After looking through this great source of information I have a question. Are some makers more sought after than others? Was there a quality difference? I assume some makers produced more than others. What about marked peices, are they worth more than unmarked? I guess a makers mark can be faked as easy as not putting a mark on at all. I am asking in general terms, I know books have been written on this subject. Say, is an unmarked Zimmerman worth more than a marked peice by another manufacturer? If you take condition out of the question. Just wondering. I want to say thanks for all the great advice I have received so far.
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I would say 'yes' to every question. There are some unmarked crosses that are worth more than a marked cross. I would say Deschler, Juncker and F. Zimmermann/Godet and some of the early unmarked crosses are but a few that fall into this scenario. As a whole, marked crosses are worth more than unmarked by the same maker if the condition is equal. There are fake marks for sure on crosses; That's what this forum is all about, discerning the fakes.Originally posted by renfield View Post
If it's the same Zimmermann, I also saw a very nice example on a website, unmarked. Take your time, a marked example will show in time. You usually see them marked. But it is a nice piece.
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"Take your time." That is great advice. As I am new to collecting TR I should take the advice of those who know more about the market than I do. Everyone here is so helpful to a novice collector. It is a refreshing change to the attitude some gun dealers have at gun shows. My main interest for the past 30 years. Never too old, or proud, to learn.Comment
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Did you ever pick up any nice K98 Mausers? or P-08's or P-38's or 7.65 Mauser pistols?
There's a very fine firearms forum here on WAF.
RobertComment
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My best German buy was a P 08 bfy 41 all matching including the two mags. with holster. I did not buy it from a dealer but a good friend. It is in amazing condition. It is the best historical firearm I own. I have bought and traded a number of 98K's, the one I have now is a missmatched shooter, but I like it. I need to pick up a good collector 98 soon,as the price is climbing all the time. I think that all W.W. 2 guns and feild gear is ,price wise, at the place American Civil War items were 25 years ago. The price was high, but you could still buy good quality items, and they were still in reach of the average collector. Now I do not think I could afford to start a good CW collection. So many reenactors and collectors have bought so much. One thing about this forum is that people from all over the world share their knowledge. I think that is very nice that people will help each other like this.Comment
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Those sound like wonderful pieces. I collect firearms too, but to use hunting and bench shooting. I own too many. My TR badges and crosses are almost forcing me to sell some firearms for safe space. I've been a member of the WAF for (6) years now, and can't say enough positive things about the members, every one of them. Some specialize in just one badge, and have become experts in their field with recent publications to support this. These books are a good building block to a collection. Whichever way you go - from uniforms, to daggers, to crosses, to documents, you name it, there are many helping hands to steer you right. Enjoy your membership. The e-stand is always full of quality items 24/7. I've added some very valuable pieces to my collection from the e-stand.
RobertComment
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I know what you mean about having to make room in the safe. I moved my Nagant rifles to a less secure gun "locker" to move in a nice Inland M1 carbine and a mint condition Lee enfield No.4. I have a small lock box for my few TR decorations but moved them into the safe. There is never enough room. Almost all of my shooting is target or plinking. I do have a few nice guns from most of the W.W.2 nations. I will indeed look at the firearm forums. More history. To me it is about owning a peice of true history. Years from now much of this stuff will only be seen behind glass. But my grandchildren will have a chance to own it. I hope they understand what the true meaning of it is. No matter what country it is from.Comment
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I just picked up a mint unfired 4-digit Mosin Nagant rifle with mint bayo. Also a friend gave me a Nagant pistol dated back in Peter the Great's reign, before the Soviet Union. It's also in unfired condition. It's a very unusual piece, as you may know. I'd like to mount both the Nagant pieces in a glass wall display with a Patriotic War 1st Class and a Stalingrad medal, and Red Star. History, I love it too. I've been reading Dietrich's book on the Knights Cross, and it has really helped me appreciate the historical aspect of the many pieces I've collected in the EK 'family tree' more. Some day I'll own a KC to hang around the collar of my Heer M36.
RobertComment
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