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
Browse our latest items
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This is an original WW2 British MX-137/A corner reflector, complete with its original transit case and instruction sheet. Corner reflectors of this type were issued as part of air-sea rescue equipment, designed to increase the visibility of life rafts on radar. By reflecting radar signals, they significantly improved the chances of detection during search and rescue operations, particularly in poor visibility or open sea conditions. As such, they were an important piece of survival equipment used by RAF and naval personnel during the war. The reflector remains housed within its original cardboard transit case, which is clearly marked with British Stock details and period inspection stamps. The original instruction sheet is also present, illustrating how the reflector would be assembled and deployed when required. These paper instructions are often missing, so their inclusion here is a strong point. The contents remain inside the case and have not been removed, which is quite common with examples of this type. Given the age and construction, it has been left undisturbed to preserve its integrity. An attempt was made to carefully remove the contents for photography, however they appear firmly in place, and no force has been applied to avoid causing damage. As such, the item is presented and sold as seen. Condition is consistent with age and storage. The outer case shows wear, fading, staining, and some reinforcement with old tape, all of which is visible in the photos. The internal components appear intact from what can be seen, and the instruction sheet shows signs of use and age but remains readable. A scarce and interesting piece of WW2 survival equipment, appealing to collectors of RAF, naval, and air-sea rescue related items.
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WW2 German K98 Bayonet – Matching Numbers – 1941 ASW (E&F Hörster, Solingen)
£195.00 SKU: 0399MAn original World War II German S84/98 III K98 bayonet dated 1941 and manufactured by ASW (E. & F. Hörster, Solingen). This is a matching numbers example.
Condition is clearly service-worn and this is not a piece for the collectors chasing mint condition, but it remains an honest wartime bayonet with matching numbers. The sharpening of the blade has been reflected in the price.
Blade
The blade retains a reasonable amount of its original bluing, though it has unfortunately been sharpened in a heavy-handed manner. This sharpening has left visible scratches running along the blade. The ricasso is stamped with the number 7684. The reverse carries the date 1941 together with the maker mark ASW, the wartime code used by E. & F. Hörster, Solingen.
Hilt & Grips
The hilt is fitted with dark bakelite grip plates which remain in good condition, and are secured with their original screw bolts. The rifle retaining button is functioning correctly, and the pommel carries the usual Waffenamt inspection stamps. The flash guard remains undamaged.
Scabbard
The steel scabbard is structurally sound and retains its original throat screw. The front of the scabbard carries the matching serial number 7684, with 1941 and ASW stamped to the reverse.
There is one noticeable indentation to the rear lower section of the scabbard. Most of the original bluing has been lost and the scabbard now shows surface rust and age-related wear.
Wear marks indicate the scabbard has previously been carried in a frog. The bayonet fits the scabbard correctly and securely as expected from a matching set.
Overall
This is not a mint example and the blade has been poorly sharpened, however, it remains a genuine wartime K98 bayonet with matching numbers, which is always desirable.
The condition has been fully reflected in the price, making it an affordable example for collectors who prefer honest, been-there-and -done-it pieces.
Historical Note
The S84/98 bayonet was the standard bayonet issued with the Karabiner 98k rifle during the Second World War. Produced by a number of manufacturers, these bayonets were carried by German forces throughout the war.
The maker code ASW was used by E. & F. Hörster, Solingen, one of the major producers of German edged weapons during the period.
We ship to the USA, Europe, and most worldwide destinations.
All items are carefully packed for safe transit. -
This is an original WW2 British ARP “Householders’ First Aid Case”, a civilian-issued emergency medical kit sold through Boots and intended for use on the Home Front during air raids. Designed to provide immediate treatment in the aftermath of bombing raids, kits such as this were kept in homes, workplaces, and shelters across Britain. They were intended for use before professional medical assistance could be reached, and the contents reflect the types of injuries expected during air raid conditions, including burns, wounds, and shock. The original paper label to the lid is clearly printed and remains well preserved, detailing the contents and bearing the Boots Chemists name. Inside the lid is the printed “Air Raid Precautions First Aid Case” instruction sheet, reprinted from the official Home Office booklet. This is a particularly desirable feature, as these sheets are often missing and provide a direct link to official wartime guidance issued to civilians. The kit retains a good selection of its original contents, including boric lint, picric lint for burns, bandages, adhesive plaster tins, scissors, and small medical items such as tablets and dressings. These components are typical of ARP household kits and help to give the set strong display and historical value. Condition is honest and in keeping with age. The cardboard box shows wear, including edge damage, creasing, and a tear to one corner, but remains structurally sound and displays well. The label is still clear and legible, and the contents appear largely unused, though naturally showing signs of age. A very good and increasingly sought-after example of a WW2 Home Front medical item, combining strong visual appeal with clear historical context. Ideal for collectors of ARP, Civil Defence, or general Home Front material.
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A very presentable early Japanese Arisaka Type 30 bayonet complete with its leather frog. These bayonets were produced from 1897 through to the end of the second world war and were issued with several Arisaka rifle types including the Type 30, Type 38 and Type 99. This example is the earlier style featuring the strongly curved hooked quillon and comes complete with its correct leather frog. The bayonet displays very well throughout and remains a very attractive and collectible example, particularly as it retains its frog and an excellent unsharpened blade.
