eBay Guides - Militaria Buying Guide
Skip to main content


 Reviews & Guides


      Reviews & Guides home page   

Militaria Buying Guide

Tags:  military | medals | civil war | world war | collectibles Write a guide!

Medals, helmets, and even parachutes from centuries of conflict create powerful reminders of sacrifices made by generations of men and women in uniform. Whether you're a Civil War enthusiast, WWII buff, historian of the cavalry and WWI, veteran of the armed forces, or just have a keen interest in the role of the military in the world, you'll find a large selection of battlefield memorabilia on eBay.

Explore History Through Military Memorabilia


Explore History Through Military Memorabilia

As you explore the trials, tribulations, glories, and tragedies of a specific time and place, pieces of military memorabilia can help bring battles to life. Rare and unique artifacts from conflicts can even connect you more vividly with the past. Sellers in the eBay Militaria category offer an ever-changing selection of military mementos and artifacts from every era, war, and military engagement, including:

You'll also find military memorabilia from pre-Revolutionary War times, the Spanish-American War, and Indian wars, as well as items from 1784 to 1860, 1903 to 1913, 1919 to 1938, 1946 to 1949, 1954 to 1960, and 1976 to 1989 on eBay.


Back to topBack to top

Determine Militaria Authenticity & Condition


Determine Militaria Authenticity & Condition

Avid collectors find it imperative to obtain authentic pieces of military memorabilia in the best condition possible. Make sure to read the descriptions in item listings carefully and get as much detail as possible. Also, evaluate the photos in listings, making sure you can clearly see the item from multiple angles so that you can examine an item for potential wear and tear yourself. If you have any questions, contact the seller before you buy.

Certain services also specialize in authenticating pieces of militaria and evaluating their condition for a nominal fee. You can find a list of well-known third-party authentication services on eBay's Opinions, Authentication, and Grading page.

Note: The opinions expressed by these evaluators are theirs alone. eBay does not examine items listed on its site and does not have the expertise to evaluate items. eBay cannot guarantee the findings of these evaluators—authentication and grading are difficult, often subjective matters where the experts themselves occasionally disagree. Each of the companies listed on the Opinions, Authentication, and Grading page that provides authentication and/or grading services is an independent company, and eBay is not responsible in any way for any action, inaction, opinion, or service in connection with these companies. You should review the credentials of each company and use your own judgment before using a company's services.


Back to topBack to top

Find Military Memorabilia on eBay


Find Military Memorabilia on eBay

Once you know what type of militaria you want, go to the Collectibles portal, click Militaria, and start searching for items on eBay.

  • Categories: The Categories list on the left side of each page will help you narrow down your listings by item type. You'll find links for WW II (1939-45), the Civil War (1861-65), Vietnam (1961-75), and more. As you dig deeper into the site, you'll also be able to narrow down your choice by item type.

  • Keyword search: Search eBay listing titles for specific words. For example, if you want to find a World War II combat helmet, type "WWII helmet” (without quotation marks) into the Search box. Click "Search title and description" to expand your results. Visit eBay's Search Tips page for more tips on searching with keywords.

If you can't find exactly what you want, try shopping eBay Stores, tell the eBay Community what you want by creating a post on Want It Now, or save a search on My eBay and eBay will email you when a match becomes available.


Back to topBack to top

Buy Military Memorabilia With Confidence


Buy Military Memorabilia With Confidence

Before making your purchase, make sure you know exactly what you're buying, research your seller, and understand how eBay and PayPal protect you.

Know your purchase

Carefully read the details in item listings.

  • Figure delivery costs into your final price. If you spend a lot of money, make sure the seller will insure the item when it ships.

  • If you want more information, ask by clicking the "Ask seller a question" link under the seller's profile.

  • Always make sure to complete your transaction on eBay (with a bid, Buy It Now, or Best Offer). Transactions conducted outside of eBay are not covered by eBay protection programs.

  • Never pay for your eBay item using instant cash wire transfer services through Western Union or MoneyGram. These payment methods are unsafe when paying someone you do not know.

Know your seller

Research your seller so you feel positive and secure about every transaction.

  • What is the seller's Feedback rating? How many transactions have they completed? What percentage of positive responses do they have?

  • What do buyers say in their Feedback? Did the seller receive praise?

  • Most top eBay sellers operate like retail stores and have return policies. Do they offer a money-back guarantee? What are the terms and conditions?

Buyer protection

In the unlikely event that you don't receive your item or it is not as described, eBay Buyer Protection will cover your purchase price plus original shipping. Learn more.


Back to topBack to top


Ready to share your thoughts with the eBay community? Write a guide!
 Content Provided By

eBay