319 West 42nd Street
Minutes from Times Square • The Intrepid Museum • The Broadway Theater District
Monday-Friday 11am-6pm
Saturday 12pm-6pm • Sunday Closed
For Military Surplus- We’re It!™
Our Story
We’ve been in the Military Surplus business since 1938, and we know it well.
Actually, ‘Surplus’ (Military Surplus, that is!) is our middle name!
Beginning in 1946, when Kaufman’s supplied the original Mr. Roberts starring Henry Fonda on Broadway with U.S. Navy World War II issue military surplus uniforms (What else?!), we’ve continued an unbroken --- thread supplying many of America’s most renowned theater productions.
In 1955, with the advent of television, Kaufman’s supplied The Phil Silvers Show starring the comedian Phil Silvers as Master Sergeant Ernie Bilko with U.S. Army Korean War issue khaki military surplus uniforms.
Over the years since, Kaufman’s Uniforms & Props Rental Division has supplied off-Broadway, college and regional theater productions Nationwide as well as popular television shows and major film productions with military surplus uniforms, props, and equipment.
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We’re much more than just another website!
Kaufman Surplus Inc. operates Kaufman’s Army & Navy, one of the oldest Military Surplus stores in the United States and the oldest in New York City.
We specialize in original new and used military surplus uniforms, equipment and insignia from the United States Armed Forces and many foreign countries.
The year is 1958, and there is Mr. Kaufman inspecting his cannons in front of his new store!
Military collectors and enthusiasts, history buffs, Veterans, active-duty military personnel and reservists from the United States and countries the world over are daily visitors to our 42nd Street store.
Professional costume designers, prop specialists and set designers for theater, film and television rely on us practically every day!
So, you’re invited to stop by our store on your next trip to New York City, where you’ll likely see something new and soak up some history too!
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Checkpoint Charlie™ is the name of Kaufman’s (new) Online Sales Division.
Check out our extensive selection of genuine Military Surplus as well as many terrifically well-designed Checkpoint Charlie™ items that are exclusively ours!
We welcome your comments and inquiries as we go Online and bring our store to you at checkpointcharlie.nyc.
Our West 42nd Street store is within walking distance
of all these famous New York City Landmarks:
Times Square • Intrepid Museum • Broadway Theater District
Port Authority Bus Terminal • Bryant Park • Grand Central Station
The Public Library on Fifth Avenue • Chrysler Building • The Jacob Javits Convention Center
You’re invited to visit
Kaufman’s on West 42nd Street.
We only sell our used Military Surplus clothing at our New York City store,
where you can try it on in person to ensure a comfortable fit.
Many other Military Surplus items are available for purchase Online.
Visit Kaufman’s West 42nd Street store or Shop Online
Mr. Kaufmann’s original store (1938 - 1965)
was located in Lower Manhattan prior to
the construction of the World Trade Center!
A recently discovered PBS documentary titled New York a Documentary Film chronicles the fascinating story of how sixteen entire city blocks in lower Manhattan that included the bustling commercial district fondly referred to as Radio Row, was first assembled and completely razed, beginning in 1965, for the construction of the World Trade Center.
In the middle of it all, on the corner of Cortlandt and Greenwich Streets, was Mr. Kaufmann’s original Military Surplus store.
This is a link to the entire episode. Mr. Kaufmann’s Cortlandt Street store is featured at time-code 58:44 or you can go window shopping at 59:51.
Check it out!
In the Press
“Kaufman’s Army & Navy is a musty, chaotic spot for camouflage and boots; it is one of the few true military surplus stores still around. Look for the two wooden-wheeled United States Army Hotchkiss Mountain cannons from the Spanish-American War squatting outside.”
"Kaufman’s is one of the oldest army-surplus stores in the country. Pick through chaotic piles of garments inside to find such cool military garb as wide selection of pea coats and thick Austrian army sweaters, plus classic workwear and casual brands such as Dickies and Schott. The store also rents outfits to costume-party goers and wardrobe scouts (remember Robert De Niro’s field jacket in Taxi Driver? Enough said)."
"A favorite depot for the fashion set, this place has military surplus items from around the world—Navy-style pea coats and an array of bags in all types. One-of-a-kind items like WWII-era maps of Tokyo, as well. Some English Patient costumes came from here."
"The best selection of army/navy stores in the U.S."
The Rise and Fall of
the Army Surplus Store
October 2016, The Art of Manliness
Say, have you read the article, The Rise and Fall of the Army Surplus Store originally published in October 2016 in The Art of Manliness artofmanliness.com by Brett and Kate McKay?
It’s interesting for sure, but the best part for us is that of all the hundreds- if not thousands of military surplus stores in the United States, the authors featured a 1960s photograph of Kaufman’s retail store on West 42nd Street in New York City for the opening of the article itself.
We’re very flattered!
But the premise that military surplus stores are on the way out is simply not the case here- and we invite everyone who enjoys Army & Navy and military surplus stores to visit ours the next time you’re in New York City!
When it comes to military surplus, what Mr. Kaufman said many years ago is still true today: “We may not have everything, but we sure have a lot!”
Custom Stamped
‘DOG TAGS’
Dog tags can be stamped at our
West 42nd Street store while you wait!
The process takes about fifteen minutes depending on whether the store is busy at the time of your visit. If you’re in a rush, we’ll try to do them even faster!
Quantity discounts apply: Please inquire
Click on the image below
for your printable form.
A Set of Tags Costs $15.00 and Includes:
• 2 Stainless Steel Plates
• 2 Stainless Steel Chains
• 2 U.S. Army Regulation Chains (5 1/2″, 27″)
• 1 Pair of Rubber “Silencers”
• 5 Lines are available on each plate
• 15 spaces are available per line
• Every space counts as one character
• Each plate can be stamped differently
Kaufman’s in Entertainment History 1948 - 2025
Military Uniforms & Props
Rentals and Sales
We supply:
• Broadway
• Television
• Film
• Special Events
• Off Broadway
• Off-Off Broadway
• Regional Theater
• College Theater
• Photographers
• Illustrators
Please call or email us with your requirements.
We may be able to assist you on your next production.
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