high price for M15 that's been through the mill

pointystuff

pointystuff

Active member
Am I missing something here?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Old-WWI-German-Pickelhaube-Spike-Helmet_W0QQitemZ180318488214QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item180318488214&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A0|293%3A1|294%3A50#ebayphotohosting

Puzzled,
Brad
 
I would say that Brad, as am I, is puzzled at a bid of $482 fror brass spike, trim, plate and chin strap. The shell certainly can't have any value.
 
As I am also amazed at what some people will bid, I would guess it is for the parts, and mainly the chinstrap, when is the last time you saw a Original strap for sale that went for less then $175 to $200.

Just a thought

I wish Ebay would let us see bidders names again.....

James
 
This doesn't surprise me too much but I think it's a bit daft to pay that much for junk like this. It happens a lot on 'ebay', or so it seems.

How do you guy's see the prices and values of Pickelhaubes and Militaria in general at the moment? My impression is that prices are still fairly high and even increasing more than a little? But since the great British pound went 'tit's up' it is a bit hard to judge? Does 'ebay' give a fair impression of the market?
 
I think that some "collectors" (I am a very novice WWI collector though I have invested in some reference books and am trying to learn something about 'haubes" ) think that if an item shows a lot of wear it *must* be original. I think that many of these "collectors" just collect items that they see rising in value hoping to make a killing in a year or two. Look what happened to trench knives a couple of years back where a model 1918 was "worth" $150 and they now sell for more than $500. I think the biggest fear by these collectors is of reproductions and that "wear" reduces that risk.

What I have learned here is that reproductions are common and some of them are old and show wear (or have been artificially aged) and that many original helmets have been modified or otherwise butchered over the years. Finding a decent, correct, original seems to be reserved to the very knowlegable members of this forum!

That is why when a member points to a particularly egregious fake or hack job it is helpful that he also state what the offenses are as they are not always very obvious to the novice, like me.
 
That is why when a member points to a particularly egregious fake or hack job it is helpful that he also state what the offenses are as they are not always very obvious to the novice, like me.
Click to expand...

Well said. Feel free to give anyone a poke. A question asked directly removes any doubt. 8-) 8-) :)
 
The main issue here, is has been stated....the chin strap. This is the most valuable part to this helmet. Buy this beater with an original strap keep the strap and then flog the helmet perhaps with a repro chin strap and some kokarden. There is no doubt in my mind that this is what is going on here. Brian
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top