New Member

[R.L. Stewart]

Hello all , My name is R.L. Stewart from N/E Ohio & I stumbled across this wonderful site a week or so ago & was mightily impressed . Can't believe that there are folks that are so knowledgeable concerning Imperial German collectables .
I have been interested in militaria my entire life & specialized in U.S. military firearms for most of my 67 years & had an extensive collection & still have more than I need . I am a benefactor member Life of the NRA , a life member of Ohio Gun Collectors Assn.
A week or so ago I purchased on ebay what appears to be a Bavarian officer's pickelhaube . I bought it before I looked at this site . Had I seen the site first I probably would have been scared away from buying on ebay by some of the horror stories on this site . I have had good luck so far with ebay , buying antique pocket watches , old US coins & Imperial German regimental beer steins . This pickelhaube conforms most closely to some of the photos & description of Bavarian officer's private purchase pickelhaube . Hardware looks to be nickel or silver , wappen is large variety with vines & leaves in lions legs , spike is tall & fluted , base is cruziform with officers stars ,perlring is present , cokardes are officers ,national & bavarian , visor is squared , chinstrap is silver scales ,lining is silk & calfskin . Overall condition is fair . I'm sure some of the guys seen this helmet on ebay , they don't miss much from what I've been able to read on the posts . I would really appreciate some of the guru's to take a look & tell me what I have . Will have girlfriend take some pictures & will send them . My computer skills are sadly lacking but she is a whiz .
My thanks to B. Lorree for his kindness & prompt reply to my application. Best regards , R.L.Stewart

 

[joerookery]

Welcome to the forum! Nice introduction. I love your signature. Sometimes I feel like an old man surrounded by old junk! But then there is Gus he is just an old man.

 

[R.L. Stewart]

Joe , Many thanks for your kind welcome . Don't know Gus but don't pick on him , bad enough to be old but without junk , can't imagine ! My junk has been mighty good to me over the years & has kept me out of a lot more trouble than it ever got me into .
That there is still stuff out there from over a hundred years ago still amazes me & when you see the top shelf artifacts , like Tony's it is inspirational . I remember Robt. Abels catalog from the late 40s with mint civil war Springfields for $50.00 but it took me a month to save the .50 cents to buy the catalog & Flayderman's catalogs , wish books but a great source to study . Guess everything is relative . I was on speaking terms with Norm Flayderman & he always had time to talk & advise we mere mortals . A real gentleman & we lost a giant when he passed . Knew Turner Kirkland of Dixie Gun Works, as well . Later , R.L. Stewart

 

[gregM]

Welcome aboard Robert.
The amount of helmet knowledge on the forum is astounding. In the short
time I have been here I have learned alot.

If you have a M1911A1 that you don't know what to do with, I'm
looking.

Greg