Thoughts on WW1 Tunics

[harrison987]

Hey guys...

Somebody I know owes me a lot of money. AS he cannot cover the bill, he wants to offer me these WW1 tunics to pay off his balance.

I know nothing about WW1 tunics... But he's stating that the grey ones below are worth around $5,000+ each.

I basically need items I can sell quickly...so I do not want to get these in trade, if I am going to be stuck with them for a while.

Major of the 3rd Prussian Hussar
Ulan Sgt.
Doloman Jacket with cyphers
1907 Waffenrock
17th Ulan Officer

Thoughts?

[Robert Shoaf]

My initial thought was that the prices quoted were much too high, then I took a quick look at Helmut Weitze's website, and was surprised that a number of feldgrau tunics are listed in that price range, at least for cavalry regiments.
Weitze's prices are certainly on the high side, but I suggest looking at his website. I would want to be certain that anything offered to you is complete; no missing buttons, epaulettes, cyphers, numbers, etc.

Bob Shoaf

[GdC26]

My initial thought was that the prices quoted were much too high, then I took a quick look at Helmut Weitze's website, and was surprised that a number of feldgrau tunics are listed in that price range, at least for cavalry regiments.
Weitze's prices are certainly on the high side, but I suggest looking at his website. I would want to be certain that anything offered to you is complete; no missing buttons, epaulettes, cyphers, numbers, etc.

Bob Shoaf

Good comments. Also, just tunics or complete uniforms (pants, headgear included)? At 5k a piece, these items may not move fast here, but it may be worth talking to a dealer like Helmut. You will receive less, but he may take the whole group if good, who knows.

[phild]

I agree with both previous opinions. If these pieces are complete,original of course and in pretty nice condition they would would probably average 5k each Retail from a major dealer with a big following. I can not sell for what that kind of dealer can and I doubt that you can either.

each piece will need to be carefully evaluated as well. Such things as names, specific units, issue vs private purchase on mainly EM/NCO and many other little details in addition to condition all impact probable value.

[pauke]

Since WW 1 tunics are not your thing why not just tell him to sell the tunics and pay you? That way their values are on him to prove, not you.

[ccj]

I would $5k each seems high unless the quality is superb. Now, having said that you may be able to sell these listed tunics for $3-5k depending on how long you’re willing to wait for the right buyer. I might have interest

[Chris Boonzaier]

Weitze is usually willing to go down a bit, and give you a good trade deal if you have something nice to trade, so do not use it as a guide. Added to that... he has a waaaaaaay bigger clientele than you will ever have.... even posted on a forum you will reach just 5% of potential serious buyers of Imperial... So if he can get USD5 000 ... for most items you will be lucky to get a small portion. Example... I had a Schirmütze on various platforms for months... I wanted to sell for EUR450 ... tons of people saw it, noone took it... Weitze gave me very close to that price for it, had it on his update for EUR700 ... sold it within days... EUR700 was an OK price... as a private person I could not get EUR450 ... think of that before you do your jacket calculation...

[GdC26]

Weitze is usually willing to go down a bit, and give you a good trade deal if you have something nice to trade, so do not use it as a guide. Added to that... he has a waaaaaaay bigger clientele than you will ever have.... even posted on a forum you will reach just 5% of potential serious buyers of Imperial... So if he can get USD5 000 ... for most items you will be lucky to get a small portion. Example... I had a Schirmütze on various platforms for months... I wanted to sell for EUR450 ... tons of people saw it, noone took it... Weitze gave me very close to that price for it, had it on his update for EUR700 ... sold it within days... EUR700 was an OK price... as a private person I could not get EUR450 ... think of that before you do your jacket calculation...

+1

[harrison987]

Thanks guys...

Not sure why the attachments did not upload...but these are them here.

I agree...he should be selling them and paying me...instead of trading. He has health issues,which is the big problem...

[GdC26]

Nice tunics, from what I can see and on a quick glance only, but:

The pre-war tunics will get you substantially less than US$ 3.000 - US$ 5.000:

https://www.weitze.net/militaria/86/...5__362686.html

The Ulanka nor the the Kartuschtashen in the last pic are not for UR 17

http://www.kaisersbunker.com/dunkelb...nics/dbt24.htm

https://www.weitze.net/militaria/48/...h__348348.html

[Chris Boonzaier]

If Bill Gates is buying, you can go for the prices he mentioned... but for collectot to collector that is waaaaaay over the top....

[phild]

He can offer them on estand with good photos inside and out along with target prices. He can drop prices on those that don’t sell and get a good indication of the real market. IMO a major dealer or auction house that is known for Imperial cloth might get around 17,000 dollars for the lot but it may take a year or more on a site to sell each item to equal that total if it ever does. Realistically about 12-13K total should be expected for a turn around in a month or two.

[GdC26]

He can offer them on estand with good photos inside and out along with target prices. He can drop prices on those that don’t sell and get a good indication of the real market. IMO a major dealer or auction house that is known for Imperial cloth might get around 17,000 dollars for the lot but it may take a year or more on a site to sell each item to equal that total if it ever does. Realistically about 12-13K total should be expected for a turn around in a month or two.

That strikes me as optimistic.

[phild]

It may well be. On the other hand I feel very confident that many would pay $10,000 for those 6 “jackets” and the cartridge box with strap in a heartbeat with a line waiting. If I’m right on that an additional 20-30% (12-13 thousand total) is not crazy expectations to place each item individually. What I don’t know are the key details of each item which is critical to say much more. I know on the surface that the Hussar major is probably the top single item. The feldgrau Ulan and fuss art pieces have some questions in my mind that could be Ok for value or not so much, neither is what I call textbook but both are period pieces.
the pre war 3 items are more of a wildcard but as stated by an poster earlier they will not each bring the prices of the feldgrau I would think.

[harrison987]

Alright...well...I'll pass on them then. I need a quick flip, and he is valuing the top two jackets around $5000+ each.