether the original scabbard is present.
HJ (Hitlerjugend): Hitler Youth. HJ daggers, uniforms, and insignia are widely collected. The HJ knife with motto 'Blut und Ehre' (Blood and Honour) is one of the most common German edged weapons. Value depends on maker mark, blade condition, and whether the original scabbard is present.

Insignia: Badges, patches, pins, and other devices denoting rank, unit, qualification, or award. German insignia is one of the broadest collecting categories, ranging from common wound badges to extremely rare Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds.

Jagdgeschwader (JG): A Luftwaffe fighter wing, typically comprising three or four Gruppen of around 40 aircraft each. Well-known Jagdgeschwader include JG 2 Richthofen, JG 26 Abbeville Boys, and JG 52 (the highest-scoring fighter unit in history). Pilot items — logbooks, awards, photographs — attributed to a named Jagdgeschwader command premiums, especially for aces.
Jäger: Light infantry. Jäger units wore the Edelweiss badge on the lower left sleeve, distinct from Gebirgsjäger who wore it on the upper arm and mountain cap. Jäger insignia is less premium than Gebirgsjäger equivalents but still commands a modest collector premium over standard infantry items.

K98 (Karabiner 98k): The standard German bolt-action rifle of WW2. K98s are among the most collected WW2 firearms. Value depends on matching numbers (all components bearing the same serial number), proof marks, stock condition, and whether the rifle is deactivated or live. Matching-numbers examples command significant premiums.
Knight's Cross (Ritterkreuz): Germany's highest military decoration, awarded in five grades: Knight's Cross, with Oak Leaves, with Oak Leaves and Swords, with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds, and Grand Cross. Genuine Knight's Crosses are among the most valuable WW2 items. They are also among the most heavily faked — authentication is essential.
Kriegsmarine: The German Navy. Kriegsmarine items — helmets with the gilded national eagle on a black shield, naval uniforms, U-boat memorabilia — are among the rarest and most valuable German militaria categories. The Kriegsmarine was the smallest of the three main Wehrmacht branches.

Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler (LSSAH): The premier SS division, originally formed as Hitler's personal bodyguard regiment and expanded into a full Panzer division. LSSAH cuffbands, collar tabs, and documents are among the most valuable SS items. The LSSAH cuffband uses script (cursive Latin) lettering and is one of the most faked items in German militaria.
Liner: The internal suspension and padding system inside a steel helmet. Original liners are an important part of value for all German helmets. A helmet retaining its original liner and chinstrap is worth significantly more than the shell alone. Liner stamps (manufacturer code, date, size) are used to authenticate and date helmets.
Luftschutz: German civil air defence organisation. Luftschutz helmets are the least collectable German helmet category and do not command a premium. They are often confused with military helmets by non-specialists but are readily identified by their distinctive shape and markings.
Luftwaffe: The German Air Force. Luftwaffe helmets carry a distinctive forward-facing flying eagle (Adler) decal applied directly to the shell with no shield behind it.

M35: The 1935-pattern German steel helmet, identifiable by its rolled rim and ventilation bales with separate screws. The M35 is the most valuable of the three main German helmet models (M35, M40, M42) and commands the highest premiums, particularly in double-decal or SS configurations.
M40: The 1940-pattern German steel helmet, a simplified version of the M35 with stamped (rather than separate) ventilation bales. The M40 retains the rolled rim of the M35. Values are slightly lower than M35 equivalents but still strong for good-condition examples with intact decals.
M42: The 1942-pattern German steel helmet, the most simplified variant. The M42 has no rolled rim and crimped ventilation bales. It is the most common German helmet and generally the lowest-value of the three models, though SS M42 examples and camo variants still command strong prices.
Maker Mark: A manufacturer's stamp or code on a militaria item, used to identify the producer and date of manufacture. Maker marks are essential for authentication. On helmets, the maker mark appears inside the rim. On daggers, it appears on the blade ricasso. On medals, it appears on the reverse or ring.
Matching Numbers: A firearm in which all major components (receiver, barrel, bolt, stock) bear the same serial number, indicating they left the factory together and have not been assembled from parts. Matching-numbers firearms command significant premiums over mismatched examples.

Normandy Camo: Factory-applied multi-colour camouflage paint on German steel helmets, produced from mid-1944 onward and issued across all branches of the German military. The pattern typically combines green, brown, and ochre over the base paint. Normandy camo helmets are among the most valuable helmet variants. Field-applied camo is more common; genuine factory camo shows consistent application under the decal.
NS Marks / Added RZM Marks: Post-war additions of RZM or NS stamps to items that did not originally carry them, intended to increase apparent value or authenticity. Added marks are a common form of fakery on SS daggers and political items. Genuine RZM marks show consistent depth and style with the original manufacture.
NSDAP: Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei — the Nazi Party. NSDAP insignia, armbands, and political items are widely collected. The NSDAP eagle and swastika appear on a vast range of items from pins to podium banners.

