WILLOUGHBY, OHIO.- Milestone’s April 18 Premier Military & Edged Weapons Auction paid tribute to US armed forces and their engagements over the centuries, from the American Revolution through modern times. The 723-lot selection included US uniforms, helmets and headgear; medals, flags, insignia and photos, as well as hundreds of British, German, Japanese and other World War II relics and articles of memorabilia. A multitude of edged weapons kept specialty collectors busy as they bid on fine swords, knives, katanas and daggers. At day’s end, Milestone’s co-founder and principal auctioneer brought the hammer down on the final lot and closed the books at a buoyant $810,000, inclusive of buyer’s premium.

The top lot of the day was intimately connected to one of the most infamous characters of World War II: fascist dictator Benito Mussolini. During the war, “Il Duce” (The Leader), as he was known, assumed the honorary title of Marshal of the Empire following Italy’s imperial ventures into Africa. To reflect the self-appointed military designation he introduced in 1938, Mussolini adopted a new accessory to denote his heightened status: a visor hat decorated with regalia exclusive to the highest military command. That very hat – which came to auction looking as new as the day it was first donned – was a testament to the Italian commander’s pretentiousness and overinflated ego.

The hat’s band was richly embellished with gold braid to symbolize naval authority and martial prestige. The central insignia was hand-embroidered in gold bullion and featured a crowned anchor flanked by laurel leaves. The silk-lined interior included a white leather sweatband emblazoned with the gilded initials “B M.” Not only a significant WWII military artifact but also a poignant emblem of Mussolini’s doomed regime and the fascist aesthetics they embraced during the interwar period, the cap had been recovered from Mussolini’s villa in 1945 by members of the US 85th Regiment, 10th Mountain Division. At Milestone’s auction, it sold above the midpoint of its estimate for $16,605.



There was strong competition for a Vietnam-era US Air Force Hughes AIM-4 Falcon missile, an example of the first operational guided air-to-air missile used by the USAF. Developed in the latter 1940s primarily to intercept and destroy Soviet bombers, it was placed into service in 1956 and adapted to other important roles. The Falcon at Milestone’s sale rocketed to $13,800 against a pre-sale estimate of $2,000-$3,000. It is now part of a museum’s collection.

A fascinating example of the leading missile weapon of the Middle Ages, a 16th-century fortification crossbow was complete with its removable cocking device and still had its original pull crank and ropes (broken). Although its origins are not known, the crossbow, or arbalest, was an important technical achievement in its day and earned the further distinction of being outlawed – at least for use against Christians – by the Catholic Lateran Council of 1139. Entered in the sale with a $1,000-$2,000 estimate, it reached its target and then some, achieving $6,600.



An excellent example of the Model M1826 naval cutlass called the Nathan Starr 1826 Contract (also known as the Starr Contract 1826) retained its extremely rare and desirable metal scabbard. Milestone’s catalog noted that the hilt-blade angle was unique and a departure from previous models. Examples and documentation of this specific cutlass appear in several books: Gilkerson's Boarders Away, Peterson's The American Sword, 1775-1945, and Rankin's Small Arms of the Sea Services. At auction, the weapon more than doubled its high estimate, selling for $6,300.

Chronologically, the next auction highlight was a World War I Imperial German 2nd Garde Uhlan Regiment general’s tschapka. A fine example of a cavalry officer’s headgear, it was leather-bodied with a brass Garde Regiment helmet plate with enamel starburst center. Additionally, it displayed brass scaled officer’s-pattern chinstraps with a single officer’s Reich’s cockade, a black leather mortar board top with burgundy cloth underlining with silver trim, and cream-colored silk interior. This impressive survivor surpassed its high estimate to declare victory at $4,428.



A 1944 US Airborne PPN-2 Eureka Homing Beacon transmitter was of a type used by World War II Pathfinders during airborne drops, to signal and guide a given mission’s main body of airplanes into drop zones. The Eureka worked in tandem with “Rebecca,” a receiver placed within an aircraft, to form an essential communications system. Invented by the British, Eureka was subsequently modified for use by American forces. Dated 1944 and serial-numbered 1644, the auction example came with its excellent padded jump case. Estimated at $2,000-$3,000, it landed at $5,520.



Dated 1940, a World War II British Airborne “Denison” camouflage smock was a 1st Pattern model with wool cuffs, snaps and zippers, and the original cloth wings on its front. In excellent condition and retaining its original jerkin with an entrenching tool and cover, it sold above its high estimate, for $2,520.



A Japanese World War II relic, a pair of Nikko (known today as Nikon) 20x3 optic-size “Big Eye” battleship binoculars represented a type used by the Japanese Imperial Navy on battleships. With crystal-clear optics and in excellent condition, the auction binoculars sold well above their high estimate, reaching $4,797.



View the catalog and prices realized for the Milestone’s April 18, 2026 Premier Military & Edged Weapons Auction online through Milestone’s website. To discuss consigning to a future Milestone auction featuring militaria, edged weapons or firearms, whether it’s a single item or an entire collection, please call Miles King at 440-527-8060 or email info@milestoneauctions.com. All enquiries are kept strictly confidential and there is never an obligation to consign. Online: https://www.milestoneauctions.com.