KING & COUNTRY WS005
Overview
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Intro
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History Section
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Collector Notes
King & Country’s WS005 “Two German Military Police” is a 1997 factory‑painted pair crafted by Andy Neilson for the Waffen‑SS series. Executed in 1:30 scale with lead/tin alloy and polystone, each figure stands on an oval, profiled base and captures the distinctive look of German military police. The set comprises two figures in realistic field‑grey uniforms and insignia, complete with belts, holstered pistols, and identification markings. Though retired, it remains sought after by collectors for its detail and thematic specificity.
Historical Background
The miniatures in WS005 depict German military police (Feldgendarmerie) operating within the Waffen‑SS during World War II. Feldgendarmerie were tasked with maintaining discipline, controlling traffic, screening military personnel, and enforcing law on the Eastern and Western Fronts under severe conditions. As SS‑affiliated MPs, they wore Waffen‑SS field‑grey uniforms, distinguished by skull and oak‑leaf insignia and a gondola‑frame cap or visor cap. They carried standard sidearms such as the Luger P08 or Walther P38 and led controlled zones, roadblocks, and disciplinary actions from around 1939 through the war’s end in 1945. In the field, SS military police were deployed in rear areas to manage logistics convoys and prevent desertion, yet they also participated in policing actions and counter‑resistance operations.
Their presence was particularly notable in occupied Soviet territories and in Italy, often accompanying security divisions. Although not frontline combatants, they held authority and visibility, wielding both fear and order among Wehrmacht and SS troops. After Germany’s collapse in May 1945, many Feldgendarmerie faced scrutiny in post‑war tribunals for their involvement in security operations with harsh enforcement methods. Overall, the real‑world Feldgendarmerie represent the intrusive layer of military policing within the SS apparatus, emblematic of both discipline and repression.
Collector Notes
WS005 comprises two finely‑sculpted 1:30 scale figures in lead/tin alloy with polystone bases, produced in 1997 by King & Country and designed by Andy Neilson (lastdodo.com). The set features factory painting, oval profiled bases, and distinctive Waffen‑SS insignia (lastdodo.com). Identification is straightforward via the WS005 code on original packaging or base, though both can be repainted—verifying crisp factory paint and intact insignia is essential (lastdodo.com). Packaging status significantly impacts value: sealed, mint‑condition sets command the highest premiums. Sager’s lists a retired WS005 for USD 38 (sagerssoldiers.com). Secondary‑market pricing can range from roughly USD 35 to 60 depending on condition and completeness, though scarcity may elevate prices in specialist auctions.
Common issues include minor paint chips on edges, wear to insignia, and base scratches. Careful preservation, especially of the hand‑painted details, retains collector appeal. Overall, WS005 remains an accessible yet historically evocative addition to any Waffen‑SS or WWII German collection.
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