Helmet pricing...On the increase?

[Rich G]

I check out a few good helmet dealer websites, usually once a week, not only to see what's available but to check on the pricing. Not that much seems to have changed price wise but I have noticed that a few dealers have dramatically increased prices on M42 SD luft's. Seems a number of dealers now have these listed at $600 - $700! Only a few months ago these were around the $450 - $500 mark! I see M42 SD Heer's are also climbing but these seem more gradual as opposed to an 'over-night hike'!

What has affected the pricing of the humble M42 SD Luft so dramatically? It's not as if they are rare. I'd say it's one of the most common decaled helmets available to the collector.

Any thoughts?

Rich

[Edelweiss]

Rich, on my side, I noticed that it's the (very) nice WH DD M-35s who have been pulled on the upper step by the dealers...
Well, german helmets (and helmets in general) have never been "on the decrease" : the most prestigious helmets as well as the most humble lids ; not in the same proportions of course, I admit. So, it seems that the for the little LW M42s, the glory day is coming...
And by the way, now that you tell me, I'd say that I didn't saw tons of very nice ones of this kind...

[Rich G]

Chris, interesting how you see it differently. Maybe because a really nice M35 DD is out of my price league, I haven't really been watching their prices so closely and had failed to notice their rise.

You don't think the humble M42 SD Luft is that common or you mean only the really nice one's are hitting these higher prices?

Where do you see the trend going? Hopefully not downwards, that's for sure!

Rich

[Edelweiss]

The point is that I've always - since the very beginning - kept an eye on the very nice WH DDs. At the beginning because I wanted one, now because I want to verify I was right to jump the gate... And it costed me more than money : the paraglider I planned to get this autumn stands now under the form of a round apple-green metal thing on a shelf...

I remember very well that I too used to say : "This one is for a mad man : $400 in a helmet ? Yes it's a nice WH DD, but do you realize how unsane is this amount ? Bah, I'll find one at a normal price one of these days"...
And no cheap nice DD coming by ; and it was the same reaction through the years, only the price was changing : $1,100 (4 years back), $1,500 (last year), how much today ?
But this case is specific, because each and every helmet collector wants a killer WH DD M-35 ; if it's not the case, it's because he already has one... or will wait some more years to spend more money on it. I bought mine only a few months back and I know I can already make at least $150-200 on it on an eventual resale (a thing I don't intend to do).
It won't be the case on very common lids, the proportions are different : you'll never make an Aston-Martin from a Beetle, everybody will agree. But afterall, a very nice Beetle in its original state is becoming rare, so when one pops out, it deserves a fair price ; and it will sell, as everybody can't afford an Aston, or don't plan to put that much money in a car to go to the nearest pub to have a beer in an oldie...

About where the trend will go IMO ? Well, I think that watching the prices of nice original WH ND 42s in the months (years) to come will give a part of the answer...

Bloody sh1t, only 2 flys under this jewel !!! Asta la vista, the flying hog...

[Ty Smith]

I agree with Chris,. I think besides SS helmets, Double decal Heers and KMs are the ones that have increased the most in value. You see where Bill Shea sells nice apple green DD M-35s for $2500 +. Who would ever think a KM DD would be $4000 or double decal SS for $6000 +.
I think as the value goes up people will be start looking more at the usual helmets SD M40s and M42s. Nice M40s and 42s go for $600 +. Dealer prices more. The demand for these helmets are increasing quick.

As for a trend, I think prices and demand will continue to rise. The hobby is getting more and more popular. It is economics 101. Supply is low because Hogs like chris, Demand is high = Price goes up

[Edelweiss]

I've also been told that the demand on WSS M.35 DDs is on the increase too, these latest days...

Fat hogs hardly ever fly...

[Ty Smith]

Yes you are right, Here is the old boy again,

[Derek O.]

At a local militaria show there was a dealer who sold an M42 ND w/ dried out and wasted liner, no chinstrap and 80% paint for $220. It sold 5 min. after the door opened! It was an ugly helmet and I was shocked someone even thought of buying it!

[Edelweiss]

Precisely. And I'm afraid this "shocked" reaction won't last long...

[Perry Floyd]

It seems every type increases in spurts, periodically.
The latest movers in my opinion are the SD Heer and Luft. helmets. Mainly because colllectors went to those when the DD and camo helmets went out of reach for the common man.

[Jan B]

It seems every type increases in spurts, periodically.
The latest movers in my opinion are the SD Heer and Luft. helmets. Mainly because colllectors went to those when the DD and camo helmets went out of reach for the common man.

I cannot agree 100 % with this Perry, if you noticed the almost 'mint' M42 sd heer that Bill offered for 900 $ a few weeks back ( I don't know if it still listed), I'm sure you could get a nice camo luft ( not the high end ones) for that price too...even the common man

[Perry Floyd]

I'm referening to 94-95 when you could get a killer SD for $300 and the DD were at $1300-$1400 at the same time. Since then the SD I feel has been the fastest mover...

[ccmax]

I bought a M42 LW, with tropical paint (Italian theather) in 1995 for US$ 120.00 The same helmet was resold last year for US$ 800.00

[william r match]

Market forces Rich You need to speculate to accumulate

Billy

[Rolf D.]

What seems to be the running price for double decal Heer and Luftwaffe helmets in above average but not great or mint?