There is no excuse for selling fakes
I often hear collectors defend dealers , it is an honest mistake , it’s a good guy , you can’t know everything , he refunded me so I am happy.
What I’m concerned selling fakes is no way to treat customers and people should be less understanding when it happens. Be glad you get your money back but don’t say your happy of the service ! Even if the dealer was clueless about it , fuck it he is responsible. He’s the one that calls his website : Jimmy’s Authentic WW2 memorabilia – 100% Original stuff. It’s on him !
We as customers have the power in our wallets. Tougher customers will make it tougher for the frauds , tougher for the clueless dealers.
Take a look at this video at 9:09 , Antiques dealer Wittman passes a table FULL of fake SS helmets. What’s his excuse ? It’s his job for Christ sakes.
Catawiki
This helmet was reviewed by their expert and given the thumbs up. After I complained the listing was cancelled. Fake decal of course , painted name is also added later. Also the lot number is a good indicator that the helmet should not have a decal.
Auctions websites can yield very nice items but only for those with an expert eye and a great deal of experience. If you have to buy from them based on their experience you are in for disappointment.
History hunter
This was up for auction as an authentic M42 SS helmet and people were bidding on it. After it was brought up on the German Helmet Walhalla forum the auction was cancelled.
Bad liner , bad decal.
Hermann Historica
Another example of an upgraded authentic helmet with the Signal magazine logo. It’s without a doubt post war added to increase the helmet value. Some poor soul will pay 1600 euros for a 250 euro helmet.
Galerie d´Histoire
A H
Historical Antiques, Orders and Medals
I kid you not , initials AH.
A fake FJ helmet for 5250 euros
Fake DRK decals
Wittman Antique Militaria
As I wrote in previous blog post , helmets with factory logo’s are rare and authentic firefighter helmets with no or damaged decals can be upgraded easily for maximum profit. Wittman has several civic helmets where the factory logo or stencils have been post war added. Priced at times 5 the real value without the logo.
Remember , fake helmets means more stuff in their inventory is fake so make sure to get more opinions on items you are interested in.
Happy hunting!
Frank
I must admit I thought two of those dealers you mentioned were beyond reproach just goes to show once out of their knowledge zone ( I am being kind) they have no more idea than me! and I have very little knowledge hence the use of forums.
So thank you
why no deacal on this helmet , by this lot number? l.w. one
Op za 14 jul. 2018 om 12:11 schreef German Helmet Vault
> schwerpunkt73 posted: “There is no excuse for selling fakes I often hear > collectors defend dealers , it is an honest mistake , it’s a good guy , you > can’t know everything , he refunded me so I am happy. What I’m concerned > selling fakes is no way to treat customers and people s” >
Hello , if you check my lot number database you will see that Heer and LW decals were stopped being applied around lot number DN36X , this one is a DN521.
Well done Frank. Excellent post. Keep on sharing your knowlage.
Jac
Spot on Frank ! how truth in your article.
If collectors were knowledgeable, experienced and smart these scammers would no longer existing.
Frank,
I picked up some magnetic slotted and vented spanner bolts and nuts the other day and was wondering if you would provide your opinion. As you can see, one of the ventilation holes (top right) is not completely drilled through. The remaining rough outer finish appears greener than I would expect from a mid- to late-mid war bolt. The price was right, but I remain sceptical.
Measurements using a zeroed Starrett digital micrometer:
Bolts are 13.03mm in diameter, 12.00mm long, with a 1.93mm wide slot, and 2.70mm vent hole. The wide unthreaded part of the post is 3.56mm long and has a 7.71mm outside diameter. The unthreaded stepped portion before the threads start is 4.80mm in diameter and is 2.01mm in length. The threaded part of the post is 5.54mm long, 5.96mm wide, and has a minimum of 3 to a maximum of 4 visible threads.
Nuts are 14.02mm in diameter, 3.52mm thick, and 5.58mm thick if you include the inner circular lip with a 7.70mm outside diameter/4.83mm inside diameter threaded portion.
If you need other images, dimensions, etc., please let me know.
Spotted a fake decal on a Luftwaffe M42 in my collection, thanks to your previous info.
Thanks in advance.
Marc
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Hello Marc, I would suggest you ask opinions on the German Helmet Walhalla forum. My expertise is in M35/40/42 helmets , civic helmets and decals.
i have a german ww2 helmet with numbers on back 35873 or 25373 numbbers on left side EF64 or EP 64 both numbers are on the inside. the numbers on the back are different, the last number 3 is small,half the size as the others.the decals start just below the vent hole on each sideand they run downward onto the flair,they are in very bad shape from being scratched out and disfigured. the top has a swastica with a number 223below it,on what looks like a sheild backgroundi cant make out an egle
Just send me an e-mail with photos John , see my contact page.