Buying ARP & Civil Defence Insignia, Uniforms, Equipment & Memorabilia
There are a number of websites and online auction sites that sell original and reproduction ARP and Civil Defence insignia. Prices (and quality) vary greatly.
An excellent reference for Civil Defence badges and uniforms is Air Raid Precautions Memorandum No. 17 1944.
An excellent reference for Civil Defence badges and uniforms is Air Raid Precautions Memorandum No. 17 1944.
Original kit, insignia and memorabilia on eBay and Etsy
eBay often has a lot of original and reproduction items for sale. Prices though are all over the place. There's an avid group of collectors and re-enactors out there and prices are often pumped up towards the very end of an auction. However, it is still possible to pick up good pieces by keeping an eye on recently listed Buy It Now listings - it is worth saving searches and getting the email from eBay about items that match what you are searching for. Be aware that some sellers try and pass off post-war battledress as WW2 items - often by doctoring the original label. A recent spate of blouses has had a 1950s date inked out and a spurious year from the war printed in large numbers across the label. Be wary of fake and reproduction enamel badges on eBay.
A small number of second world war items can be found on Etsy. Search for "Air Raid Warden" or "ARP" to see results. Prices on Etsy are all over the place but usually on the high side.
A small number of second world war items can be found on Etsy. Search for "Air Raid Warden" or "ARP" to see results. Prices on Etsy are all over the place but usually on the high side.
Sniping eBay auctions
Placing a bid at the very last moment is the best way to "snipe" auctions. This avoids getting into bidding wars. One of the best pieces of sniper software on the market is Gixen. It's free for those that bid on a few items per month but an annual fee is required for unlimited monthly snipes.
Reproduction insignia
The following vendors for badges and insignia are recommended:
Monty's Locker - CD & ARP breast badges, a few shoulder titles and a beret badge plus they will create specific area markings (both first pattern red on blue and the later old gold rectangular version). Unfortunately no rank badges yet.
Sentimental Journey - a selection of CD and ARP breast badges plus some shoulder titles and a few rank badges (both junior chevrons and senior bars) plus Fire Guard/SFP armbands & CD buttons. Be aware that their lanyards are not quite right.
Divpatch.com - a very small selection of CD and ARP badges available - some breast badges and a couple of CD beret badges.
Monty's Locker - CD & ARP breast badges, a few shoulder titles and a beret badge plus they will create specific area markings (both first pattern red on blue and the later old gold rectangular version). Unfortunately no rank badges yet.
Sentimental Journey - a selection of CD and ARP breast badges plus some shoulder titles and a few rank badges (both junior chevrons and senior bars) plus Fire Guard/SFP armbands & CD buttons. Be aware that their lanyards are not quite right.
Divpatch.com - a very small selection of CD and ARP badges available - some breast badges and a couple of CD beret badges.
Original kit, insignia and memorabilia - militaria shows/events and online sellers
A quick search on Google or Bing will bring up dozens of online militaria specialists. Prices again can vary markedly across the shops. With the presence of a lot of very good reproductions it's important to know what you are buying. Doing research and asking questions on forums and Facebook groups can save you money in the long run.
You will notice that a lot of the online stores have a very similar look. A lot use the same content management templates. These can be sometimes tricky to navigate as you need to search through the various categories as items can be misplaced. Also, a huge downside of these sites are that Sold items are also frequently listed amongst items for sale. This is extremely annoying when using a search engine. It obviously gains clicks but also annoys the heck out of the user. However, it can be good for research.
One good vendor that manages to procure a wide array of items for sale is Home Front Collection. They also have a very interesting archive of previously sold items - often very rare ones.
There are also many militaria sales that take place throughout the year. Bargains can still be found if you're willing to rifle through boxes. Prices in general though are continuing to escalate alas. The general rule I have learned is get it while you can. I've turned down a load of items I later wish I had bought.
You will notice that a lot of the online stores have a very similar look. A lot use the same content management templates. These can be sometimes tricky to navigate as you need to search through the various categories as items can be misplaced. Also, a huge downside of these sites are that Sold items are also frequently listed amongst items for sale. This is extremely annoying when using a search engine. It obviously gains clicks but also annoys the heck out of the user. However, it can be good for research.
One good vendor that manages to procure a wide array of items for sale is Home Front Collection. They also have a very interesting archive of previously sold items - often very rare ones.
There are also many militaria sales that take place throughout the year. Bargains can still be found if you're willing to rifle through boxes. Prices in general though are continuing to escalate alas. The general rule I have learned is get it while you can. I've turned down a load of items I later wish I had bought.
Online auction houses
At one time you had to physically be in the room to bid on items at auctions. Now there are a number of sites that list items coming up for auction. Previously, this was the preserve of the militaria retailers - it's at these auctions that the vast majority of their items originate. You can often get extremely rare items cropping up as well as good prices on more run-of-the-mill stuff. However, be aware of the buyers' premiums charged and also check out the cost that the auctioneers charge for postage (from experience it can be very expensive and make a relatively cheap item much more expensive after all fees have been taken into consideration).
A site I get regular email updates from is The Saleroom - requires registration - they list the catalogues from many auctioneers and you can get email alerts for certain keywords.
A site I get regular email updates from is The Saleroom - requires registration - they list the catalogues from many auctioneers and you can get email alerts for certain keywords.
Car boot sales
Yep, car boot sales can turn up original ARP and Civil Defence items. I've bought helmets (usually for reconditioning), insignia, ARP lapel badges, documents and all sorts at these events. Also, the price is usually a bargain. I've learned that digging through crates is a skill worth developing.
