With each passing year, the number of living World War II veterans dwindles. As of last year, it was estimated that only 66,000 brave Americans who took part in that war were still alive. The stories theyve shared and the wartime relics that have survived from that era paint a vivid picture of the horrors of the European war theater and the daunting enemies the Allies faced. One of the most formidable examples of WWII field artillery was the German Wehrmacht Sd Kfz 251/9 Kanonenwagen Stummel half-track, originally designed to transport troops but later modified for battle with mounted cannons made for Panzer IIIs and IVs. The Wehrmacht Stummels job was to support the infantry and break up installations and bunkers at the front lines before German troops were sent in. The most accurate, fully restored, historically complete 1944 WWII German Wehrmacht Sd Kfz 251 half-track in existence, with authenticity to detail unmatched anywhere in the world, is the featured attraction of Milestones Saturday, Oct. 11, Premier Military Auction. It is one of only two known half-tracks of its type in private hands and is the only one that has been torn down and fully restored from the ground up. The eight-year-long restoration process involved a rebuild of the chassis, engine, transmission, differential, and drive train, right down to the last bolt. Every aspect of the vehicle was addressed, using original blueprints and guided by wartime documentation and period photographs. In addition, extensive private study uncovered interior specifications and fittings that were not published or otherwise available to the public. It is important to note that the half-track to be auctioned is not a postwar Czech OT-810 conversion like those seen in some museums, but rather an original 1944 wartime-built half-track. Its recent history can be traced back to the 1990s, when an American private collector acquired it from a seller in Europe. Then, in 2017, a military historian and WWII aircraft restorer from California, learned of its existence and decided to look into it as a potential project. The owner still had the half-track in a shipping container. We came to a financial agreement, and I immediately had it shipped to a restorer in the Midwest. I knew it was going to be a very costly undertaking but wanted to have the satisfaction of a completed restoration under my belt, said the seller. The only other half-track of its type is in the U.S. Army, Armor & Cavalry Collection (Fort Benning, Ga.); these WWII holdings include artifacts captured and transported to the United States under the orders of Gen. George S. Patton (1885-1945). Although the museums half-track is original and underwent an excellent cosmetic restoration, it is not complete internally. Unrivaled anywhere in the world, the half-track offered by Milestone has been permanently deactivated to both U.S. BATF and German BAFA standards and is fully legal to own in any state. The auction estimate is $600,000 to $800,000. Many significant awards and honors will cross the auction block. An extraordinary WWI Imperial German Pour Le Merite award winners archive pertains to Major Max von Mertens. It consists of an ornate blue enamel and gilt Blue Max award from 1918; a Nazi NSKOV document awarded in 1936 in recognition of distinguished service during the World War; 28 calling cards from various officers, including several generals; three artillery shoulder straps, including one with rank of captain; flag remnants appearing to have come from funeral sashes; and a large assortment of family ephemera including a German Reich identity card. The auction also presents a rare opportunity to acquire a signed copy of the WWII Instrument of Surrender of all German armed forces in Holland, in North West Germany including all islands, and in Denmark. It is hand-signed by British Field Marshal Montgomery and five Generals of the German High Command. Eight copies of this document are known to exist, perhaps more. Milestones Premier Military Auction will be held at Milestones gallery located at 38198 Willoughby Parkway, Willoughby (suburban Cleveland), Ohio, and will be webcast live through Milestones website. All forms of remote bidding will be available, including live via the internet through Milestones own bidding platform, LiveAuctioneers or Invaluable. For additional information, call 440-527-8060 or email info@milestoneauctions.com. All images courtesy of Milestone Auctions.