Make Money Side Hustles

10 Military and War Memorabilia Items That Are Worth a Small Fortune

Got old military keepsakes? Some of them might be worth way more than you think.

By Chris Adam

Edited by Esther Carlstone

Updated April 25, 2025

Sometimes you can turn a passion into a good way to make extra money on the side. If you're a history buff, particularly with an interest in the military and wars, you may be able to find family memorabilia around your house or in storage that's worth a small fortune.

Here's a look at 10 military and war memorabilia items that combine history and intrigue.

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U.S. Army field uniforms

US Army field uniforms are a piece of D-Day memorabilia that could be worth a sweet sum. The ensemble includes an M1 helmet, M41 jacket, canteen, M4 bayonet and full field gear. They were worn by the 3rd U.S. Army troops storming Normandy amid German gunfire.

One set recently sold for $3,400 along with period photos showing identical kits on soldiers coming ashore.

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U.S. Army Ranger medic helmet

Another piece of potentially valuable D-Day memorabilia are medic helmets worn during the D-Day landings and Point du Hoc attacks. It's noted that the bright color was used to signal enemy troops not to shoot the unarmed medics.

A dinged up version of the helmet sold at auction in 2015 for $2,250.

D-Day dispatch radios

If you have this technology from D-Day, you might be able to sell it for a small fortune. These radios were used to relay messages between shore and ships. They're known for their engineering aspects and the role they played in saving lives.

Fully restored units have sold for as much as $4,000.

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Shopping pro tip: This month's best deals

April brings not just warmer weather and sunnier days, but also excellent shopping opportunities. With Easter happening on April 20, retailers will offer significant discounts on seasonal items at the end of the month, while also preparing for graduations, weddings, and spring cleaning season.

Here are some of the best deals to watch out for:

Cookware sets on sale for graduation and wedding season
Winter clearance items like coats and sweaters at end-of-season prices
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Lawn care equipment as homeowners prepare for the growing season
Post-Easter candy and ham at deeply discounted prices once the holiday has passed
For grocery savings, consider seasonal produce like asparagus, broccoli, and spinach, which will be at their freshest and most affordable.

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U.S. Navy naval dungarees

Another wartime token that may prove to be worth reselling are World War I-era dark denim work pants issued to the U.S. Navy sailors who were performing cleaning and maintenance duties on the ship.

One such pair recently sold on eBay for over a whopping $13,000. These are considered rare to come by, so keep your eyes peeled.

Destroyer commissioning pennant

Even if you're not a big history buff, this is a cool piece of memorabilia. One such pennant recently sold on eBay for approximately $3,800. It was listed as a USS ward commissioning pennant U.S. Navy destroyer from World War I, World War II and Pearl Harbor.

You can find other similar pennants on eBay and other places, so it might be worth seeing if you have one among your family's military memorabilia items.

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Splatter mask

World War I-era splatter masks were made to protect tank crew from shrapnel. These masks had two steel curved plates with a nose section of leather and chainmail to protect the mouth. The mask also had horizontal eye slits in the steel and cotton ties to secure it around the head.

One of these masks recently sold on eBay for $3,500.

World War II Iwo Jima photos

Images from times of war can be extremely valuable decades later. Two 1945 Associated Press photos depicting marines associated with the events at Iwo Jima in good condition sold for $6,000 on eBay.

As you're going through your own collection of memorabilia, keep an eye out for older photos— especially original ones.

World War II bomb sight

The bomb sight, a tool used to calculate and guide bombing missions for strategic targets, is an original piece of militaria from the United States, specifically used during World War II.

Often listed as a "Norden Bomb Sight M9", one recently sold on eBay for over $5,000.

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A proactive approach to your personal finances can make the difference between struggling and success. Uncertain times call for a careful review of spending habits, prioritization of expenses, and strategic planning that goes beyond simple cost-cutting.

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World War II patches

Groups of military patches can be popular sellers. A lot of 96 original World War II patches sold for nearly $4,000 on eBay. The patches bore designs from various military units such as Airborne, the 45th Infantry and the Rangers.

This lot likely brought in so much money because of the number of patches and their variety.

Korean War parachute pack

Parachute packs from the Korean War often sell for good money on online auction sites like eBay. For instance, a vintage Korean War era parachute pack in good to fair condition, with a date from either 1953 or 1959, sold for $1,200 a few months ago on eBay.

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Bottom line

Inflation and tough times for stocks may have you looking to find a side hustle. If you have some military and war memorabilia in your home or in storage, you may be able to sell those items for a small fortune.

While many people turn to a place like eBay to sell these items, it may benefit you more to look into a brick and mortar business nearby where you could take in your items to see what they're worth to collectors.

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