pointystuff
Active member
Yet another replica assumed to be original:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230456677525&fromMakeTrack=true
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230456677525&fromMakeTrack=true
another Prussian officer's Pickelhaube
- Thread starter pointystuff
- Start date
poniatowski
Well-known member
I feel sorry for the winning bidder.
Ron
Ron
pointystuff
Active member
These bidders will eventually run into the truth about their expensive purchases.
He added this to his auction recently:
On Apr-02-10 at 09:07:20 PDT, seller added the following information:
ATTENTION ALL PRESENT AND FUTURE BIDDERS: There have been some questions raised by militaria collectors on Ebay regarding the authenticity of this liste spike helmet. We have no way to evaluate how expert these individuals are since we do not know them personally. We have been listing some great military items since last year for a well respected military dealer who travels the globe buying and selling military collectibles. We have personally visited one of his warehouses and observed how he operates his business. All we can say is that he operates from the highest level of integrity and honesty. He does not deal knowingly in reproductions or fakes. His spectrum of inventory is very broad covering just about anything military from many different eras. Anyone in the collecting field (especially military) knows that the more you know, the more you realize you don't know. It is virtually impossible to be an expert at everything. Anyone who thinks they are is sophomoric. This seller is also a collector, but his specialty lies in areas other than WWI German spiked helmets. I personally am a collector and as some of you may already be aware, I enjoy collecting headgear. Back in the early 1960s I purchased a WWI spiked helmet in Rochester New York at an antique store for $10.00. Yes, $10, and I thought that was a lot of money at the time. The helmet was missing the spike, chin strap, and roundel, but was overall in pretty good shape. I bought it on a whim, and not because I collect spiked helmets. I was collecting Third Reich headgear at the time. (Army Wehrmacht visor caps were selling for $18.00 at the time in mint condition) I bought it because I thought it was interesting. Over the years I have added an original spike and a reproduction chin strap to replace those missing items. I am still looking for the roundels. The point is that they were not making fake spiked helmets in the 1960s. I know my helmet is original. I know that because I know when and where I purchased it. Now, this helmet which is listed is a little different. We are selling it for a widow who has requested that we liquidate her deceased husband's collection. We never knew the husband and there is no record of where and when this helmet was purchased. I am personally not an expert on spiked helmets, but I do listen objectively to those people who claim to be. This helmet looks great to me and I would personally evaluate it as an original if I found it in a shop or at a gun show. My suggestion to you the bidder is to check out our photos as best you can and compare the photos with what ever reference you can find on spiked helmets. I am told that there are references available on-line as well as in printed books. Check it out and then bid. Lastly, if you do this, and you bid and win, but find that upon receipt of the helmet you are not satisfied that it is an authentic helmet, we want you to know that we back up all the items we sell 100%. If you advise us of your dis-satisfaction within the two weeks after receipt of the item, let us know and then return the item to us in a well packed box so that we get it back in the same condition as when it was sent, and we will then refund your purchase price immediately (less shipping costs).
