When did the reproductions appear? Do they have any value?

[MPMacy]

I don't remember so many reproductions helmets on the market even a year ago. When did all the reproductions start coming from India? I am in Delhi and am going to visit one of the factories and was wondering what people knew about the history of the Indian repros. Any comments would be really welcome. Do they have any value besides for re-inactors? Does the quality vary? I really would like to know what people think about them? A newspaper is considering writing an article about the rise of niche manufactures and they are looking at the "antiques" industry and I said I would ask among fellow collectors. MP

 

[joerookery]

Often times reproductions which are terrible cost as much as the real thing. Many people get fooled.

 

[Gustaf]

In my opinion, the only value that the reproductions have is for reenactors and bikers, as Joe said, often a reproduction costs as much as a real one, and they will never gain in value.
Best
Gus

 

[seagull]

I bought a couple of nice enough repros because they were REALLY cheap and my wife and I wore them to a fancy dress party - which was a hoot! Now they sit on top of a book case in my office looking decorative enough without my having to worry about their getting dusty or crazed - as I would with the real ones! I suspect a lot of people buy them just to have something evocative of the era, and that's it.
Cheers
Steve

 

[poniatowski]

There are some nice reproductions out of Germany, but I agree: costume, re-enactor and FUN use only. No value to them, but NOW they are cheaper than the originals... or so it seems.
They're like replica weapons of any kind. They have their purpose and may even be 'collectible', but there's no history to them.

Ron