How was the SoS this year?

[rfleming32]

Anyone go to the SoS? How was the pickings, prices, attendance, etc.? Did the economy impact it in any way? I thought that Flak 88 would be showing off more flak badges by now but he probably has them all by now anyway. Usually there is some pretty fast feedback. If you have anything to show or share that would be great.
Richard

[Skipper Greenwade]

Rich,

Friday's gate was huge! Prices didn't reflect the current economic condition and there seemed to ba lot of nice badges, etc. there. Some dealers were willing to haggle and more than one had signs advertising 10% - 15% off their wares. I sold a lot and bought a Luftwaffe overseas hat, a pair of Luftwaffe goggles, and a Korean War-era US Distinguished Service Medal.

Missed seeing you there - we had a couple of decent meals and way more than a few stiff drinks. Catch you at the MAX?!?

Best,
Skip

[Marc Garlasco]

It was slow for me, but I am a niche guy. I got one SUPERB Luft Flak, one army and one army para badge. For me the problems were:
1) saw a lot of last years crap
2) the great stuff is outrageously priced. One guy had mint cased flak badges for almost $2k Don't ask what the pilots were...
3) the mediocre stuff - and that was most of it - was out but a lot of people were so deer-in-the-headlights over the economy they just didn't know if they should deal or stand pat
4) One idiot had a host of fakes with an original Flak case in there. Guess which item was NOT for sale...
5) I didn't win the lottery this year AGAIN! That would solve all these problems.

REGARDLESS of all this nonsense it is the best show you can go to.

IF YOU KNOW YOUR STUFF YOU WILL BEAT THE BIG GUYS. They don't really walk around (excpet Weitze, and he walks fast - you gotta turn EVERYTHING over) I got an army para because most people don't know them or are too scared they are making a mistake. Knowledge is power!

[Darrell]

I'm amazed at the lack of pictures taken. WTF? Everyone went without a camera this year or what? Unless I'm not looking for the SOS threads

[Scott C.]

There are a bunch of general SOS photos in the Association area. I was on a budget (as usual), but did find a nice droop-tail summer tunic eagle Saturday afternoon at a relatively good price.

[Mike H]

...

Darn, Scott ... you did well, my friend. Nice eagle.

It was a great show.

Mike

[fdodge]

REGARDLESS of all this nonsense it is the best show you can go to.

Marc is totally right. I did not make the show this year, but it sounds much like last year's show. If you are knowledgable in your area of collecting, you will do just fine. All shows, local and national, have the same traps for uneducated collectors. The SOS is the best pool to get wet in. There is something for everybody and it's a good forum to get a feel of the hobby's pulse on a personal level.

[mmiller]

Marc,

OK. I'll ask .... where are the fronts and assends of all three? Glad you found some treasures.

There are more photos in the 'Shows' Forum. As per expected, Jason's cases are exquisite looking.


Here's the link:

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=342461


Below photos courtesy of Stephen Cassidy. (Thanks for taking!)

[mmiller]

Marc,

Disregard the image posting I requested. I just found this thread:

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=343007

Nice stuff. Very.

Mark

[George L]

I picked up a couple loose luft cases, a choice thin Assmann pilot there, and a crispy SC with swords, but I thought the selection was better at the last Max show, for once. This SOS had lots of repops, and low end stuff (common pieces, zinc'rs, etc). Lots of pretend buyers were there, but not many stepped up and pulled the trigger.

I was expecting to see nicer items pulled out from deep freeze due to the economic woes, but alas, the squirrles left the horded items at home! For example, outside of the big dealers, there was only one Juncker marked J1 PB at the show I found, and it had been repaired. Same was true with a Juncker marked J2 PB there with repairs, too. You'd think with 1600 tables, there'd be more???? Oh well, as the Cubs fans say, there's always next year!

[mmiller]

George,

How about showing that Assmann Pilot. I always like to see the early stuff. Does your 'Pilot' have a cutout between the legs, or is it solid?

Regards,
Mark

[George L]

Hey Mark, no cutout between the legs on this one; it's actually a thin version of the 2nd pattern PB. Will photo it this coming weekend!

[Joe D]

George,

How about showing that Assmann Pilot. I always like to see the early stuff. Does your 'Pilot' have a cutout between the legs, or is it solid?

Regards,
Mark

There was a nice early Assman P/O with the cutout at the show.

[George L]

Sos1

As mentioned earlier, here's the grouping of stuff I picked up at the SOS.

[George L]

Sos 2

Thin Assmann PB, but a 2nd type.