Welcome to The Vault Militaria
Welcome to
The Vault Militaria
Authentic pieces. Timeless stories. Exceptional service.
The Vault Militaria is the UK’s newest destination for authentic wartime memorabilia and collectables. Specialising in rare and hard-to-find items from World War I and World War II, we offer history enthusiasts and collectors a carefully curated selection of genuine artefacts.
new items every week
Rare finds
Our team of experts meticulously sources, authenticates, and catalogues each piece, ensuring that you receive only the finest quality items with verified provenance. And we’re adding more and more items on a regular basis.
From battle-worn uniforms and medals to vintage weapons, field equipment, and personal effects, The Vault Militaria brings you closer to the tangible remnants of wartime history.
knowledge & experience
We buy & sell
The founders of The Vault Militaria bring over 50 years of combined collecting experience to the table. They have a pair of keen eyes for the unusual together with an extensive knowledge of wartime collectables to ensure that every item offered is both authentic and exceptional.
With decades spent honing their expertise, they’ve developed an unparalleled ability to source and validate rare military artifacts, making The Vault Militaria a trusted name in the field.
Contact Mark on 07471 058445 or Andrew on 07944 609319
Contact Mark on 07471 058445
or Andrew on 07944 609319
latest additions
Browse our latest items
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Royal Doulton Auxiliary Fireman
£45.00 SKU: 0097AThis piece is a genuine Royal Doulton piece. Designed by Stanley J Taylor, only 9500 were made. This one is a very early one, numbered “164” and is dated 1990. This one is clearly of a Auxiliary Fireman from WW2. Otherwise known as AFS, or Auxiliary Fire Service. Formed in 1938, is had both men and later, women in its ranks. Usually volunteers who served along side regular jobs. In August 1941, the AFS and local fire brigades were merged into a single body: the National Fire Service (NFS). Auxiliaries were absorbed into the NFS, but many still referred to themselves proudly as “auxiliary firemen.” Auxiliary firemen represented the ordinary citizen stepping up to protect their community under fire. Their role is remembered as a cornerstone of the Home Front, alongside ARP wardens and the Women’s Voluntary Service. In excellent condition with no cracks, chips, crazing or other damage, it comes with original certification card which also matches the number; “164” which can also be seen on the base of this piece. These pieces fit excellently into Home Front collections, even though they were not made during WW2, they depict important and notable people from this time. -
Royal Doulton ARP Warden
£45.00 SKU: 0096AThis piece is genuine Royal Doulton. Designed by Stanley J Taylor, only 9500 were made. This one is a very early one, numbered “164” and is dated 1990. This one is clearly of an ARP Fire Warden from WW2. ARP Fire Wardens were civilian volunteers who played a vital role on the Home Front during WW2. Armed with little more than a steel helmet, a whistle, a torch, and basic equipment such as stirrup pumps and sandbags, they patrolled the streets during air raids to enforce blackout regulations and deal with incendiary bombs. Their quick action often prevented small fires from spreading into major blazes, especially during the Blitz. Though unpaid and frequently working in dangerous conditions, Fire Wardens were a crucial first line of defence in protecting Britain’s towns and cities from destruction. In excellent condition with no cracks, chips, crazing or other damage, it comes with original certification card which also matches the number; “164” which can also be seen on the base of this piece. These pieces fit excellently into Home Front collections, even though they were not made during WW2, they depict important and notable people from this time. -
WW2 1942 Dated US Aviator Playing Cards
£15.00 SKU: 0095AAviator Playing Cards were first introduced by the U.S. Playing Card Company (USPCC, Cincinnati) in 1927. This pack, dated 1942 (WW2 era) is also marked “Gift of the American Red Cross” on the back. They were a cheaper alternative to USPCC’s top brand (Bicycle), but still high quality and widely sold. During the war, Aviator became one of the standard-issue brands supplied to U.S. troops, both domestically and overseas. This pack here is missing one single card. The King of Hearts. Someone, has taken the Joker card, and marked it King of Hearts as a replacement. Aside from this, every single card is present (we checked!). In addition, there are two ‘advert’ cards. One for a rule book for 125 different card games and one for a specific book on Poker, claiming the book will make you an ‘expert’. There’s a third card included, that mentions the mark of a particular stamp indicates a better quality product. An American WW2 version of a quality stamp, however, this card also states it can be used as an extra joker and has the same back design as all the other playing cards. The box is in fair condition, some general wear and tear but it still opens and closes perfectly fine, and the ink in the printing of the design is bright and the date is CLEARLY readable. It also has the classic ‘Made in the USA’ mark on the side of the pack, and being an ‘Aviator brand’ there’s a design of a plane on the front and back of the pack. -
The Land Girl No. 3 Volume 5 June 1944
