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This is a bit late as I haven't logged on here for a while, but your friend might be interested to see this post I made in 2011: http://pickelhaubes.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=5641&hilit=lion+mars+la+tour" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. I have the regimental history but I...

Hi Kev I collected WW1 British for many years (I still do, but I don't add much to that collection nowadays) and branched out into German kit in a very small way much later. My advice, and I know how hard it is to follow, is be patient and don't rush. There are a LOT of pickelhaubes out there...

That is a very beautiful thing, quite sensational. It's got everything!

I may be wrong, but trying for that elusive local bargain from a private seller sounds like a big effort for little or no reward. I think you're much better off scouring ebay and dealer websites, as that's where most militaria ends up today. I used to maintain links with many part-time dealers...

I hope so too! I think that maybe the "dead soldiers" in the deep trench are live ones trying to get some sleep...

Ah, the good old Who Sets Market Prices? question! I agree with Ron’s analysis for items that turn up regularly, but for top-quality rarities dealers can ask pretty much what they want and someone will pay it. That someone has been me now and again. I've never regretted paying over the odds for...

Seems to be general agreement that this is not a good thing....

I can't figure it out but this doesn't seem right to me. Seems to my inexpert eye to be a mixture of officer and enlisted rank parts. Are any experts on the Model 1842 in the house? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300955828313?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649"...

Seconded. Just Google him and you'll find "honorable" mentions on various forums. He has 100% feedback because he knows how to play the ebay system. Every country has its vermin!

The lining material looks right, the maker's stamp is in a typical font, and all the stampings have the right look. The sweatband is nicely grubby, and the grey-green band has just the kind of slight wear to the nap that I like to see. The somewhat chef's-hat shape is a bit unusual, but overall...

He has a quite amazing ability to find items with labels and inscriptions, which equally amazingly always seem to be in the same handwriting by the same typewriter. And there is a strange similarity in the "maker labels" in some of the kit he sells. I recently saw a distinctive WW2 helmet sell...

This seller has, ahem, a "reputation" in the UK.

A genuine pair, but about double the price you'd expect to pay, which is no doubt why they have been languishing on his site for about two years.

Hello Bernard Thank you so much for that piece of information! It is wonderful to know which unit it belonged to, and this has renewed my interest. There is actually a photo of a man of this regiment in the Osprey book on Prussia's allies, possibly (ok, not very likely I know) holding this very...

There are varying views on Pecard. Some people swear by it, others won't touch it. I haven't tried it so I can't say from personal experience, but from what I've heard I'm wary of it. I wouldn't use hide food, because although it stabilizes red rot, it soon dries out and hardens, plus it darkens...

Given that these are common enough that you don't have to make do with one that's not quite how you want it, my own opinion would be not to buy it unless you can get it cheap. It's a pity how sometimes people get hold of a jar of leather dressing, and then it goes straight to their head and they...

Gents, thank you for this informative and helpful commentary. There is always something new to learn on pickelhaubes.com!

Thanks Ron. I have a genuine one of these in my collection, and I don't know! To be fair this period is not my area of expertise, and I think there is more variation in the earlier ones, but my thoughts were, yes chinscales and cockade brand new, but spike and spine possibly correct although...

What, nobody else has any thoughts to add?

...does anyone? Are the spike and plate the only good bits, or am I badmouthing a great item? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/350509817760?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; [edited - wrong link was posted]