The equipment of an American paratrooper sold for more than 24,000 euros at auction in Cherbourg

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The quality of conservation and quantity (more than 500 lots) souvenirs from the Second World War offered this weekend of November 16 and 17, 2024 at the auction house on rue Noyon, in Cherbourg (Manche), attracted many enthusiasts.

There was in fact no longer a free chair on Sunday for the German part of the sale, while many orders arrived at the same time by telephone or Internet.

€10,500 a set of the Waffen SS

For this dispersal of the third part of the personal collection of Arnaud Dumont, known as “Goliath”, there were naturally collectors from Manche and Calvados, but also from all over France, Belgium and Germany, as well as reenactors attached to the greatest accuracy and fidelity of their outfits as well as museums throughout the Atlantic coast and of the Channel.

Both key pieces awarded on Saturday were the jump jacket with reinforcements of an American paratrooper from the 101^e Airborne, sold for €10,800, and the complete parachute with strapssold for €8,500. With the 20% fees to be paid by the buyer, this makes 24,160 euros for this set in perfect condition.

On Sunday, the hammer of Master Samuel Boscher did not weaken to award German helmets, with such a particular silhouette, at more than €4,000 excluding costs depending on whether they still bear traces of insignia of their regiments, caps in fabrics at €500 each, a pair of boots at €740, a parachutist gas mask cover at €2,800 and a set of Waffen SS jacket and pants in small polka dot camouflage at €10,500, costs included.

It should be noted that several lots were withdrawn from the sale due to a lack of bids higher than the withdrawal prices, including helmets and the rare jump coat of a German paratrooper, fuzzy and complete camouflage.

From our correspondent Étienne DEVAILLY

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