Original: A militaria item manufactured during the period it purports to represent (for WW2 items, 1933–1945). 'Original' is the most important word in militaria collecting. An original item in poor condition is almost always more valuable than a reproduction in perfect condition.

P38 (Pistole 38): The standard German military sidearm from 1940, replacing the Luger P08. P38s are widely collected. Value depends on manufacturer code (ac, byf, svw), date, matching numbers, and holster. Walther-made examples (ac) are generally most sought after.
Piping (Waffenfarbe): Coloured piping on caps, collars, and shoulder boards denoting branch of service within the German military. Common colours include white (infantry), red (artillery), pink (Panzer/armoured), bright red (general staff), dark blue (medical), and yellow (cavalry/reconnaissance). Correct Waffenfarbe is an important authentication detail on uniforms and caps.
Portepee: The woven tassel-and-knot attached to the grip of a dress dagger or sword, denoting the wearer's rank. The presence of an original portepee in good condition adds to the value of a dress dagger or sword. Missing or replacement portepees reduce value.
Provenance: The documented history of ownership of a militaria item, from its original owner to the present day. Strong provenance — a named soldier, unit records, photographs, letters, or discharge papers — significantly increases value and provides authentication evidence. Provenance is especially important for high-value items.

RAD (Reichsarbeitsdienst): The Reich Labour Service, a compulsory labour organisation for young Germans before military service. RAD daggers, insignia, and uniforms are widely collected. The RAD hewer is one of the most common German edged weapons. RAD items are identified by the distinctive spade-and-wheat-sheaf insignia.
Reissue: A helmet or other item returned to depot after initial use and reissued to a second soldier. Reissued helmets may show a second liner stamp, overpainted or partially removed decals, or mismatched components. Reissues are less valuable than first-issue examples but are historically interesting and still collected.
Relic: A militaria item recovered from a battlefield or burial site, typically showing heavy corrosion, damage, or incomplete condition. Relic items have historical significance but generally lower monetary value than preserved examples. Relic helmets with battlefield provenance are an exception — documented battlefield finds can command premiums.
Reserve Price: The minimum price a seller will accept at auction. If bidding does not reach the reserve, the item is unsold (passed or bought-in). Reserve prices are typically set just below the low estimate. A lot that fails to sell at auction can often be purchased privately from the auction house at or near the reserve.
RZM (Reichszeugmeisterei): The Nazi Party's procurement and quality-control office. RZM marks on daggers, insignia, and uniforms indicate official party-approved manufacture. The RZM code identifies the manufacturer. RZM-marked items are generally more desirable than unmarked equivalents.

SA (Sturmabteilung): The Nazi Party's original paramilitary organisation, known as the Brownshirts. SA daggers, uniforms, and insignia are widely collected. The SA dagger with motto 'Alles für Deutschland' is one of the most common German edged weapons. Value depends on maker mark, blade condition, and whether the original scabbard is present.
Scabbard: The sheath for a dagger or sword, typically made of metal with leather or wood fittings. An original matching scabbard is required for full value on any German dress dagger. A dagger without its scabbard loses 30–50% of its value depending on the type. Replacement scabbards are common and reduce value, though they do not disqualify a dagger from purchase.
Size Stamp: The helmet size number stamped inside the rim of a German steel helmet, typically ranging from 54 to 68. Used alongside the maker mark and lot number to authenticate and date helmets. The size stamp should be consistent in depth and style with the maker mark; mismatched stamps suggest a replaced or faked rim.
Soldbuch: The German soldier's pay book and personal identification document, containing service record, unit assignments, equipment issued, wounds, and decorations. A Soldbuch is one of the most important provenance documents for German militaria. A helmet or dagger accompanied by the original owner's Soldbuch commands a significant premium.
SS (Schutzstaffel): The Nazi Party's paramilitary and security organisation, divided into the Allgemeine-SS (general), Waffen-SS (combat), and SS-Totenkopfverbände (concentration camp guards). SS militaria — helmets, daggers, insignia, uniforms — occupies the top tier of German militaria collecting and commands the highest prices. It is also the most heavily faked category.
SS Runes: The double lightning bolt insignia of the SS, derived from the runic letter Sig. On helmets, the SS runes decal appears on the right side of the shell. The condition of the SS runes decal is the single biggest value driver for SS helmets.

