Untouched Böker SS or something else?

[phild]

I have though: why the need to tinker with real items and make Frankensteins? what purpose does it serve?
Eric

I regret that you had the experience, but glad that you found a satisfactory recourse.

To your question above, I offer the following not as an excuse for the practice, but perhaps a partial answer:

The purpose that enhancements and "corrections" serve in at least some folks eyes (not mine) is to make the item more textbook and or more minty......both very sought after states these days and very much paid for. 30-40 years ago this was all very different....(but some of this type of thing still went on) but as the rules of what has to be right and what can not be right (original) have been accepted and the fine points of condition demands extreme premiums ...these type of things will increase.

[sturmbrigade]

amusingly I remember Houston being one of the loudest agitators on GDC when Manfred Vogel was acussed of something similar (although unlike this case not proven). Karma's a biatch, isnt it Houston?

[Eric Von Rader]

Let me tell you a story about ole Houston.

Several years ago I bought a TENO Leaders dagger from him. I did a partial trade on a K98 with a SS NCO knot that was NM plus some cash. After I get home I noticed it smelled funny "like fresh bluing", so I took it outside and compared it to my other example. I was shocked! FRESHLY RE-BLUED! I immediately called Houston Coates explaining I was not happy about the dagger being reblued and wanted my K98 Bayonet back, He grumbled, told him I would be back down the next day around 11am. I drove back to his home the very next day, he would not answer the door. Stood there 35min to no avail, his car was there but no response. So I stuck a business card in his mail box, and drove home. Called him again, said I was never there. Ya right! Came back the following day, handed the dagger back to him, wanted him to compare it to his example he refused. Then I asked where was my bayonet, he said “I sold it” WHAT!!!!!!! Handed me some cash and rudely asked me to leave. (I am 99.99% sure he still had the K98 but can't prove it)

Well the story does not end there, he tried to sell this exact dagger on Empire Auctions as “pristine” however it did not sell. He is a “adviser” for Empire Auctions. Talk about the fox guarding the hen house.! Then he almost pawned it off on 2 major dealers at the MAX show, both told him it was no good.

He also sold me a Japanese Navy sword that was “mint” and untouched that had a re-tipped blade, when I confronted him about it (after showing it to 8 collectors all said it was messed with) he stated “they are full of SH*t. and turned away. He would not even look at it!

I was a VERY new collector, and took advantage of my lack of knowledge. I almost got out of the hobby because of this and it really saddens me, even more disturbing I'm not alone. It still upsets me to this very day, let the light be shined. Every dealer makes mistakes, most of them are truly honest, however this was not.

As Paul Harvy would say “and now you know the rest of the story…good day!”

[Eric Von Rader]

2

[Eric Von Rader]

3

[Robert H]

why would someone re blue an original scabbard on a rare TENO Off.?

[patrice]

why would someone re blue an original scabbard on a rare TENO Off.?

In order to make more money, that's what we call greed.

[The Red Baron]

I don't understand why Houston is "supposed to be one of the good guys" if he is known to be reworking and reselling?!?!?!?!??! I don't understand how he got a good reputation or how he has kept it! Is there nothing that can be done with this regarding his MAX status or something just to make me feel better hahaha

[Sgt. Steiner]

How sad. Isn't Coates supposed to be some ex-police officer from Ohio?

[addyfie]

I have heard this is only the tip of the iceberg regarding this guy......... Egg whites and a bag spring to mind!!! IMO he keeps his good reputation because he is one of the protected ones.
We will see how long it lasts, Im glad this has been made public......
Ex Cheif of police haha what a joke, I would be willing to bet he was as bent in his old job as he is in this hobby.
You cant teach an old dog new tricks LOL

[tanker]

Has anybody confronted Coates? I see on GDC, he is missing also?? Ron

[Frogprince]

Because I’ve had some disagreements with him in the past, I’ve stayed out of this discussion until now. Because you never know if someone is going to make an accusation of prejudice, a hidden agenda, etc. etc. Why am I not surprised myself? I heard this many years ago from a Charter Member who became extremely disgusted with some of what was going on. Because it’s not just him who fools around with period items, claiming that items are “original”, instead of “original period parts”. And it is all about money. FP

[cogwheel]

Since someone in posting #34 mentioned my name I thought I wanted to clarify the situation. Houston never specified the problems he had with me but I always emphasized the position that restoration has a place in collecting and I made no secret of that. I realize that the subject of restoration has always been a source of heated discussions and I never pulled any punches about my points of view. During the last 28 years I have restored anywhere around 1200 to 1500 swords and daggers as well as a good number of accutrements for collector friends as well as members from GDC and *** free of charge. Thus, whatever Houston had accused me of may perhaps be true, but it wasn't because of greed on my part.

[tanker]

I see Houston responded (certainly did not address the issues!) on GDC. In my opinion, all I gather fromhe psot is, Because I have given free info out, I am allowed to do what ever I want! As though we are to bow to him for free info. Ron


"From GDC post"
Sorry, but I am not going to get into a water contest with any "big time" collectors who just love to bash dealers with their lies using stolen, unauthorized and altered photos and anything else they can conjure up with their room full of computers.They just love to have their names up in print. Believe me there are plenty of counter charges I could make against these babies but I just don't have time to provide the entertainment. I have helped many of you in the past also saving many of you thousands of dollars with my FREE collector's guide. Who else has provided such a thing? Please keep that in mind while reading this. Thanks, and thanks for all who have written supporting posts. That's all I have to say.
_________________________
MAX & OVMS Life Member, MAX Bd. of Experts. GDC Platinum Dealer. Collector since 1955.

[Jon Fish]

What free collectors guide!? Never seen one?