"Minty" SS D/D M35

[Schwerpunkt]

In a way it all comes down to knowing what you buy. Which for most of us is difficult when it concerns once in a lifetime high end pieces.

In that respect we have to cast our lot in with a dealer.

If you look at dealer sites I'd say almost 9/10 TR dealers have suspicious wares.

There is crap sold daily on these sites which in value surpasses this helmet's value probably by tenfold.

[InfanterieSammler]

...

[Mike Osbourne]

I have to say that Ken N. has always impressed me as an honest individual. He has advised me on several issues in the past privately and never tried to take advantage of me for monetary gain. I simply can't believe the allegations regardless of Kondor's post. Something is missing in this story........

[pfschgo]

Lets see...prominent dealer send s images of an obvious fake to others to sell?
Don't you guys think that would be a very stupid move? Especially since news moves like wildfire thru the collector base? Forgive me, but I don't percive Ken as stupid...this whole thing just does not ring true. This is like any one of a number of serious sellers sending out a crap helmet, only to be busted.
The perceived profit could not be worth the loss...just does not compute.
Just my thoughts,
Paul

[Robert H]

A bad finger pointing from people from the 3rd or 4rd party, also with a very bad personal attack. Not good for my point of view

[RoyA]

Personally, I give Ken the benefit of the doubt.

I've been holding back on this one, but frankly, Ken would have to be an idiot to pull off such a scam, which he isn't. One cannot buy reputation in this business at any cost.
R

[Charlie_Vaughn]

I'm not certain what to think about all this - I don't know Ken N., but if John Donovan has evidence that another prominant dealer was indeed offered this helmet at $8500 under the table, and that was confirmed twice, then why are we in fact debating this issue?

Also - I have to confess that the M40 DD police helmet was offered to me not so long ago by the person who originally had it - he got my email address from another contact in this hobby. He also offered me the helmet WITHOUT a fully replace liner band and its the same image I recieved that was posted on this thread. He was not a collector and he had no way of getting a liner band either.

We know that Ken has liner bands for sale and has connections - so if he sold the helmet on his site with a liner then my guess is Ken replaced the liner. I can only go on what I know.

If find it hard to believe that Ken, in his own words, "got fooled" by rebent helmet rivets - that's almost insane given his experience with these helmets.

So - I guess to each his own, but I do question what is going on here.

I have known leading vendors with great expertise to sell things under the table despite the fact that they have their own suspicions about the item.

Ken's story about the photos getting sent to him doesn't make sense either, because the photos shown are in fact taken by him.

In either case, the question is - would Ken have sold this if someone wanted to pay him $8500 despite his reservations...??? Humm.

Its funny how these forums seek the truth but in the end just want to protect their own regardless of anything presented.

In any case, I present this just as my opinion not knowing any of the players but simply reading these posts. Just because a dealer is respected and gives a good deal to someone doesn't mean he can't at times make a mistake, or in some cases actually choose to do a shady deal. Just my two cents.-C

[MARK SAXBY]

This is just about right for the hobby/forum...A 'high profile' dealer gets caught selling a fake and everyone is still singing his praises, looking for excuses, etc.

Absolutely right. Also, notice how the 'Inner Circle' members always remain silent in such cases.

[Perry Floyd]

Absolutely right. Also, notice how the 'Inner Circle' members always remain silent in such cases.

Who are you refering too and what could "the inner circle" add?

[prussian.guard]

this isnt the first time photos have been used
http://daggers.infopop.cc/eve/forums...5/m/6740052914
i think the inner circle may be the small group of buddies who talk and meet often.
it does happen on sites like this,if your not in the club dont bother

[Mr. Blades]

What we have to remember is that reputations can be ruined very easy on a public setting as this. I've never seen this lid nor can I comment on its originality as SS lids are not my field of collecting. How can we go from a post offering a questionable SS lid for sale to a post about a "replaced" liner police helmet in an instance is bewildering to me!
However, I WILL add I've known Ken for a number of years and he's always been helpful to me. I can site a number of examples that would take pages here. When none of the other "big guys" in this hobby would answer my questions Ken has always done so. He's saved me a lot of grief in the past with no thought of ever asking any remuneration for his efforts. I've sat at his table and had dinner with his family. It's amazing how many times he's stopped to take phonecalls when I've been at his house just to answer questions. I, personally, will give Ken the benefit of the dought.
For those who believe him no explaination is necessary. For those that don't no explaination will suffice!

[william r match]

Erich,

I believe that your opening gambit prejudiced any independent critique on this piece; which I'm sure was not your intent. It set the scene for what followed.

I doubt, few who have contributed, own, or have hands on experience of DD M35 WSS pieces. Please do not misconstrue this as a negative, but an observation on the severe lack of critique on the helmet presented.


It is for each collector to arm themselves with specific subject knowledge in affecting any purchase. Everything outside this expertise, although associated, is ancillary.

Chat of an 'inner circle' is coincidentally, a cyclical farse that reappears on occassions such as this.

Regarding the M35, I am thankful to Erich for its presentation, although at this juncture, what worth comment!

Billy

[Erich Wahl]

I believe that your opening gambit prejudiced any independent critique on this piece; which I'm sure was not your intent. It set the scene for what followed.

Billy,

You are correct. I started this thread off on the wrong foot.

In retrospect, this was a futile endeavor. This situation boils down to one man's word against another's without something in writing, recorded conversations, witnesses or a confession to provide a conclusive outcome.

The positive aspects of this thread include demonstrating to the helmet community the careful attention that must be paid to the current breed of high-end fakes and the ability to surreptitiously replace a liner.

I will certainly be more discrete and circumspect in the future with regard to this hobby.

Cheers,
Erich

[MARK SAXBY]

Speaking in general, and not on this particular case :- When someone on Ebay trys to sell a fake helmet for a couple of hundred dollars, everyone starts screaming lawsuits etc and are totally disgusted. When a well known dealer does the same and is making an absolute fortune, people do their level best to find excuses and justify it.

[DeeHoop]

I read that GDC link in here