The only ones that go for that sort of money over here are fakes ( eg Spanish post-war, etc ) or almost unrecognizable 'relics'.....
I didn't see this before but--I saw three for sale at the gunshow this weekend but--they were repainted Spanish helmets. These guys had one painted feldgrau with double decals--not even in the correct places. They had another that was poorly painted black--supposed to be Waffen or Allgemeines SS--they had it listed as Waffen SS--but I corrected them on their description of it. I got dirty stares back but--I didn't care either. The final one was painted sand colored--and had the luftwaffe decal on the wrong side (Laughing icon please) They had the so-called Heer helmet priced at $450.00. The so-called Waffen SS priced at $850.00. The so-called "Africa Corps" Luftwaffe helmet was ay $1,000.00. I waltzed back by their table about an hour later--and I noticed that they had a new sign out stating the helmets were not for sale--just for show. They also stated that if one wanted to know about German helmets--please feel free to ask them. (Laughing Icon please) The final jope on the helmet description was that they were all M-35 helments--but clearly were not. I sure wish I still had my long since gone (lost courtesy of the U.S>Postal System) to have show off. Mine was a REAL M-35 Double Decal--and not in the best of condition but still "battle worthy."
Hello Buff - Don't give up hope. Bargains are still out there if you are only willing to be patient. Go to my thread on my Luftwaffe collection and take a look at the first pic that Volkbert posted. You will see dead center of the photo an original SD fallschirmjager helmet. Now, those guys today can go upwards in to the three to four thousand dollar range. I picked up that one for $750. Can it be real for that cheap of a price you might ask? Yes, because I swapped a guy a panzer grenadier tunic for it. I know that you might not be able to do the same, but, if you are looking for something that you wish to display, and take care of, and are not wishing to obtain a specific helmet, i.e., M40 Luftwaffe DD, w/chinstrap, I might be able to help you out. First of all, I am NOT a dealer, just a collector taking care of a given segment of history until Father Time catches up to me, and informs me it is time to go and check out of this hotel called "Planet Earth". But, I know of a guy, who has a complete M40 SD w/chinstrap ( strap alpha coded and 43 date stamped ), but it is a small size. His asking price is $250. If you are interested in it, let me know, and I can get you in touch with him, and you two can work out the details. Best I can do. Bill
That's a good price--If I weren't so in the hole and if he couldn't get it--i'd snatch it up in a heartbeat.
Thanks a lot Bill I you could ask that guy to mail me at brett82487@yahoo.com I would appreciate it a lot.
Yes, Bill, I got that PM. thanks a lot. I actually just got a book on the Waffen SS so I am looking to start a collection. Problem is, stuff is so darn EXPENSIVE!!! Well, thanks again Bill.
