Adding information to this blog thread a little late, but just to keep the community aware.
Christopher Rattray of 21 Elgin Gardens, Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom trading as ‘theblackhill’ on eBay was at it again in 2020 fraudulently selling imitation/counterfeit helmets as real antique helmets on eBay.
I purchased a number of helmets purporting to be genuine 19th century imperial German helmets. When I received the helmets, I discovered them to be poor but clearly deliberate recent fakes/forgeries.
I contacted Mr Rattray to seek his response and was met with outrage, counter accusation, threats, etc. It was clear from the outset I was dealing with an unhinged and unscrupulous individual. He refused to take back the helmets or to provide a refund.
I reported the matter to eBay who, after a very lengthy and arduous process, eventually found in my favour and returned the considerable sum I had paid for the helmets. I requested eBay ban ‘theblackhill’ from being able to trade and prevent Christopher Rattray from re-opening an account, which they seem to have done. I imagine he will find a way to open new accounts, so recommend genuine members of the community to be aware.
I also reported the incident to Scotland Police, providing screenshots/evidence, but they essentially did nothing.
I have subsequently found Mr Rattray to be active on the Facebook page ‘Imperial German Headgear’. I reported Mr Rattray’s actions to the administrators of the page and provided evidence of his action, including reference to this blog thread on pickelhaubes.com. The administrators acted swiftly to remove his access to the page.
Mr Rattray has also used the following other names to establish eBay or other accounts in the past:
Pittmiddlewood
Elgin marbles
theblackhill
He also goes by:
Christopher
Chris
Christaidh
Based on my experience, I would recommend the following:
- If you are purchasing antique armour, helmets or headgear from anywhere near Dundee or Scotland, please be very careful in doing as much background research on the seller as possible.
- Do not transfer funds directly to the seller but use and intermediary that has Buyer protection, such as PayPal (goods and services).
- Keep evidence of every transaction, interaction, photo, etc. Consider videoing in one shot unboxing of any received parcels from initial opening through to entire inspection of the purchased articles.
In closing, I wish the genuine and honest collectors/sellers/traders in the community all the best in navigating what truely is a jungle out there.
Finally, should Mr Rattray be reading this post (and I would love it if he is), I wish you nothing less than the worst in life you arrogant, incompetent excuses for a forger. May your numerous dishonest dealings come back to haunt you in old age and deliver the crushing and ignominious end to your pitiful existence. You deserve nothing less.