Is it worth digging for WW2 relics

Whenever you see anything thats has been dug up in Russia or Germany etc etc its either very corroded or so rusty that a slap would break the steal. How many years will it be before anything related to WWII, minus tanks/Artillery pieces etc will be unidentifiable. It kind of sucks because i wouldnt mind purchasing some WWII helmets, medals etc but anything in reasonable condition will most likely double in value by the time i have 800$ too buy a German Helmet.

Its funny battles from BC survive intact (i do realise why) but relics of the modern war are becoming apart of the earth.

 

A couple thousand years, if the Roman stuff is still intact; the relics are definitely still there, and will be for another couple thousand years if all goes well earth wise. I definitely think searching for the relics is worth it, considering the amount of information we could uncover, etc.

 

It depends on where you search really. I've seen stuff that has come out of Hurtgen that was corroded almost beyond recognition, and I've seen video of Russians pulling SS bullets out of a lake with a magnet that were pristine once they were wiped down.

Overall, I wish I could have the chance -even just once- to go on one of these expeditions. It's a direct connection, a conduit if you will, to our almost immediate past, and every relic (if I may be allowed a moment to wax aesthetic) is a precious bit of proof, lending to us the all too terrible truth that this series of events did certainly happen, they did change the face of the earth forever, and we need to treat them all -from the tiniest scrap of an obliterated canteen to the T34 recovered in running condition from a peat bog- with respect and honor. it's not so much scrap metal to be auctioned off on E-bay, it's our history.

 

Very well said, Keystone. Very well said indeed.

 

Yeh that would be cool.

Heres that video of the Russians fishing with magents.

YouTube - Search of military relics at the help of a magnet

 

Alot of those artifacts are Bronze though. Mother nature eats steel.

 

I find some wonderful items that ares not always corroded, this includes aluminium parts with original painting, but even iron is sometimes in a great condition. I have restored relics that I am particulary proud of and that would be lost if not saved now. Some may still be around in 100 years , but others need to be found now or they "ll be lost . I'm happy this WWI German M16 helmet was not left buried . It's a relic of Verdun

 

Sky-
It depends on local soil conditions. In Scotland, the soil is so acidic that even human remains disappear unless bone remnants have been hardened by cremation.
Your best bet for relics are wet areas, since the anaerobic conditions underwater will prevent really bad decay.

 

Even then Gordon, I found acidic soils that could actually destroy alulinium , but when I lost all hope I found parts that's had been hardened by burnt clay (during the crash ) and the improvished pottery even protected the cloth inside the fuselage, as well as the stenciled markings.

 

That's interesting, Skip; hadn't heard of that before.

 

I steer completely away from buying 'Battlefield" relics-mainly because-some of those items-which is a wide-spread practice these days-come from the graves of the soldiers who fought there-even from unmarked or unknown gravesites. However, if say you were walking down Sword beach and found an empty magazine for a Lee-Enfield-or something like that-I might consider picking it up--but only if im sure it didn't come from the final resting place of a Gent who was on that piece of ground.

 

those are really awesome finds they found on that video

 

As much as i dont agree with grave robbing, I dont agree that people relic hunting should be held in a negative light for taking a helmet from a dead soldiers resting spot. Chances are the authorties recieve word that dead soldiers have been found, then they can be identified an properly buried.

Its not like its an official grave or anything of the sort. Are you phased by people digging up Roman battlefields ?

 

Skywalker, read this thread then you tell me.

http://www.ww2f.com/living-history/22257-us-bracelet-hurtgen-forest.html

 

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Thanks for the link to that thread TA.

 

In my upinion searching and digging up WWII relics is still worth it.
I think people who are searching to make a profit out of it, is a crime!
I keep all the relics i find in my own personal collection and see the historie of the different items, not the selling value.
If i stumble upon a fieldgrave (did not till so far) i would notify the local authorities so the soldier can get a proper funerall and identification.
I would never take items from that person.
Items i do find i preserve them with care and when i find an item with a personal marking i'll try to find the original owner, so i can return it where it belongs.
With one item i did, thanks to the help of Keystone Two-Eight!
That is also a great part of the hobby.
What the conditions of relics concerns, it indeed depents on the soil where it is found.
Here are some examples of relics a friend and i found in the woods of the Hurtgen Forest (Germany) and Eifel region in Belgium.
They where more than 60 years in the ground and saved.


















































These are only a few items i managed to save.
And there are still a lot more to be uncoverd before it is to late!

 

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Aru-Ed: Really great finds - but for god's sake be careful, since you are still finding "live stuff" - I exploded a detonator from a 500lb bomb which spent 40 yrs in the mud then another 20yrs soaking in oil - the resulting bang was truly impressive.

 

This is a topic and subject which is fraught with controversy and divided opinion. So hEre's mine FWIW :-

I don't agree with the 'grave-robbing' aspect and find the wholesale marketing of ID and dog-tags ( especially from the Eastern Front ) very distasteful. Such things, along with unmarked graves, human remains, etc - should be reported to the relevant authorities. I like the Battle of Britain Hawker Hurricane monument on Romney Marsh - pilot and aircraft are buried deep and his family have requested that it is not disturbed. Absolutely right !

But over the years I've picked up many 'bits and pieces' on my battlefield walks ( and Jagdpanther44 and I spent a wonderful day doing just that in Normandy last year ). I have read authors decrying such things as 'robbery' - spoiling the ground for future archaeologists. But a lot of WWII 'stuff' is now in the last stages of decay - another 10, 15 years and it'll just be red dust in the ground ( as is now the case with much aircraft wreckage ).

So, I'll keep on picking up the odd relic, and sharing it here with fellow enthusiasts !

 

See, I have no problem with Martins Philosophy or Edwins.....In fact, I think they have a ratrher honorable and noble way of looking at it.......Im jealous as all hell, but I have no problem with them!

But I think it would be advantageous of the younger, more inexperienced "treasure hunters" to heed the ethics of folks like Martin & Edwin, so as NOT to exploit battlefields and battlefield graves.

Perhaps this whole aspect of the forums deserves it's own area! It could be a place to share your finds,and a place to learn more about what you should do on historic digs. I know the "WWII today" area kind of already covers that, but maybe it would behoove us to have it all a bit more centralized?

 

I more than agree, and you know Steve, when you are on your trip in Europe, let me know and i'll take you with me on a trip.
That is a promise, i owe you that!!!