Hello greetings to everybody, I am new here, I am an amateur about almost verything regarding the second world war, I like collecting militaria items and reading about history ancient and 1930'- 40's, and of course I find this forum very interesting. As a first post I have a question I hope someone much more knowledgable then me could give me an answer, I would be really very grateful and hoopefully you find it also interesting: I came across an original german civilian gas mask dated 1938 which is (as you can see on the pictures) brand new, or as you say, mind conditit complete with box and instructions manual. Now I would like to sell it, but I don't know what could be the reasonable value, taking to account the rarity of such a mask. Looking forward to read your posts many thanks!!!
AmonMauser, those are military issue gas masks. I think Balilla means this type-which is from my collection, and is also date 1938.
Hello, thank you for your posts, sorry for the problem with the pictures, I try again hoping it will work now! So guys, more or less what would you say it could be worth such a mask when unused and complete with original box?!
Yes! It seems to be same, probably the only difference is the colour, and yours appears to be used although in good condition, while mine is unused.
They are actually not as rare as you may think. A complete one, like you have, can be picked up for around £15-20.
Rare is not the mask for sure, but its condition, how many can you find unused? Give them to me for £15-20 each, I buy them ALL
I confirm this estimation of about 20 euros. What makes the mask interesting is the explanation sheet that goes with it, it would give it another 5 euros extra value. I recently bought one in great condition for 22 euros in Germany.
Balilla, your gasmask is indeed in very good condition, but this is not the only factor that determines its value. Other factors include; the demand from collectors (there tend to be more collectors of military items than that of civilian), and the availability of an item. As I've mentioned before, this type of gas mask is not that rare-even in mint condition. I see lots at militaria fairs, and they don't command a great deal of money. I hope this helps.
I sometimes find French or Czech ones on the junk pile after the local flee market i over. The German one will sell for a bit more, whereas in fact hey are much more common than the Czech ones, but as ou say it's a matter of demand.
I concur with the price assessment, as well. They are around that price - if not cheaper - in this area. 99% of them are unused and with documentation. So Balilla - if you're serious about buying them all for that price, I can get you about 50 of them this weekend.