About 90 hats, helmets and caps from the emergency services and military are up for auction on April 11 after a Lawrence man decided to sell his collection.
Auctioneer Kevin Hayward said the genuine items came from all over the world, including the United States, Australia, Germany and the United Kingdom.
"These are actual police-issue hats from the time. There is a whole range there. It's like anything; you start with these things and it takes over." He expected them to sell for between $50 and $120, with the US sheriff and French gendarme hats likely to be the most popular.
Another item to be auctioned on the same day is a touch judge's silk flag used during a 1926 match between the New Zealand Maori rugby team and France.
The flag is being sold by descendants of Wiremu (Ned) Tehoka Parata, known as the father of Maori rugby, who managed and provided private funding for the tour. He was presented with the flag after the match.
