It looks like this forum has picked up a wee bit this month so for what it's worth, has anyone found the market for common helmets to be depressed? The high value or unusual items still are selling, but your SD Army or Luft certainly have backed off in what they seem to be bringing. It could be the economy or simply my imagination. Have any of you noticed?

What I have seen at shows here locally is a suspicion by collectors that anything but the basic helmets are enhancements. This applies particularly to SS, camo, and FJ helmets. This suspicion keeps people from buying them and may be keeping them from displaying them here.

What we could use is a thread or two outlining some of the basics of determining real helmets, or spotting the repros.

Dave

I have been privately buying and selling for years. Mostly fairly common helmets - nothing exotic. Recently though nothing is moving even when priced below what I feel the nominal fair market value is on these things. I had one fellow tell me that since I was not asking for top dollar, there had to be something wrong with the helmet. I never try to skin a buyer and always give a full guarantee so go figure. I am thinking that perhaps people are now more concerned with the price of gasoline than a piece of militaria. Dave, I do agree with you about enhanced helmets. All one needs do is just browse through ebay for some really priceless fakes. You are probably correct about some not wanting to display a helmet here for fear it will become branded as a known forgery and then they may be stuck with a reminder of their lack of due diligence. A couple of good threads regarding the basics would probably help a bit.
Cheers,
-Mike

Yes I have definitely noticed a slow-down in the helmet market, especially SS helmets, which I keep an eye on.

So far 2008 I have seen only 10 SS helmets for sell, and no M35 SD or DD. By this time last year I had recorded 23 SS helmets for sale, in cluding 5 M35-- 2 SD and 3 DD!!

For what I have seen for sale so far, some are selling quite fast, others are taking a while and require some discounts.

I would think if it was the economy people would be selling to pay off other debts!!

Maybe now all are satisfied with their helmet collections and no further need to buy or sell!!
LOL

Interesting thought, that last one. However, my experience is that once you are infected by the helmet bug, there is no stopping the urge to purchase more.....

Good un molested complete helmets always sell . Camos are more tricky but if in good condition and of a known pattern they will sell for good money . I feel collectors are getting more fussy and perhaps tighter with their £$E and want primo examples that they know they can sell on easily if the economy goes pear shaped so if a helmet isnt primo then it should be marketed at a cheaper price or it will sit there with the others . As for SS and para helmets they are WAY out of my monetary league unfortunately just like SS daggers ,perhaps they have been priced out of the reach of even the semi wealthy collector .Rob.

I've been looking for a real nice m40 SD Luft for a while. Even as a fairly common helmet people seem to want $1200 and up so I've cooled it a bit myself............RICK

quote:

Originally posted by Rev.Mike:
... You are probably correct about some not wanting to display a helmet here for fear it will become branded as a known forgery and then they may be stuck with a reminder of their lack of due diligence...
Cheers,
-Mike

Mike,
I think you have also nailed it on the head with your statement above. I personally will not post anymore helmets due to the fact of getting "bent" over by the "so-called self appointed experts" with incorrect OPINIONS on helmets. These being helmets that have gone through the inspection by some of the best in the helmet field, as well as good research. No one likes to get screwed on a helmet when they purchase it, but no one likes to get their helmets screwed by the "so-called self appointed experts" with their incorrect and often hasty OPINIONS. I have records of these "so-called self appointed experts" cutting up helmets on one forum, only to have the "so-called self appointed experts" corrected when the real experts arrive on site. Then they bow and appologize. later to be followed up in another forum doing the same thing with the new owner. Sad state of affairs and behaviour.

More analysis, education and constructive conversation needs to again dominate these forums or the lack of it will be their downfalls.

The real knowledgable people post rarely anymore, this due to the above.
Regards,
Craig

THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE!

quote:

You are probably correct about some not wanting to display a helmet here for fear it will become branded as a known forgery and then they may be stuck with a reminder of their lack of due diligence. A couple of good threads regarding the basics would probably help a bit.
Cheers,
-Mike

Then you have the people that post helmets and ask for opinions but do not like it when opinions are the opposite of theirs.

I am still waiting for the prices to come down myself.

Over the 30 some years prices have been going up and up.
I do not think they will come down unless there is no interest in collecting anymore .