Blade
The blade is in excellent condition, remaining bright with a clean finish. Importantly, the blade appears to be unsharpened, which is a bonus to find on these bayonets. The blade retains a fine, well-defined tip and shows only minor signs of age and use. The blade is fullered on both sides as expected for this model. On the ricasso is the Kokura Arsenal “stacked cannonball” mark, with a small inspection stamp positioned beneath.Hilt & Grips
The hilt retains a fine set of wooden grips which remain solid and well fitted to both the crossguard and pommel. The grips are secured with the correct two screw bolts with oval washers. There appears to be a set of lines carved into the rear grip, likely a period personalisation or soldier mark, visible in the photographs. The crossguard features the muzzle ring and strongly curved hooked quillon, confirming this as an earlier production example. Both the crossguard and pommel retain the majority of their original blued finish. The rifle retaining button remains fully functional. On the top of the pommel is the serial number 17891555, with two small inspection stamps located beneath.Scabbard
The steel scabbard retains the majority of its original bluing and remains in good overall condition. There are areas of pitted rust present, with the most noticeable section located beneath the frog on the front of the scabbard and another area to the centre of the rear. Despite this, the scabbard still displays well and pairs nicely with the bayonet.Frog
The bayonet is accompanied an original Japanese leather frog, pre 1938 made, identifiable by the buckle arrangement. The leather shows expected age and wear, and the securing tab that passes through the scabbard and fastens to the buckle has split, a common occurrence on these frogs. Importantly, the frog remains structurally sound with all stitching still present and tight. The rear of the frog displays several Japanese markings including the Kokura arsenal mark, which is a nice pairing with the bayonet maker. The fit between frog and scabbard is excellent.Overall
A very attractive early Type 30 Arisaka bayonet featuring the desirable hooked quillon and complete with an original leather frog. The bayonet displays honest service wear with an excellent bright blade that remains unsharpened, strong original bluing to the hilt, and a well-fitting frog with Japanese markings. A very presentable and collectible example.Historical Note
The Type 30 bayonet was introduced in 1897 and remained the primary Japanese bayonet design through both the early twentieth century and the Second World War. It was issued with several Arisaka rifle types and saw service across numerous conflicts including the Russo-Japanese War, the First World War, and the Pacific campaigns of the Second World War. Earlier examples such as this, with their strongly curved hooked quillon and higher quality finish, are particularly sought after by collectors today.
We ship to the USA, Europe, and most worldwide destinations.
All items are carefully packed for safe transit. -
This is an original WW2 British prismatic marching compass, complete with its leather case and full-length carrying strap, and named to an individual owner, A.H. Goodban of Headington, Oxford. Compasses of this type were standard issue for British Army officers and specialist troops, used for navigation in the field. The design features a blackened brass body with a rotating 360-degree dial, folding prism sight, and internal wire sight line, allowing accurate bearings to be taken while simultaneously viewing the dial. The thumb ring and robust construction made these compasses well suited to active service conditions. The compass itself is a typical wartime British example, consistent in form and construction with those produced during the early to mid-war period. While the maker is not clearly defined here, the overall build quality and materials are entirely correct for the era. Of particular note is the scratched ownership inscription reading “A H Goodban, 12 York Rd, Headington,” which is consistent with wartime practice. It was common for officers and other personnel to mark their equipment with their name and home address, both for identification and to aid in the return of lost kit. This transforms the piece from a standard example into a named, personal item with clear potential for further research. The compass is housed in its original brown leather case, which remains in very good condition with strong stitching and a rich, even finish. The accompanying leather strap is also present and remains supple, allowing the compass to be worn around the neck or shoulder as intended. The overall condition is very good. The dial is clean and clearly legible, the prism is intact, and the sighting wire remains in place. The case shows only light, honest wear from use, and the strap is complete and usable. As with all original compasses of this type, functionality has not been formally tested for accuracy, but the needle appears free-moving. A solid and complete example of a WW2 British military compass, made more desirable by its named owner and complete field setup, this is a strong addition to any collection of British Army equipment or personal wartime items.
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WW2 British Mk II Steel Helmet – BMB 1939 – Middlesex Regiment Flash
£395.00 SKU: 0397MA genuine Second World War British Mk II steel helmet retaining its original heavily textured anti-glare wartime finish. The shell now displays a naturally aged sandy khaki tone, the result of decades of wear and oxidation, giving the helmet a very honest and untouched appearance. The left side carries a red and yellow triangular flash associated with the Middlesex Regiment, carefully applied to the shell and now showing age consistent with the rest of the helmet.
The helmet remains exactly as found and has not been cleaned or restored. The exterior finish shows clear service wear with areas of cracking and paint loss, particularly around the rim, exposing small patches of surface rust beneath the original coating. The heavily granulated wartime finish remains clearly visible across the entire shell.