ONE CAUTION HOWEVER: Since we have been listing military items for this dealer we have found that the collecting world is peppered with self proclaimed experts whose ego is fed by debunking military collectible items as reproduction. We have seen several items, which we have already had authenticated by a reputable source, targeted as reproductions or fakes. In some cases, the person making the accusation was obviously not credible. In other cases they sounded believable. Our caution to you is to make sure you know the credentials and track record as well as the integrity of the "expert" you are talking to before you take their opinion into your buying consideration. Just a couple of months ago I saw a collector miss out on a really valuable collectible rare item because they were told it was a fake when in fact it was genuine. There are some really good reproductions "out there". I know because I have some good ones in my hat collection which take the place of originals which I cannot afford. Be a careful bidder, but know that we guarantee all we sell. Thanks & have a good day, Charlie
On Apr-02-10 at 09:07:20 PDT, seller added the following information:
ATTENTION ALL PRESENT AND FUTURE BIDDERS: There have been some questions raised by militaria collectors on Ebay regarding the authenticity of this liste spike helmet. We have no way to evaluate how expert these individuals are since we do not know them personally. We have been listing some great military items since last year for a well respected military dealer who travels the globe buying and selling military collectibles. We have personally visited one of his warehouses and observed how he operates his business. All we can say is that he operates from the highest level of integrity and honesty. He does not deal knowingly in reproductions or fakes. His spectrum of inventory is very broad covering just about anything military from many different eras. Anyone in the collecting field (especially military) knows that the more you know, the more you realize you don't know. It is virtually impossible to be an expert at everything. Anyone who thinks they are is sophomoric. This seller is also a collector, but his specialty lies in areas other than WWI German spiked helmets. I personally am a collector and as some of you may already be aware, I enjoy collecting headgear. Back in the early 1960s I purchased a WWI spiked helmet in Rochester New York at an antique store for $10.00. Yes, $10, and I thought that was a lot of money at the time. The helmet was missing the spike, chin strap, and roundel, but was overall in pretty good shape. I bought it on a whim, and not because I collect spiked helmets. I was collecting Third Reich headgear at the time. (Army Wehrmacht visor caps were selling for $18.00 at the time in mint condition) I bought it because I thought it was interesting. Over the years I have added an original spike and a reproduction chin strap to replace those missing items. I am still looking for the roundels. The point is that they were not making fake spiked helmets in the 1960s. I know my helmet is original. I know that because I know when and where I purchased it. Now, this helmet which is listed is a little different. We are selling it for a widow who has requested that we liquidate her deceased husband's collection. We never knew the husband and there is no record of where and when this helmet was purchased. I am personally not an expert on spiked helmets, but I do listen objectively to those people who claim to be. This helmet looks great to me and I would personally evaluate it as an original if I found it in a shop or at a gun show. My suggestion to you the bidder is to check out our photos as best you can and compare the photos with what ever reference you can find on spiked helmets. I am told that there are references available on-line as well as in printed books. Check it out and then bid. Lastly, if you do this, and you bid and win, but find that upon receipt of the helmet you are not satisfied that it is an authentic helmet, we want you to know that we back up all the items we sell 100%. If you advise us of your dis-satisfaction within the two weeks after receipt of the item, let us know and then return the item to us in a well packed box so that we get it back in the same condition as when it was sent, and we will then refund your purchase price immediately (less shipping costs).
ONE CAUTION HOWEVER: Since we have been listing military items for this dealer we have found that the collecting world is peppered with self proclaimed experts whose ego is fed by debunking military collectible items as reproduction. We have seen several items, which we have already had authenticated by a reputable source, targeted as reproductions or fakes. In some cases, the person making the accusation was obviously not credible. In other cases they sounded believable. Our caution to you is to make sure you know the credentials and track record as well as the integrity of the "expert" you are talking to before you take their opinion into your buying consideration. Just a couple of months ago I saw a collector miss out on a really valuable collectible rare item because they were told it was a fake when in fact it was genuine. There are some really good reproductions "out there". I know because I have some good ones in my hat collection which take the place of originals which I cannot afford. Be a careful bidder, but know that we guarantee all we sell. Thanks & have a good day, Charlie
I will eat my words...
SELLER WROTE:
Q: how can you guarantee this is original? Apr-01-10
A: Hi goodhelms......We are selling this item for a high-end militaria dealer who has been in the business for several decades buying and selling military antiques. He guarantees to me that everything he supplies to me is original before I even list the item. His guarantee to you the buyer is a money back guarantee. We attempt to take the best possible pictures to enable bidders to make a good determination regarding the item they are bidding on. Those collectors who are truly in the know will be able to tell from our pictures whether or not an item is original or a reproduction. If, however, you made your evaluation and won an item which upon receipt you felt is actually not an original we will refund your purchase price (minus the shipping charges) once you return the item back to us in the same condition in which it was shipped to you. This is our guarantee. Thanks, Charlie
SELLER WROTE:
Q: how can you guarantee this is original? Apr-01-10
A: Hi goodhelms......We are selling this item for a high-end militaria dealer who has been in the business for several decades buying and selling military antiques. He guarantees to me that everything he supplies to me is original before I even list the item. His guarantee to you the buyer is a money back guarantee. We attempt to take the best possible pictures to enable bidders to make a good determination regarding the item they are bidding on. Those collectors who are truly in the know will be able to tell from our pictures whether or not an item is original or a reproduction. If, however, you made your evaluation and won an item which upon receipt you felt is actually not an original we will refund your purchase price (minus the shipping charges) once you return the item back to us in the same condition in which it was shipped to you. This is our guarantee. Thanks, Charlie
poniatowski
Well-known member
I like that 'One Caution However', evidently, judging from the soft detail on the helmet plate, the somewhat off shape spike and base, HIS expert isn't an expert.
