what got you started

[Tom C.]

theres only a small dedicated few who collect 57ers so the question is why did you decide to collect 57s... and how did you first learn about them??

best regards
tom

[luftkrieg]

Good question Tom! I first saw 57ers on eBay but learned what I know about them right here.

At the time I was collecting medal bars and got a number of great 57er medal bars. Like a fool I sold them off with most of my other medal bars. I then became a full time ribbon bar collector and the bug for 57ers kicked in there too!

Best
Pierce

[Matthieu]

Personally, I spotted a 1957 Knights Cross on WAF e-stand and was sold immediately .
Since then, I gradually learned more about them, as well as appreciating the craftsmanship and history behind the piece.

It has resulted in my current DK & KC collection .

[Tom B]

Started with my first purchase - 1973

My interest stated in 1973 with my purchase of my 57 RK KvK. I was impressed with the quality and the fact it was 800 marked. I picked up a few more pieces in the 80's & 90's. With my Rk w/Oak's from the vet sealed the deal for me ! Tom

[Mike Yokum]

Great idea Tom!

I started off collecting TR stuff and my wife ALWAYS hated the swastika pieces.

An unexpected job loss forced me to sell the TR collection I had and when I was able to begin collecting again, I decided to keep the peace and got into 57er's. I have ZERO regrets for it!

[xmember]

Hi Tom,

I started due to the fact that I couldn't afford a german cross at $2,500. I noticed them for sale on another forum by Rudiger and purchased my first one from him and that won me over.

Regards
Rudy

[Patrick08/15]

Well, I start to collect General Assault Badges.At this time Rüdiger sells a 57er GAB and I think "that is something for my collection". Then I see the next ones on a show and think "Why not !? ". And so it starts. Sinces 3 years I got the virus

[Seewolf]

Waaaah, seems i am guilty.....Rüdiger sold here and there and infected the guys

Ha ha...not my fault alone

So how i came to collect 57ers? Well, a story that is not short

Many many moons away i began to collect TR pieces, every i could get. I was a happy little collector
Then my divorced wife heard that these pieces have a worthy and as she always tried to get more money from me she ask her lawyer. So i too had to take a lawyer to fight against my ex. We won but i still had to sell my collection to pay my lawyer....so she won a little bit as my collection was gone

After that i had no fun anymore and did nothing. Some day i stumbled at ebay over a 57er destroyer badge and thought "Hey, looks good - only the small eagle missing, what´s that?? " and i began to read about 57ers. I bid on that destroyer and won the auction ...about 16€
As i too had less money because of paying child support (what i still do) i decided to collect the 57ers because they were really payable for me and after i noticed that the soldiers behind had the same history as on their wartime items i was infected.

Positive effect for a german guy is that i collect political correct. I could buy all over the world without having any trouble with the customs...no swaz.

Of course, as KM nut, i have some KM TR pieces like a parade jacket, Tellermütze and a few awards. But about 85% of my collection is 57er and early BW related.

In the early days we normally paid 25€-30€ or a very early combat award....a tunic with ribbon bar was to get for 20€ and ribbon bars alone for the same money...beginning at 10€

When we have visitors here, i don´t have to hide my collection...only my Dreike display with the SS runes has to go to the closet till the visitors are gone

[Patrick08/15]

Waaaah, seems i am guilty.....Rüdiger sold here and there and infected the guys

I´m not angry about that

[Tom C.]

its really interesting seeing how you all got started thanks everyone

best regards
tom

[Seewolf]

its really interesting seeing how you all got started thanks everyone

best regards
tom

You´re welcome, brother

What about you? Think it´s your turn to tell a story about that

[Tom C.]

You´re welcome, brother

What about you? Think it´s your turn to tell a story about that

alright brother
once apon a time i collected guns but because of crazy prices they got too expensiveso i started collecting jackets i continued with those for around 3-4 years and purelly by accident found out about full size 57ers i knew about ribbon bars and minitures as they came with jackets but full size and so the bug bit and i went after them finally finding my way to this little gang and have now got a modest collection of 15 57ers (compared to the 2x cupboards full of jackets)

[Nigel N]

Great thread1 I missed this one!!!
Like a lot of the guys, i started by collecting Third Reich awards, but the high prices and ever growing number of fakes, was really spoiling the hobby for me!!
I thought about just collecting EK's, and did make start with both Third Reich and Imperial, then i saw a nice looking 57er EK1, and bought it......
The prices were good, with only a few makers, it was much easier to really get to know good from bad, and so my 57 collection started!
Slowly, i sold off most of my Third Reich and Imperial pieces, and just bought 57ers!!
As you all know, EK's are my favorites, but i also collect 57 medalbars, and i've been getting into KVK's recently too, as there are'nt too many EK variants coming up for sale that i have'nt already got!!
So, its 57ers all the way for me, and i can't see me changing again!!!!
-Nigelanim_19.gif

[Rommel1933]

I only have one 57... A luftschultz.. However, I am trying to learn the 57's more.

Thank you,
Scott

[Mike Yokum]

I only have one 57... A luftschultz.. However, I am trying to learn the 57's more.

Thank you,
Scott

Welcome Scott! It's nice to see you posting here.

If there is anything at all I can do to help you in your 57er quest, don't hesitate to ask.