Thanks Joe Semen

Bryan,

Good luck waiting for prices to come down. There are a few guys waiting for SS and SA prices to blow out as well.

Dave

Gentlemen, what is your opinion regarding the validity of camo helmets being sold by the very reputable dealers. No names, but you know who I'm talking about. Are these helmets examined by their peers? If everyone gives it the thumbs up, then is that the deciding factor to post it for sale?
Having just gotten burned I'm very leery about all camos now. Should I be and does anyone have any suggestions? J.

Hello Jimmy & welcome to the forum.

I can’t say of the goingson behind the scenes at dealer sites, but I can imagine some get outside opinions and others do not.

Also it depends on the opinion-- often the most vocal have the least knowledge!

But keep in mind the really nice camo helmets do not sit at dealer sites -- they are sold behind the scenes between collectors.

Sorry you got burned. Take time out and learn as much as you can about camos before you buy again. BE PATIENT and wait for the right helmet. Also, if you see one you like, post for comments BEFORE you buy. Posting after only creates headaches.

I do not know what the moderators policy is here about mentioning other forums here, but do not limit yourself to just one venue for discussion. Other collectors post elsewhere & sometimes offer helmets for sale at those sites. Also, try to meet camo collectors at shows. Study origianl helmets in person.

Learn all you can, discuss before you buy and do not rush!

I myself love helmets also but I dont have more because the fakes are getting better and better.I have had the same problem with daggers,being the so called new collector experts talking down the dagger then its like an act of god to sell if needed even ifs its 100% good.I had a youth dagger that everyone said was no good.Sent it off to have it checked with a well know expert and found it to be a Great one and he bought it.Go figure,the helmet market is getting the same way now.kinda scary spending much on them now.The aged stickers being sold on ebay really turned my stomach.To bad for the hobby.

Shawn

LOL unfortunatly i hope some of the prices come down , because im a new collector it would be nice to be able to afford one of these nice pieces that I see at shows. Sometimes its not the money that matters all the time in this hobby its that your satisfied with what you have collected and that you are proud of that item. Just my opinion I mean i feel for you long time collectors that this is your investment but the long time collectors have some insane prices for these daggers and helmets , it just would be nice to be able to actually get a good dagger or helmet with out having to burn a whole pocket out of my pants. Again just my opinion.

Well, if the economy goes into a real Depression (God forbid!) prices will probably fall as no one will have the spare cash for these things. In the meantime, Black Sabbath, one can take the approach of simply saving up to afford a really nice helmet, or spending less on a more common (less desireable)one that is at least a representative piece. The problem with the latter approach is that they are more difficult to move if one needs to sell quickly. You can probably find at least one out there to fit your budget if you're patient. If I can help you just drop me a PM.
Cheers,
Mike

Mike is right. Even though prices are pretty high for the new collector remember this is still a "working man's" hobby............

Wow... Here it is almost end of August and I have finally seen an M35 DD for sale!!

Also, compare the condition of Bill's to Ken/Rich's for similar price last winter. Even in slow times prices creep up.

I've seen for sale more M40 than usual this year, anyone else notice this?

Most SS helmets seem to be selling, so either the economy is improving or collectors are determined!!!

This has been a good year for helmets for me. I found a tropical camo Army M35, an SS M40, and this last week a SD army M42 and a SD fallschirmjaeger.

Hi Gentlemen,

Just to pitch in from South Africa, I`ve also noticed the trend of helmets not being very desireable anymore?? Only 2 years ago, helmets were grabbed up very quickly, and were fetching decent prices here, but all of a sudden, you could`nt fetch $500; for a really nice SD M40??

I think people are feeling the pich more now than ever!

Dion

At a Canadian show, a good clean no decal will sit for $325.00

A single decal will sit at $650.00

They are great places to buy IF you have the money, and that is a big 'if' when the priority is to put food on the table for your children.

WOW!!!!! Tell me where that show is held.....

Heh heh..state secret!

Most of the Canadian guys will tell you that shows are great for buying , but you will cry in your beer looking for a sale..

I have bought 5 Single decal Lufts and two single decal armies in the last 2 weeks alone for a grand total of $3200, all in good shape, all unplayed with..it's just the market here i guess..some will be for sale here..