Niles Laughner of Niles Laughner Military Antiques has a reputation for being the man to go to when it comes to the appraising, buying, and selling of military goods. "I deal in historic military items from all wars and all countries - often from the family involved - perpetuating US history in an active way," says Laughner. "I want to help preserve the memories and role of veterans through their relics," he adds. Besides selling items and making purchases for his own collection, Laughner also has some of his pieces displayed in historical societies and museums all over the world, as well as items held by the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC.

This history buff's knowledge and expertise in military antiques came from his own curiosity and expansion of his personal collection as a youth. But military antiquities are not Laughner's only forte; his past positions prior to delving full time into his own business include general antiques and historical items of interest. At one time, Laughner was manager of the Antiques at Colony Mill; he was also a former staff antiques expert (and presently the consultant) at Experienced Goods - part of the Brattleboro-area Hospice.

Laughner likes to probe into the history of his purchases. He often does this through conversations with the family. This extra effort helps Laughner to connect a personality with the item. He understands the trust that people put in him when they give up a piece of their family's history. "I understand the value and appreciate it," says Laughner. "I have an enormous amount of appreciation for these people."

One unique find for Laughner was a World War II foot locker that, upon examining it, seems to be frozen in time. The footlocker - owned by local resident Art LaCoste - was never emptied out after his return to the states, and is complete with an unopened bottle of champagne and his painted A2 flight jacket.  One of the rarest of all Laughner's historical finds was a Kepi hat that was traced back to the Battle of Bull Run during the Civil War. Digging deeper, it was discovered that the soldier was an actor/singer who spent all of 45 minutes in the battle, before being captured by confederates and held a prisoner for the rest of the war.

Laughner reflects on this pursuit--"The history behind these items is everything...innumerable stories just waiting to be told.  My job is to make that happen"

(Excerpted from  articles published in the Keene Sentinel and  the Monadnock Shopper )