How do you 'collect'?

poniatowski

poniatowski

Well-known member
Years ago, when I decided to become a 'serious' collector, I made a list of 'most wanted' helmets. As time has gone on, I have indeed found a few, but not many (since I mostly wanted the rarest of the rare). So now, I purchase helmets that 'speak to me'.
This means that I still have my list, but am willing to purchase helmets just on the basis of liking them, even though I may have a close duplicate in the collection already. But, it has to be a helmet that I like the looks of... 'speaks to me'... says, 'buy me!'
Believe it or not, I've passed on helmets in antique stores and the like, just because there was something I didn't like, so I don't just purchase everything I come across...

How about you guys, how do you decide what to buy and what to let go?

:D Ron

PS, I WILL buy that nice 6th Kurassier EM when I come across it!
 
I like you have a want list, but pretty much buy something if it catches my eye and the deal is good.

I unfortuneatly have a habit of buying helmets I aleady have if it is a real good deal, and to go along with that, I rarely ever sell any of my helmets duplicate or not, bad habit :D

James
 
I'm with you. I don't sell Pickelhaube. However, I have to start thinking about thinning out some of my steels, many of which are of the common, every day variety... I've about 50 of them in boxes.

:D Ron
 
I never really had a list as at best, I have to force myself to write out lists of things. I used to buy parts helmets or pieces that needed restoration in order to generate cash for my habit. I bought the parts, so that I could complete things that I came accross. I bought a number of helmets from a local dealer who had access to a widow with her husbands collection. I believe, that he also used his dealer connections to come up with pieces that I, the local "fish" would go for. However, I had armed myself with reference books and had studied up on things. I did not buy from him unless the helmet was good and complete. The only time, that I bought duplicates was if the condition was better or if I thought that I could make money by flipping the helmet. I did at one time hope to have both an officer and OR's example from each of those special Regts or smaller states. So....a Hessen OR with a Hessen officer and I was able to do that. However, I am not collecting right now as you all know.
 
Ron- now is a good time to sell Steel helmets, they seam to be getting top $ right now. Even Common ones.

James
 
I am a "want list" collector. Always have been. Plus, I am a pattern collector. For example, I would never have two of anything in my collection. But for Preußen infantry, I have to have an M1842, M1856, M1860, M1871, M1887, M1891, etc etc.

Looking back at some of my old wish lists is hilarious. What was I thinking?

I do not buy unless it is on my list, don't care how nice it is. Never. I will pass it by. And I refuse to buy a piece of junk just to "have an example" You buy junk, you own junk. I would rather do without, that have a beater in my collection. My current "stuff" want list:

http://www.kaisersbunker.com/wantlist.htm

And my strap want list, as I would describe myself first as a shoulder strap collector:

http://www.kaisersbunker.com/wantlist_straps.htm

Sadly, the only thing I really want, I can never get back. :sad7:
 
The first hump to overcome is actually plunking down the money for a haube.! After that it becomes easier. I have a vague list to collect an example of a mannschaften and officer haube from each major state. However , I have had a few detours , including an KuK dragoon helmet. I have to constantly remind myself that I cant have everything I see! :D
 
Yup, everybody collects differently and with different goals. I've liked spiked helmets since I was about six, but didn't find any until I was out of high school.
From time to time, I've been lucky. I've my GdK officer, Generals' helmets and some other nice ones as well as a couple of duds from when I started collecting. As with most of us, money is always an issue, but that's the way it goes.
Best of all, I have a wife who understands my interest.

:D Ron
 
My wife tolerates my haubes, but does not understand it. She has however, made some good friends due to my collecting, meeting spouses of other collectors etc.

James
 
A wedding, eight cruises, a big wedding anniversary w/3 carats of earrings, a daughter buying a house complete with parental down payment, my never ending roof problem, a new air conditioning system, a new car, flying two kids and their significant others into our annual party for 150 people, a completely paid for week long family reunion at Disney World for 11, and the last year of college education. I collect empty beer bottles.… many beer bottles :evil3:

Thank goodness I have a wonderful family and friends like you guys to keep me focused– :read2: :read2: :read2:
 
Started of buying any and everything. Now I am looking for an example of each state, then an example of each state by type (inf, art, ect) One day hopefully soon A Garde du Corps helmet! I will buy any Pickelhaube if I think I can trade it off on something I need for my collection. Not like these helmets are falling of the trucks to wal mart.
 
I try to collect a helmet from each of the Mounted Troop branches:
Kürassiere, Ulanen, Husaren, Dragoner, Jäger zu Pferde, Artillerie...

My wife said/hopes that things will soon end then...
....wrong my dear !

I have not yet told her that then I wanted to start collecting Artillerie Kugelhelme from all the different states... :D

Rgds,
Francis
 
How do you 'collect'?
Click to expand...
An easy question... a difficult answer...
In the seventies I started collecting (as a kid) and everything army related was interesting. Weapons were at that time the most interesting.
Things changed and German stuff from both wars were cosidered as the max... Due to the purchase of a 1942 Willy's, I also started collecting WW2 US uniforms and stopped with that about a decade later...
The German WW2 material was also systematicly sold and replaced by WW1 German material. Meanwhile I'm most interested in Pickelhauben...
Some 15 years ago I stopped with this wish list, because I always found other things then those on that list.
At this moment, the stuff has to meat a few criteria in the following order:
1) Must be German 1870 - 1918
2) Must speak to me (I have to find it beautifull)
3) Must be 100% original (some minor tollerances are allowed for very rare pieces)
4) Must be in very good condition, no parts missing or replaced
5) The price has to be correct for the material
This is of course the ideal situation... sometimes I make exceptions for things that really catch my breath, but I try to stay in my collection area. There is still so much to find, the only problem nowadays is of course... the money. There's still more stuff floating arround than I ever will be able to purchase... 8)

Adler
 
My way to collect is pretty simple. I'm looking for anything in connection with the regiments of my hometown: IR 82, RIR 91 and RIR 234. Most I got is about IR 82, of course. But I just started collecting so there's much more to find. I couldn't even get a prussian Pickelhaube yet. But there a nice tunic I'm waiting for. Gonna ask for your opinion when I hold it in my hands.
 
My GREATEST problem is that I like too much that's military and as in most of my life, lack focus. I really admire guys like Tony who have a clear vision and pursue it. I've a 1960 Dodge M37 3/4 ton truck (Runner) and M7 snow tractor (disassembled) in the garage, steel helmets, tanker helmets (including some very rare ones) medals, uniforms, etc. Most of it is pretty common stuff, some is from my own service, but all of it fulfilled my need to constantly collect something.
Like I said, I have to 'clean house' soon, not only because there's too much stuff, but I don't want my wife have to gather and dispose of it all when I bump off in forty years. :-?

I like to buy complete helmets, but can't always. Not when one missing a chin strap (EM or OR) is $400 to 500 cheaper than a 100% complete one.

:D Ron
 
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