amateur collector needs help..

[lexiconmori]

hello,

I am Alco from the Netherlands(europe) and I am starting collector of german helmets.
so far I have 4 relics(in fair condition though); m18:fleamarket $40,-, m40:military market $30,-, and 2 m42's(together for $150,-) with chicken wire camo one of these still has the innerworks partialy left.
besides these I have finally bought one decent looking m42 with let's say 95% remnants of the paint and original innerworks, no decals.
I can understand that the relics mean almost nothing to experienced collectors as you all are, but they have a certain value to me (at least I know that in the condition they are they are real, and they have a certain attraction to me).
here is the problem;
I bought the last mentioned m42 for $300,-(military dealer near a town next to me), I have been browsing the internet and I get the slight impression that I paid to much for this helmet, did I?
Soon I am going to buy a good looking m40 for $250,- but I have the feeling I am paying to much again.
it's not that I am not willing to pay because I do realise this is an expensive hobby indeed, but I'd rather use the surplus money that I paid to much for standard whermacht helmets with no decals for let's say a decent looking helmet with one decal (or two is desireable as well, but I know these are very expensive).
so who can help me out a little, am I indeed paying too much or am I doing ok?, if not could someone please inform me on decent dealers in europe ( because if I buy one in the US it'll still be very expensive with the shipping costs).
hope someone who is out there is willing to help this starting collector.
your's sincerly,


Alco de Groot
Lexiconmori@hotmail.com

[JaimeH]

$250 for a m40 with good liner maybe a chin strap is about right.

[Ty Smith]

I think you are doing ok, Those prices are correct for M-40s and M-42s without decals. - Prices go up from there for decaled helmets. - Ty

[Perry Floyd]

Minty/Excellant+ M42 no decal helmets are fetching $400-$425...Above average complete one about $300-$325
A beater for about $190
These are average dealer prices....sometimes you'll find a collector asking alittle less..

[lexiconmori]

thank you people for clearing this up, now I can buy helmets from my dealers with confidence, thank you!
I'd like to know though what the following helmets should cost:
-single decal wehrmacht
-single decal luftwaffe
-single decal kriegsmarine
-double decal wehrmacht
-double decal luftwaffe
the reason I ask is because I am offered some of these helmets quitte soon and I would like to know what is an ok price, they are always reasonable mint, so let's say the helmets are in reasonable condition and the decals are still reasonably present(not scratched or heavily damaged) and the liner is present as well;what would be fair prices for these helmets then?

please understand I am not a dealer or whatsoever I am just a starting collector (31) who is trying to survive in the world of militaria witth all the moneyhungry vultures around called dealers and graverobbers;I know there are some good dealers but unfortunately there are tons of frauds with their fake helmets (sometimes looking awesomely authentic) from tsjechie, poland and also selling fake ones from spain and portugal.
please reply and oncemore thanks for the absolute valuable information!

your's sincerly,


Alco de Groot

[Ty Smith]

For reasonable helmets in good conditon with no doubt of them being original I would expect to pay the following. This is dealer prices.

single decal wehrmacht $400 to $550
single decal luftwaffe $350 to $450
single decal kriegsmarine $700 to $850
double decal wehrmacht $ 1800 to $2200
double decal luftwaffe $700 to $1000 early helmets are worth more.

We'll see what the others say, but I would call this the average. Paratrooper helmets and SS are way up there.

Good Luck,
Ty

[lexiconmori]

thanks, yes I know FSJ-helmets and SS-helmets are the true treasures and most expensive around (could buy myself a great car from that money), I wanted to collect FSJ-helmets since I collect modelkits and books and videomaterial from the Famous FSJ for quitte a while, but I got dead scared due to the prices for these awesome helmets but also the amount of fakes around, ofcourse I would love to have an SS helmet but in due time maybe whenever I can spare the money...perhaps with tons of luck I'll encounter one of those must have helmets one of these years, but eh collecting isn't something done in a day or two that's why I started this to take my time and study this wonderfull fascinating hobby, I reckon I'll have a nice collection five years from now, I am even very proud of what I have today

[lexiconmori]

as with all starting collectors I grow very fast impatient, I hoped there would be more reactions to this topic; especially when I see how much this post has been viewed...once again I am for surely dissapointed by the community of the militaria-collecting community......will some never learn?....; to help eachother really takes away a lot of weight and burden in your collecting quest!..(you all know and should realise this, yet you do hardly respond, why?!..).........


disapointed newbee collector

[Perry Floyd]

No need to get depressed, there are helpfull thread contained throughout this forum. If you have the time please read through them. If you have a helmet you have a question on or not sure on feel free to post it. Welcome to the forum...

Perry

[lexiconmori]

thanks Perry,

I am reading a lot on this forum as much as I can and it is the best forum I've ever encountered and I am proud that I am being a small part of it, it's just that I like to be a part of this community and enjoy learning to know new people and fellow-collectors that's all