"Alteste Berliner"--A Primer

[stonemint]

I will be interested in seeing what it sells for.

Chris, why are the staples there in the front? Are those integral to the construction of these visors. I have seen Altestes without them.

John

John, the staples are for attaching the bottom of the peak stiffener.
They are common to most (but not all) Altestes--especially the "SS General" series.

[militarymania]

Another Aleste Visor

here is one at auction

[militarymania]

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[militarymania]

last

[mrec27777]

DOES ANYONE possibly know how many ALTESTE visors were produced ?...and what would thier value be in todays market? EC

[stonemint]

Too many.

For value, wait and see:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/331931434676...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[JasonZ]

Thank you gentlemen for all of the good info in this thread... I've learned a lot about Alteste visors today.

[Lt Visser]

Why would you fake a cap in the 50's and 60's if you can find them almost everywhere? How's there money to be made in that?

[enorepap]

Hallo Lt Visser

Many of them were high-end visors or desirable waffenfarben. I don't think that also in US or BRD a huge amount of SS Generalen were raining like hail also during that early post-war decades.

Marcello

[mrec27777]

Hallo Lt Visser

Many of them were high-end visors or desirable waffenfarben. I don't think that also in US or BRD a huge amount of SS Generalen were raining like hail also during that early post-war decades.

Marcello

SO these early SS GENERALS visor should comand a high price?.. EC

[enorepap]

Hallo mrec

Your question is cryptic. As I understand it, you ask me if, in my judgment, a high-end Alteste visor commands a higher price than another fake cap? I answer that I am not a salesman, nor a collector of reproductions and so I have no way to answer you. I can add that if they are sold as originals, obviously it is a fraud and therefore, in my opinion, they have no value. Then there is an intermediate category of not original caps with added original badges, the latter of which have a value in themselves as well as detached pieces. Finally, if they are sold as copies the price depends on their quality. I personally do not know people who collect copies with consciousness and will, only someone who sometimes was a victim of the false's market myself including, but I believe that around the world there are surely quite a number of these people. So, in this sense, your question should be addressed to them. If I have interpreted wrong your intervention, I beg you to reformulate it in a more clear and intelligible way to me.

Best regards

[Paris Gun]

Actually, I DO collect Alteste Reproduction Visors; IMO, other than Counterfeits &/or Frankies, they are simply the very best repros! In fact, I usually pay very generous prices for them, even above FMV if it is something I need or don't have & especially if they are large-sized on account of my mannequin's requirements AND/OR to also protect resale opportunities to 'stitch-Nazi' Reenactors who want/ demand the very best.

Why do I pay (usually more than a NEW Janke) for a Fake/ Repro? Well, I was once burned by one when I first began collecting, but I held onto it for sentimental reasons. When I became an avid WW2 HEADGEAR COLLECTOR (helmets/ cloth hats), I spent thousands upon thousands for originals that never saw the light of day, and few have seen the light since, as they remain locked-up in "secret storage" but out of my, my friends', &/or the public's view. Well, what the hell is the point, beyond investment, if you don't display your 'prizes'?

When I also began collecting Confederate Militaria, and mind you that an original Lt. Frock can fetch $45K, a kepi $25-65K, and some swords in the upwards of $20-50K, I did not have the funds to collect both! But despite pursuing another collecting field altogether, I never really lost my appreciation and appeal of German Headgear.

So, I began to buy Alteste visors to satisfy "my compulsion" & for a safe, inexpensive display piece; likewise, I sought out infamous CS counterfeited swords produced by Joe Walters/ House of Swords & Militaria for the same reason, especially ever since a dip**** client grabbed an original Confederate sword off my law office wall and broke the blade in two!!!

And so, for me I collected Alteste visors (as well as other Top-Notch Reproduction/ Counterfeit WW2 German Headgear) initially to continue my 'first passion' & thus to save money to fund my "obsession" (CS swords/ Militaria). Then such became my 'low cost/ low risk' display preference that actually opened many-many doors to hidden gems that were originals.

Overtime though, I studied such and began to gain an invaluable education of identifying methods, practices, and trends in reproductions hitting the market (& offered as originals); this education has provided more dividends than I ever imagined!

And so, to this very day, I actively seek/ purchase Alteste Visors, but also Top-Notch Repro &/or Counterfeits for "display/ fillers", to focus funds upon my primary interest in CS Militaria, AND to protect "newbies" from becoming fraud victims because I am such a benevolent S.O.B.!

[SgtB]

Hallo mrec

Your question is cryptic. As I understand it, you ask me if, in my judgment, a high-end Alteste visor commands a higher price than another fake cap? I answer that I am not a salesman, nor a collector of reproductions and so I have no way to answer you. I can add that if they are sold as originals, obviously it is a fraud and therefore, in my opinion, they have no value. Then there is an intermediate category of not original caps with added original badges, the latter of which have a value in themselves as well as detached pieces. Finally, if they are sold as copies the price depends on their quality. I personally do not know people who collect copies with consciousness and will, only someone who sometimes was a victim of the false's market myself including, but I believe that around the world there are surely quite a number of these people. So, in this sense, your question should be addressed to them. If I have interpreted wrong your intervention, I beg you to reformulate it in a more clear and intelligible way to me.Best regards

Words of wisdom. Nicely stated!

[enorepap]

Hallo Sgt

My heartfelt thanks to you and all the other friends

[Paris Gun]

Words of wisdom. Nicely stated!

Amen!

Respectfully,

1 of "these people"!