£30.00 SKU: 0094APublished in June 1944, during the closing stages of WW2, this copy of The Land Girl (No. 3 Volume 5) is the official magazine of the Women’s Land Army (WLA), first launched in 1940. Issued every two months and circulated among WLA members across Britain, its primary aim was to build a sense of community and boost morale for women often stationed far from home. At the same time, it provided updates on news and policy, along with practical farming advice. To balance the serious content, it also offered light entertainment in the form of articles, business advertisements, personal notices, photographs, and reports from counties across the country. Despite its modest size (5.5 x 8.5 inches), the magazine managed to pack in a remarkable variety of material. There is a very small rip on the spine of the front cover at the top, and the metal staples have tarnished but aside from this, this magazine is in very good condition indeed. There’s no staining of the pages, each and every page is there with no dog-eared ones. No one has marked any of the pages, nothing has been cut out or removed. The staples as stated, have rusted so the cover is delicate, but it’s not about to just fall off. These magazines are a lovely piece of Home Front history, but also supporting the WLA which is a part of WW2 that’s often left on the side lines. -
The Land Girl No. 3 Volume 6 June 1945
£30.00 SKU: 0093APublished in June of 1945 (end of WW2), this “The Land Girl” is No. 3 Volume 6. It’s the official magazine of the WLA (Women’s Land Army) and was first published in 1940. It was published bi-monthly and was distributed to WLA members across Britain. It’s main purpose was to foster a sense of community and morale among women who were often stationed far from home, but it also gave the WLA and it’s members updates of news and policy. Additionally, it gave advice on farming techniques and provided some light entertainment too with articles, business adverts, printed photographs, personal adverts and also, news from various counties around the country. Quite a lot for such a physically small magazine (5.5 x 8.5 inches). This one here has a fold down the middle (top to bottom) though, it’s not too deep. There’s a small stain on the front cover, and the staples holding it all together have tarnished BUT, they are still there. No pages have been ripped out, no pages have been dog-eared, written on, marked or torn. It’s clearly dated on the front cover and is a lovely piece that helps to cover an all to often looked over part of WW2; the WLA. -
WW1 German 98/05 “Butcher” Bayonet – Simpson & Co. 1916
£230.00 SKU: 0289MHere we have a good example of the iconic German 98/05 bayonet, more commonly known to collectors as the "Butcher Bayonet" due to its distinctive heavy blade profile. The blade is nice and bright and in excellent condition. It has received a light sharpen, while still retaining a good, sharp tip. The blade is maker-marked on the ricasso "Simpson & Co Suhl", a well known and prolific manufacturer of bayonets during the First World War. On the spine we find the usual markings: a crown over a "W" (for Kaiser Wilhelm II), the date 16 (for 1916), and an additional inspection stamp beneath. The grips are in excellent condition, showing a lighter shade of wood, and secured firmly with two screw bolts. The flashguard is undamaged, and the rifle retaining button remains fully functional. The scabbard is straight and free of any dents, with its original throat screw intact. There are two inspection stamps on the throat and another on the frog lug, all still visible. Completing the set is the correct pattern leather frog. The frog clearly shows age and service wear but retains its stitching and rivets. The blade fits the scabbard exactly how it should, with a snug fit. The bayonet shows honest wear and age, yet remaining in solid condition.
We sell to the USA, Europe, and most worldwide destinations.
All items are securely packed for safe transit.
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Imperial German Fireman’s Short Sword/Bayonet & Frog (Sawback)
£495.00 SKU: 0288MThis is a very good example of an Imperial German Fireman's Short Sword/Bayonet, complete with its original leather hanger, which is a bonus to see, as most have been separated over time. Blade: Bright plated blade, retaining around 95% of its original plating, with only a small area of loss. the blade is unmarked, with its original red buffer pad, and incorporates a serrated sawback edge - though, as is typical of ceremonial examples, the teeth are lightly cut rather than deeply pronounced. Hilt & Guard: Brass fittings are in excellent condition, with a grooved clamshell guard. The black wooden grip is undamaged and in excellent condition, showing only light handling wear. The rear of the grip displays honest wear from where the suspension straps have pressed against it - a small but appealing detail that I believe adds character. Scabbard: Original black leather scabbard with brass fittings. The lower fitting shows some small indentations but nothing major, while the upper fitting shows a decorated acorn motif. The leather body retains all its stitching and remains strong. Hanger: The original black leather hanger survives complete, with both buckles intact. It does show age and some wear, but remains solid. Overall, a very nice example that would make a great display piece.
We sell to the USA, Europe, and most worldwide destinations.
All items are securely packed for safe transit.
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WW2 England’s Glory Matches
£85.00 SKU: 0092AThe “England’s Glory” brand of matches came about before WW2, they were even around in WW1 (though this pack is WW2 era). They were first made in the 1860’s in Gloucester. Coming in little boxes of around 40 matches, they could be bought in larger packs like this one here. This example, still has the original paper packaging which has sadly seen better days. The paper packaging itself is VERY thin, hence its condition, it has many small rips and tears. However, it’s done its job over the decades, and kept the matchboxes inside in excellent condition. Each box contains matches with ‘pink heads’, a striker plate on the side and of course, the England’s Glory logo on the front. On the back, is some text (see pictures) and here’s something interesting; these boxes are numbered. In the pictures, we have displayed No. 637 and 636. Each number has different text on it and included in this pack are 12 boxes of matches in total. The matchboxes themselves appear to be in perfect condition, and full. PLEASE NOTE: this item will be packaged VERY well, to protect it. Also, it will be shipped to you, wrapped in cling film. The cling film is NOT original, it’s only there to help protect it while it’s being delivered to you.
