Starting to collect, advice please

5thlancers

5thlancers

New member
Hi folks,
This is my first post so please go easy on me.
I have been collecting WW1 British hats and helmets now for about 15 years, I have now decided I want to branch out a bit and start to collect Pickelhaube's, I have attached images of two I'm interested in trying to purchase, could some kind sole take a look at them for me and just tell me if they look right, I'm pretty sure they are but just need it confirming and also could you tell me what sort of price I should be paying for them as I don't want to go over the top and pay to much.
Thanks for your help.
I'm really sorry about the images but this is all a bit new to me.
Kev.

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Welcome to the forum! I'm looking at this before I start work and our computers here don't support a lot of the image posting on Picks, so I can't see you photos until I get home. ](*,) I'm sure others will offer opinions.

However, welcome again and here are some tips from my personal point of view:

1) Start compiling a list of helmets you want in your collection and stick to it (unless there's a real bargain or free helmet or.... :wink: ). With the cost of Pickelhaube these days, it's important.
2) Watch the ebay topic here, there are a lot of fakes identified.
3) I'm sure you have a research library already, but if not, start one!
4) Condition. Decide on what your minimum condition requirements are. This goes hand in hand with your wants list.

Price? Well, that's pretty much up to you. All of us have 'needed' helmets that we'd sell our souls for. Look at Age of Kings, they are reasonable in their pricing and I'm sure others can help you there too.

Since you've been collecting for a while, I'm sure you know most of this, but the people here have really helped me in the hobby.

:D Ron
 
You can choose a "theme":
Infantry
Artillery
Cavalry
...
of one or more "Länder"...

Or the "grey" M15 ones...

Good luck !
As Ron stated: good reference books come first !

Francis
 
Hello Kev,
welcome to the forum. The advice regarding reference materials is spot on. I sadly speak from experience when I first started collecting in the mid 60's. Since then I've done a lot of research and have accumulated a lot of material on helmets. Please visit my web site: http://www.kaiserhelmts.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Good luck with your collecting efforts.
Jim
 
Jim Misspelled his own website :-? it is

http://www.kaiserhelmets.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Your helmets look good

James
 
Hi,
Thanks to everyone for your kind words and advise, it's much appreciated.
Can anyone recommend any good books on the subject please.
Jim I'd be interested in purchasing your Spiral Bound Hard Copy price guide if you ship to the UK.
Kev.
 
Have a closer look here:
http://www.pickelhauben.net/books.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

*and this absolutely great French book*: http://librairie-hussard.com/catalog/librairie-hussard-uniformes-allemagne-coiffures-combat-larmee-allemande-1914-1918-p-100954.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Every little part is discribed !!
The most complete book on this subject since the J-L Larcade books !
[All started with the Larcade books (1980ies)].

Francis
 
Hi Kev,

Also welcome to the forum. I agree with the comments of the others. Getting informed is one of the priorities and starting with a theme is also a very good idea. When you go further, things will expand automaticly... So, beware of the haube-virus :-" !

Adler
 
Kev,

Buy books, but some of the most accurate information on the web is available for free at kaisers bunker. He refuses to do a book although he has helped with many, as he wants the information to be there for anyone to use for free. His site has saved me thousands. He does not do email anymore since he lost his dog, but he still updates the information. You can spend hours on there learning. Well worth your time to visit.

http://www.kaisersbunker.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
 
Thanks guy for all the info and the links, much obliged.
I take it the (LES COIFFURES DE COMBAT DE L’ARMÉE ALLEMANDE 1914 1918) Book is in French and not English.
Kev.
 
5thlancers said:
Thanks guy for all the info and the links, much obliged.
I take it the (LES COIFFURES DE COMBAT DE L’ARMÉE ALLEMANDE 1914 1918) Book is in French and not English.
Kev.
Click to expand...

It's not that difficult to pick up on it. I don't speek French, but do pretty well with their reference books. Once you translate a few words, you can read the descriptions fairly well. Studying the photos of originals to look for subtle differences so as to be able to spot mismatched parts in Haube for sale, etc. is a skill to learn.
When I started collecting, I was the only one I knew in the hobby, had NO reference books since only two were rarely available and they were illustrated, rather than photo'd, so it was a matter of learning as I went along. Now with prices as they are, it's important to do some research and have some reference materials. Of course, this forum is a wonderful source of info as well because there are some of the top people in the hobby here as well as some excellent reference sites, such as Kaiser's Bunker and Colonel J's.

:D Ron
 
Welcome to the forum! I agree wholeheartedly with the advice of the other forum members. Moreover, by joining this forum you already did a good thing and be never afraid to ask questions here.

Regards,

Edwin
 
Welcome Kevin. You can save a great deal of money by studying the "Kaisers Bunker" both on reference books and bogus helmets. Pictures from Tony Schnurr's collection are actually in the latest French reference recommended in this post. His vast knowledge of this Imperial Collecting area is all there for free. Secondly, go to the militaria shows which I am sure that you do but this time handle the hauben......as many as you can, even the most common Prussian M15. Unfortunately, the UK has a reputation for parts helmets and fakes so be very careful. We also have a list of Regimental stampings here on the forum so if you see something that you don't understand you can probably figure it out or ask for help here.
 
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, there will always be good ones coming up, and it might take quite a while before you work out what you like best. Also, this is a horrendous minefield if you don't know your way around and tough even if you do. So I'd say just watch this forum, ebay, and the dealers for a bit, learn as much as you can, and resist the temptation to go on a buying spree. You don't want to end up in a year's time trying to sell expensive helmets that you no longer want.

Best of luck mate.

Ted
 
Thanks Ted for all the advise, I'm trying to ease myself into it slowly and I'm still collecting my WW1 British head gear as well so I'm in no rush, incidentally if you ever want to part with any of your British collection, I'd always be interested.
Cheers.
Kev
 
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