Tank Assault Badge (Panzerkampfabzeichen): Awarded to German tank crew members for participation in armoured combat. The standard badge was awarded after participation in three separate armoured engagements on three different days. From 1943, numbered variants were introduced with count plates (25, 50, 75, 100 engagements) for exceptional service; these numbered examples are significantly rarer and more valuable. Both the standard and numbered badges are found in silver and bronze grades.
Totenkopf (Death's Head): The skull-and-crossbones insignia used by the SS-Totenkopfverbände and Waffen-SS Totenkopf Division. Totenkopf insignia appears on caps, collar tabs, and rings. The SS Totenkopf ring is among the most valuable and most faked items in German militaria.
Tresse: The silver or gold braid worn on NCO collar patches and cap bands to denote non-commissioned rank. Bullion tresse on officer caps is more valuable than aluminium wire versions. Tresse condition — whether the braid is intact, tarnished, or fraying — is an important grading factor on caps and tunics.
Tropical (Tropisch): Equipment and uniforms manufactured for use in hot climates, primarily North Africa. Tropical items are identified by sand-coloured paint, lightweight fabric, and specific maker marks. DAK (Deutsches Afrikakorps) tropical items command significant premiums.
Tunic (Waffenrock / Feldbluse): The standard German military jacket, worn in various patterns across all branches. Value depends on branch, the rank insignia and awards present, maker label, and overall condition. Named tunics — where the original owner can be identified through a Soldbuch or other document — command the highest premiums. SS and Fallschirmjäger tunics are the most valuable.

Unissued: A militaria item that was manufactured but never issued to a soldier or used in service. Unissued items are in the highest possible condition and command the highest premiums. Genuine unissued items may retain original packaging, wax paper, or cosmoline preservation grease.

Vet Bringback: See Bringback. A militaria item brought home by a veteran. The term is used interchangeably with 'bringback' and 'GI bringback'. Items with documented vet bringback provenance — photographs of the soldier with the item, letters, discharge papers — command significant premiums.
Volkssturm: The German national militia raised in the final months of the war (September 1944 onward), comprising men previously considered unfit for service. Volkssturm armbands, improvised equipment, and late-war documents are collected as historically significant end-of-war items. Values are modest but growing as the category gains collector interest.

Waffen-SS: The combat arm of the SS, which fought alongside the Wehrmacht. Waffen-SS items are among the most valuable in German militaria. Key divisions — Leibstandarte, Das Reich, Totenkopf, Wiking — have their own cuffbands and insignia that command premiums over generic Waffen-SS items.
Waffenamt: The German Army Weapons Office, responsible for inspecting and approving military equipment. Waffenamt acceptance stamps (eagle over a number, e.g. WaA135) appear on firearms, helmets, and other equipment. The presence of a correct Waffenamt stamp is an important authentication marker.
Wehrpass: The German soldier's military service record book, predating the Soldbuch and covering pre-war service, training, and unit history. Less detailed than a Soldbuch but valuable as a provenance document, particularly when it can be matched to a helmet, dagger, or uniform from the same soldier.
Wehrmacht: The unified armed forces of Nazi Germany 1935–1945, comprising the Heer (Army), Luftwaffe (Air Force), and Kriegsmarine (Navy). The Waffen-SS fought alongside but was not formally part of the Wehrmacht. 'Wehrmacht' is often used loosely to refer to German Army (Heer) items specifically.
Wound Badge (Verwundetenabzeichen): Awarded to German soldiers wounded in combat, in three grades: black (one or two wounds), silver (three or four wounds), and gold (five or more wounds, or permanently disabled). Gold wound badges are rare and valuable. The badge was also awarded posthumously.

Zeltbahn: The German soldier's triangular shelter quarter, which could be combined with others to form a tent. Zeltbahns were also worn as ponchos. Camouflage-pattern Zeltbahns (Splittertarn, Sumpftarn) are collected as uniform items. Value depends on pattern, condition, and whether the original buttons and ties are present.

Common Questions About Militaria Terms

What does 'DD' mean in WW2 militaria?

DD stands for Double Decal — a helmet bearing two original decals. On Heer helmets this means the Wehrmacht eagle on the right and the national tricolor shield on the left. On SS helmets it means SS runes on the right and the national shield on the left. Double-decal helmets are rarer and more valuable than single-decal examples.

What is a bringback in WW2 collecting?

A bringback (also written bring-back or vet bringback) is a militaria item brought home by a soldier as a personal souvenir at the end of the war. Items with documented provenance — a letter, photograph, or discharge papers linking the item to the soldier — command a significant premium over unprovenanced examples.

What does ET64 mean on a German helmet?

ET64 is a manufacturer's stamp found inside the rim of German steel helmets. ET stands for Eisenhüttenwerk Thale, a steel works in Thale, Germany. The number 64 is the steel lot number. This stamp is used to authenticate and date helmets and is one of the most recognised helmet codes among collectors.

What is a Soldbuch?

A Soldbuch is the German soldier's pay book and personal identification document. It contains the soldier's service record, unit assignments, equipment issued, wounds received, and decorations awarded. A Soldbuch is one of the most important provenance documents in German militaria — a helmet or dagger accompanied by the original owner's Soldbuch commands a significant premium.

What does RZM mean on a German dagger or insignia?

RZM stands for Reichszeugmeisterei, the Nazi Party's procurement and quality-control office. RZM marks on daggers, insignia, and uniforms indicate official party-approved manufacture. The RZM code identifies the specific manufacturer. RZM-marked items are generally more desirable than unmarked equivalents.

Related Guides

German Helmet Value Guide

Militaria Identification Guide

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