Shell
The interior of the helmet shell is stamped BMB 1939, confirming manufacture by Briggs Motor Bodies Ltd, one of the well-known wartime producers of British helmets. The shell remains structurally solid with honest wear consistent with long service.Liner
The helmet retains its original liner assembly with the typical cruciform frame. The liner is stamped 1940 and is a size 7 example. As often encountered, the black rubberised padding has hardened and become brittle with age, with splitting and deterioration visible throughout. Despite this, the liner remains present within the helmet.Chinstrap
The helmet retains its original spring-loaded web chinstrap, which remains present and in good overall condition considering its age.Overall
A very characterful wartime Mk II helmet showing clear age and service wear, complete with a Middlesex Regiment flash and early war shell dated 1939. Helmets with identifiable unit markings always add additional interest for collectors, and this example remains an honest untouched piece that displays exactly as one would hope from an original wartime helmet.
We ship to the USA, Europe, and most worldwide destinations.
All items are carefully packed for safe transit.
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WW2 Era British Home Front Wall Mounted Paraffin Lamp Blackout Oil Lamp
£44.00 SKU: 0178AThis is a simple and practical British wall mounted paraffin lamp dating to the WW2 era. Lamps of this type were commonly used in civilian homes, workshops and shelters where electric lighting was limited or unsuitable, particularly during blackout conditions on the Home Front. The lamp features a painted metal wall plate with keyhole hanging slot, a small cylindrical fuel reservoir, and a wick burner with adjustment wheel. It retains its original opal glass shade which helps diffuse the light and reduce glare, making it suitable for low-level lighting. Compact and utilitarian in design, examples like this were intended for everyday domestic use and could be found in cupboards, stairways, sheds and shelters throughout the war years. The reflector plate behind the burner helps direct light forward, increasing the usefulness of the lamp while keeping the design simple and robust. As the photos show, this piece hasn’t been ‘cleaned up’. While no markings are present on it, lamps of this type are well known to date to the WW2 era and were commonly used in shelters and other low light conditions. In order to fill the lamp with fuel, the burner assembly should unscrew from the reservoir. However, this example is currently very stiff and I did not want to risk damaging it by forcing it. The wick adjustment key also works, though it is similarly stiff. Examples such as this illustrate the simple, practical lighting solutions relied upon in Britain during the blackout, when even small sources of light had to be carefully controlled inside the home. A modest but evocative piece of WW2 Home Front lighting that represents the practical realities of everyday life during Britain’s blackout period. -
Swiss Model 1914 Pioneer Sawback Bayonet – HSW – Dated 1938
£275.00 SKU: 0395MAn impressive and heavy-duty example of the Swiss Model 1914 Pioneer sawback bayonet, maker marked HSW and dated 1938. Although the pattern was introduced in 1914, these bayonets continued to be produced well into the late 1930s as Switzerland maintained and mobilised its armed forces during the tense pre-war years. Swiss edged weapons are well known for their quality of manufacture, and this model is no exception – a robust and superbly made bayonet issued primarily to pioneer and engineer troops. These troops utilised the distinctive sawback spine for practical field work such as cutting wood and other engineering tasks.
Blade
The blade measures approximately 480mm in length and features a single fuller running along the right side. The spine carries 32 pairs of short sawback teeth, giving the bayonet its distinctive pioneer appearance. The blade remains very clean and bright overall. At some stage the edge appears to have been sharpened, likely during service. Near the tip there are a few very small edge nicks which are minor and only noticeable on close inspection; these will be shown clearly in the photographs. The ricasso is marked HSW along with the Swiss cross inspection mark and the date 1938.Hilt & Grips
The hilt retains its light coloured wooden grips, believed to be walnut, and they remain in excellent condition. They are secured by the correct two large rivets passing through the tang. The rifle retaining button functions correctly. The bayonet is finished with the distinctive bird’s head style pommel typical of Swiss bayonets of this pattern.Scabbard
The bayonet is accompanied by its steel scabbard which remains in excellent condition overall. The ball finial carries the Swiss cross as commonly seen on Swiss scabbards. The original throat screw is present. The scabbard is stamped with the letter P near the throat and again on the throat itself. The scabbard retains a very good shape and condition. There is an extremely slight indentation to the rear which is so minor it is unlikely to show in photographs and can only really be detected when running a finger over the area. The bayonet fits the scabbard perfectly, locking in place with a satisfying snap and sitting snugly with no movement once inserted.Overall
A very impressive example of the Swiss Model 1914 pioneer sawback bayonet. These are substantial, high-quality bayonets and represent excellent value for money considering the engineering and craftsmanship involved. A fine addition for collectors of Swiss militaria or military bayonets in general.Historical Note
The Swiss Model 1914 Pioneer sawback bayonet was issued primarily to engineer and pioneer units. Switzerland remained neutral during both World Wars but maintained a well-equipped and mobilised army. Production of this model continued into the late 1930s, with examples such as this 1938 dated bayonet reflecting Switzerland’s continued preparedness during the increasingly tense years leading up to the Second World War.
We ship to the USA, Europe, and most worldwide destinations.
All items are carefully packed for safe transit.
