DISCOVERED: RAREST, LARGEST AUSTRALIAN HISTORIC MILITARIA COLLECTION

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 26 (Bernama) -- Some of the rarest items ever to be offered to the public have been discovered in Australia in shipping containers and storage sheds containing a lifetime collection of militaria from the world over.

Over 10,000 items across many acres constituted a lifelong military collector’s passion. "We were in complete disbelief when we arrived to inspect the collection," said Lee Hames, Chief Operations Officer for Lloyds Auctioneers and Valuers in Australia.

"These are some of the rarest militaria collectables from WWI and WWII that we have ever seen, there is everything from military tanks to firearms, swords, military uniforms, helmets, boots and heavy artillery.

"As we were uncovering the special collection of militaria, we came across some very rare pieces many of which are ‘one off’ and may be worth significant amounts of money," he noted in a statement.

The ‘Rod Bellars Collection’ was built by Rod over 60 years, accumulating items from worldwide. Sadly, his recent passing has meant these amazing icons of history have to find new custodians.

"We really hope that museums and libraries and passionate collectors from across the world are successful in securing some of these important pieces of history, so they can be preserved and displayed and educate people for many years into the future," said Hames.

Items featured across the collection will be sold through 14 separate online auctions which are live now and include tanks, artillery, swords, firearms, helmets, radios, boots, parachutes, military uniforms and much more.

Anyone wanting to take a journey back in time and own some significant pieces of military history can head to www.lloydsauctions.com.au where bidding is open online now.

-- BERNAMA