Dossier 02

Our History.

Three generations of one family, one trade, one address in Kansas City. The story of Bossert's Military Surplus, from 1949 to today.

The Bossert's Military Surplus storefront at 434 NE 32nd Street, Kansas City. Brick building with the signature navy blue awning, white stars, and 'MILITARY SURPLUS' lettering.
The founder

David ‘Gene’ Bossert started with what came home from the war.

After the war, in 1949, with returning troops and surplus equipment piling up at military bases, Gene found a purpose for the used and unused military items. He bid on it, picked it up, and gave it a new home, repurposing gear that still had plenty of life left in it. Not yet a retail store, just a steady hand in the auction yard.

The retail storefront on 32nd Street opened in October 1990. Across both eras the proposition has been the same: take in real military surplus, sell it at a fair price, and stand behind everything that goes across the counter.

”

I'll probably die behind the counter.

Don Bossert Owner · Interview, 2019
Archive · Living in 64116

An interview with the Bosserts.

In 2019, Jay Swearingen of the Living in 64116 video series sat down with Don Bossert for a short conversation about the store, the trade, and the Northland. Three minutes, on tape.

EPISODE 021 / BOSSERT'S MILITARY SURPLUS / 03:48 RUNTIME
Service Record · 1949 to today

More than 75 years on file.

Every era of American military surplus has passed through this operation. A condensed service record.

  1. 1949

    The trade begins

    David "Gene" Bossert begins buying government surplus in Kansas City. Not yet a retail store. A steady hand in the auction yard, sourcing WWII issue field jackets, canteens, mess kits, and boots from Army warehouses.

  2. 1953

    Korean War surplus

    A wave of Korean War surplus reaches Bossert's stock: M51 parkas, mountain rucksacks, shoepacs, and pile caps.

  3. 1970s

    Vietnam era inventory

    Tropical uniforms, jungle boots, ALICE packs, and OD 7 gear move through the operation. The knife trade becomes a distinct line of business.

  4. Oct 1990

    Retail storefront opens

    Bossert's opens its retail location at 434 NE 32nd Street in the Kansas City Northland. The building has been the headquarters ever since.

  5. 1990s

    Second generation

    The Bossert family's second generation takes operational lead while Gene and his wife Alta stay involved at the counter.

  6. 2000s

    GWOT era gear

    OCP, MultiCam, MOLLE II, and Crye cut gear join the racks alongside the vintage stock. The cold weather room expands.

  7. Today

    Third generation, same trade

    The third generation of the Bossert family runs the floor. Authentic surplus, knives, MREs, Hardigg cases, custom vest patching for veterans, and a 5 star reputation across Google.

Standing Orders

Four principles, since 1949.

01

Real Issue, Not Reproduction

Every item in the store is genuine military surplus or authentic period equipment. We don't carry airsoft, costume, or replica gear.

02

Fair, Knowable Prices

No bidding wars, no "auction premium," no online markup. Same prices for everyone, marked on the tag.

03

Knowledge Behind the Counter

Decades of cataloging mean we can tell you the era, the unit, the issue number, and what the thing was actually for.

04

No Pressure to Buy

You can come in, look around, and leave. That's a normal day at Bossert's, and always has been.

Oscar the shop dog, a black Labrador, sitting in a military Humvee in Bossert's lot. A constant fixture of the store, as familiar to regulars as the family at the counter.
The family

Same family. Same building. Same trade.

Bossert's has been family owned and family operated for more than 75 years, its entire existence. That continuity is rare in surplus. Most shops change hands every decade or two, and it's the reason the inventory is what it is. We know what we bought thirty years ago, and we still have the paperwork.