I bet the helmet smells like a new shoe.
Did you see that he listed Pickelhaubes.com as a source to show HIS helmet is authentic? Bet he wouldn't post the link to this thread!
Ron
I bet the helmet smells like a new shoe.
Did you see that he listed Pickelhaubes.com as a source to show HIS helmet is authentic? Bet he wouldn't post the link to this thread!
RonI luv it! In his description he says "Now, this helmet which is listed is a little different. We are selling it for a widow who has requested that we liquidate her deceased husband's collection." THEN when he answered a bidders question he states "We are selling this item for a high-end militaria dealer who has been in the business for several decades buying and selling military antiques."
Well which is it? The repro hustler or the little old lady? :lol:
Well which is it? The repro hustler or the little old lady? :lol:
pointystuff
Active member
Just shy of $890.
:?
Somebody is going to be very unhappy once he compares his new pointy hat to a real one.
:?
Somebody is going to be very unhappy once he compares his new pointy hat to a real one.
poniatowski
Well-known member
Yeah, a lot of money for a fake... 
Chances are, this is the person's first 'officer' helmet and they've not developed a lot of feel for what's original or not.
For me, the liner shouts repro. After that, I start looking for other signs and usually find them.
I wonder if there's an "I sold a fake to a military collector" hell somewhere.
Like I say, an honest repro is fine. A fake is just theft and ebay doesn't do squat about these thieves.
Ron
Chances are, this is the person's first 'officer' helmet and they've not developed a lot of feel for what's original or not.For me, the liner shouts repro. After that, I start looking for other signs and usually find them.
I wonder if there's an "I sold a fake to a military collector" hell somewhere.
Like I say, an honest repro is fine. A fake is just theft and ebay doesn't do squat about these thieves.
Ron
I do not think that a Wappen can de discounted because it is poor quality, one needs to see the back to tell for sure how it is made, we had a preempted discussion on a poor quality reserve cross a time ago, and even though it is obviously not correct, it was deemed to be totally correct by several of the prominent members of this forum. I think that sets a precedent that one can not judge something from a photo, and this seller may be one of those of that opinion, and he is allowed his opinion, he may believe the helmet to be totally correct, it may feel correct to him, he may have been told it was by another "expert" and the buyer may be happy with his purchase (until he tries to resell it)
It is best not to try to educate an ebay seller, as they have ebay on their side (they are the ones putting money in ebay's pocket) and it could cause problems. We ran into some of these problems when this forum first started. Besides, one should never try to teach a pig to dance, it irritates the pig, and makes you smell bad.
Best wishes
Gus
It is best not to try to educate an ebay seller, as they have ebay on their side (they are the ones putting money in ebay's pocket) and it could cause problems. We ran into some of these problems when this forum first started. Besides, one should never try to teach a pig to dance, it irritates the pig, and makes you smell bad.
Best wishes
Gus
Gus. Really... Still?
Sorry Tony, After re reading the thread, I realize that you have seen this item, and I will have to capitulate to your first hand examination of it, as I have only seen photos . But the point still stands that we can not be making judgments based only on photos, and often poor photos at best. And for members to write to ebay seller trying to "educate" them can raise problems.
Best
Gus
Best
Gus
Gus, I have never seen the item that this thread is about. T