SS Officers Visor Cap on Estand

[R.Beck]

Thank you all for your input on this thread.
One thing that is curious to me - If this visor belonged to any of you, would you have had the sweatband replaced or just have left the interior bare?
For me, it was begging for a replacement sweatband, others of you may disagree.
But I believe the value of the visor would be worth far less unrestored.
Regards,
Steve

Steve, I would unequivocally had it replaced. It's a great cap mate, market is just a little weird lately. If it was mine I wouldn't let it go for less than 8

[juoneen]

I would have left it as is....so where is the band taken from the hat that was originally inside?
I kinda liked the actual wear from its age in the brim, and such....and although ben does a splendid job...its appeal to me now is a shadow of what it once was. I guess Ben gets paid only if folks let him do his thing...so for the few purists out there who do not subscribe to restorations....I would pass even at 4. Just had to speak for those who will agree with me, but might not voice their opinions because they do not want to be crucified with verbal martial arts for doing so. Just needed said, we all don't agree on the restoration issue regarding post restoration as opposed to original condition value.
As usual only you can decide what you want to have in your collection, and your decision is entirely your call. This may be the only one like it you even will score, so do what feels right to you...as prices will most certainly rise , unless there is a depression.

[BaselA]

Thank you all for your input on this thread.

One thing that is curious to me - If this visor belonged to any of you, would you have had the sweatband replaced or just have left the interior bare?

For me, it was begging for a replacement sweatband, others of you may disagree.

But I believe the value of the visor would be worth far less unrestored.

Regards,

Steve

Steve, as long as replacing the sweatband didn't cause any real damage to the cap, I would have done the same.

Note how different everyone's opinions are. One gentleman wouldn't pay you $4k while the other thinks it should bring $8k. Neither are wrong per se, and nobody should be shunned for their opinion. After all, value is subjective in this hobby. One thing is certain: you can't please everyone!

What you can do, is consider what an unaltered original typically brings at auction. That will serve as a benchmark. From there, the perceived size of the "deduction" for the restoration work will vary from buyer to buyer.

I would not hesitate to own this cap for the right price and I'm sure plenty share my sentiments.

[BenVK]

Why would anyone think that a cap gets damaged in the restoration process? If there was any danger of that happening, I would refuse to do it.

With Steve's cap, there was not even a crumb left of the original band so actually I did not "replace" anything. Why the original band was so completely missing, we will never know but one thing is for sure, it wasn't due to natural wear and tear or ageing.

[BenVK]

I guess Ben gets paid only if folks let him do his thing....

You make me sound like a hooker!

[viva_giulio]

Ben job is amazing but owner IMO can"t think to sell in full price . cap is restored and lost value. And much. IMO. Moreover times of 2000-2010 are finished no more item sold in few hours but weeks moreover if prices are out of the market as I see many times.

[wolfslair]

Ben job is amazing but owner IMO can"t think to sell in full price . cap is restored and lost value. And much. IMO. Moreover times of 2000-2010 are finished no more item sold in few hours but weeks moreover if prices are out of the market as I see many times.

So a Harley Davidson 1939 model motor bike with a missing original front tyre is being offerd for sale @ say $1000 - is not worth as much as the SAME Harley Davidson with a restored front tyre from the SAME era is worth??
Think about it..

[viva_giulio]

I do not have problems with restoring but here I stunning cap priced as a dealer and with a full sweat and restoring. If I buy an m43 cap with hnd insigna I expect to spend less than macjine sewn
stiched. Think about it too

[Mark Gibson]

Value aside, I'm with you Steve for restoring the sweatband. Many collectors think it is now tarnished but in my eyes you have merely given this incredible looking cap a breath of life and brought it back to it's original state. You have collectors saying that they wouldn't pay much because the sweatband has been restored but I'm certain that you would get exactly the same if you had left it without a sweatband.
I commend Ben for his great work.

Best of luck with your sale.

Mark

[jacquesf]

So a Harley Davidson 1939 model motor bike with a missing original front tyre is being offerd for sale @ say $1000 - is not worth as much as the SAME Harley Davidson with a restored front tyre from the SAME era is worth??
Think about it..

Steve , your argument is flawed in relation to your visor. Your asking price for your restored visor is in line or higher then some very nice untouched originals without defects out there. I would not mind owning your hat, but I would not pay close to that price for a restored visor.J

[nonameno]

Hi Steve,
I will add my two cents to the discussion. For my personal collection, I do not keep restored items. Having said that, a visor without the sweatband is worth much less than one with a restored sweatband, in my opinion. So, I too would have had it restored, especially since you had someone like Ben do such a professional job! So, for me, its market value is somewhere in between un-restored and an original condition, similar condition example.
No matter what, it is one of the nicest examples I have seen.
Thank you,
Curtiss

[viva_giulio]

However I am sure it will be sold soon cause it is stunning. You will receive the right offer soon. Ceongrats anyway to have in your collection.

[billmunny]

gorgeous

This is a gorgeous cap, and Ben's masterful work has repaired the visor as it should be!

Not for the purist perhaps, but love it!

[N.C. Wyeth]

Make yourself happy . . .

You have collectors saying that they wouldn't pay much because the sweatband has been restored but I'm certain that you would get exactly the same if you had left it without a sweatband.

You have a very beautiful specimen [I am drooling ] . . . and something with about as much "desirability" as there will ever be for most TR military collectors . . . it is certainly, ICONIC.

"Bottom Line" here: Don't let anyone talk you out of selling it for anything else than that which you won't regret.

PS - If I had the cash, I would be pleased to offer you a price you would be happy with. That is the trouble with all of this stuff - very few of us have the money . . . and often, the very few that do, already have enough "toys" to play with. Hang in there - time is your best friend . . . and you will eventually find that correct "fit", for both you and your customer. Remember - be certain to make a deal that you will never regret!

[M B CHISHOLM]

Great visor with a fine saddle shape & material. I would have done the exact same thing had it been in my possession. As what was said previously, there are those that would/will say "I'm not paying that because it is lacking a band" & of course "I'm not paying that because it now has a band".. So damned if you do, and damned if you don't.. nonetheless, most of us would be proud to have this as a part of the collection. Someone will snap it up. As far as price? I'm out on that one.

Good luck to you, I know it will work out.