How did the show go ?

Vibrant, alive, comatose, or DOA ?

Bargains ? Prices ?

Also, a report on the hotels now that the Executive Inn has gone to the big roach trap in the sky.

Dave

Looks like everyone that went to the SOS fell off the face of the earth.

Just got back from the show, and had a wonderful time. I picked up some really good stuff for my site mostly common items, and sold some really rare stuff. It was great to meet Damast, Mr Jerry Baz69, and hang with Fritz and Ed Sunday. I Hired My good friend to shoot some photos of the show for a slide show im putting together to go on my web site. I will let you all know when its done. Over all I would say it was a great show, and the gun show next door had some killer deals. can't wait for next year

The show was great and like Spencer said the gun show had some killer deals! i saw a mint NSDAP visor orts level sell for 400, just missed it but I made some nice finds as well. Overall it was a great time! Like Spencer said can't wait till next year.

Fritziii

I had a good show. I sold off some of my collection and met some nice people.

My only gripe was the poor state of cleanliness in the restrooms.

Definately no economic downturn at my tables. On setup day, I couldn't find room on my two tables for everything so, as things sold, I kept adding new things. This morning, I had very little left to bring back home.

I agree, I had a good show.Didnt seem like to much of a slow down sales wise for me. I did talk with people that said sales were slow but also alot that sales were good.I did notice there werent as many oversea buyers as last year.Mainly the Russians, but still lots of brothers from across the pond were still there.

My opinion on dagger sales in comatose- way down, few europeans and less interest than usual. I stayed at the new Holiday Inn which was very nice, inexpensive, had a ready shuttle etc- would stay there again.Mike

My interest in fairly limited, I only collect Eickhorn swords, and SOS has never had much to offer,except LUft General's swords of which there are always several in attendance, but out of my price range. This year's show actually had a little more to offer for me, I did not buy any swords but did find some nice Eickhorn sales material. However, I would like to make this observation: It seems to me that most of the dealers have their goods grossly overpriced, hoping to get top dollar from someone. I am sure that trading was good for some, but when you walk past table after table loaded with SA daggers all priced at $800 and up, and EKIIs, by the hundreds, all priced at $175 and up, average Army sabers priced at $700 and nobody standing in line to buy them, I wonder if the stuff is really for sale or only on display. A friend of mine had two SA's in good condition for sale in the $550 range and neither of them sold. The material that I bought was not even on display, it was under the table. I suspect that most of the sales are done between friends and the vast majority of merchandise on the tables is priced for show. I am certain that many will reply that the stuff wouldnt be priced that hight if people were not willing to pay it, but I dont know how many of you would actually pay those prices. Not many, I bet. I always enjoy the show, and plan to regulary attend, but I think the pricing on most of the merchandise there is just not realistic. Joe S

Sadly, I wasn't able to make it this year but I've spoken to a few dealers and I have mixed reviews, some saying that it was real slow and others said that they did well.
However, it was quite obvious to everyone that attendance were way down, especially those coming from Europe. Sure there are still many Europeans coming but a lot less did this year.
Also from my understanding, it was once again a good show for dealers, just buying and trading their stuff around.
As for true collectors, like myself, nothing really great, low condition quality inventory and inflated prices but that's nothing new.
The market is not dead, far from it, but it has slowed down and will bounce back again once the global economic get's better.
High end artifacts are still in high demand but the lower grade stuff, isn't selling.
There are tons and tons of Armies, Luft, SA's and Navy daggers for sale all over the web and buyers are few, though they are being offered at discounted prices.
Who once said in their ads, "investment potential". Probably a dealer's selling speech.

The SOS was nice as usual. Lots of repos and parts daggers for sale. There was some high end stuff for sale. IMO most smaller dealers were working out some great prices. Saw some killer daggers for reasonable prices. IMO the big dealers were high but that is not usual.

Ran into many familiar faces, that really makes the show fun! The hotels are nice, I stayed at the Hampton. The old Executive North is under new ownership and is VERY nice!


bottom line great show, things sold if you had them priced to sell.

The fact is that the SOS is still one of the two best military shows and is no doubt the largest military show in the world. This year we had 1624 tables-the maximum we can get in the hall according to fire regulations.
Attendance was not down at all but very large as usual.
Some did not attend but others were there for their first time.
Sales were down a bit across the board but many reported it was the best show they had ever had.
The economy is down around the world-- no doubt-- but we still had a VERY large worldwide attendance
I observed MANY quality and rare items for sale--and yes--Many sold.
Almost ALL dealers pre-paid for the 2010 SOS which says it all. Expect another early announcement that the SOS 2010 is sold out as usual.
So--If you missed it and did not have to--IMO you missed out.

Hello Mr. Coates,
Thanks for the good news on the show.
You say the SOS is 1 of the 2 best shows.

What is the other show and when is it.

Also can tables be bought for the 2110 show right now??
Thankyou

I won't speak for Houston, but in my mind the Max is the second best in the USA.

Sepp

GDC 0292 Gold

Gentlemen,
Speaking for myself, the SOS is a MUST to attend if you're in this hobby at all. So many tables your feet get quite tired just walking it. I spoke to a couple of guys who were there for the first time. Needless to say, both used the term "overwhelmed" to express their positive attitude on the show overall. My thanks to Houston who stood by the door at entry time and did not let the perople who "broke" into the line in the hall untill they went to the end opf the line. Now that's integrity! For me, one of the best displays I saw was the Luger of Sepp Dietrich absolutely beautiful. I'm sure others took better pictures but a couple of mine with my phone camera are shown below.

I Love This Stuff
Von Ryan

Pic 2

Pic 3

Pic 4

IMO the SOS and the MAX are the two best military shows in the world. Tables for the SOS 2010 can be bought now--if there are any left. If there are they will be gone VERY soon as we sell out earlier each year.

The SOS was great!!! We have went the last three years and they get better every year. Here are a few photos.

Photo 2

Photo 3

More

One more.

OK, one more.

Did anyone else notice that there were more women this year?????? Or was it just us??

My show was off. While some Russians did come, not the usual number.
The attendence, especially on the first two days seemed to be up quite a bit from my view, BUT the sales did not meet what I had experienced in years past.
While sales did pick up on Saturday, they were off almost as much as sales at the MAX Show after 9/11 for me.
I also didn't see too many NEW items and the dealers I spoke with did not buy near as much as usual. Not because they didn't have the money or desire, just not as much material available as in past shows.
Prices, in general, were NOT down, but I did notice some of the major dealers had discount signs: UNUSUAL as I have not seen these in the past.
Overall, the interest still seems to be high, but too many collectors are waiting to see how the economy is going to play out in my opinion.
Ron Weinand

I enjoyed the photos guys! I don't go any distance to shows any more, but it looks like that one was definitely worth the effort with so much great stuff to see. If someone has more pix I would love to see them.
This year has been the year of buying another home for me so daggers and militaria ave come last. I had planned to sell my SS chain to buy furniture but I just couldn't part with it. Can anyone relate to that?
More Pix.

quote:

Originally posted by Gator:
I enjoyed the photos guys! I don't go any distance to shows any more, but it looks like that one was definitely worth the effort with so much great stuff to see. If someone has more pix I would love to see them.
This year has been the year of buying another home for me so daggers and militaria have come last. I had planned to sell my SS chain to buy furniture but I just couldn't part with it. Can anyone relate to that?
More Pix.

Heres some more for you.