new to forum

[arastx]

hello everyone,

Just wanted to say this is a great site and very helpfull to someone new to this hobby. I started to read more information regarding the collecting of third reich militaria and now want to start my collection. I have a few questions to post and any help will be greatly appreciated.

1. I would like to ask if the collectors guild is a reputable place to buy from.

2. What would be the best items for me to start my collection. (ie badges, cloth, ss..ect.)

3. What dealers would you recomend me staying away from.

thanks for the help.....

PS. I already got burned with "The Third Reich Depot", but not very much. Heard she sells crap. Glad I found out before I sunk any more $$.

thanks again....

[Bobwirtz]

Hello,

My first recommendation to you is figure out what you want to collect rather than one of us telling you. Once you figure that out, then specialize in that. Buy the books and learn all that you can. Do not depend upon dealers telling you what is good. Know that for yourself. Never buy the story, always buy the artifact. If the artifact is genuine, then the story is icing on the cake. We all have dealers we like and dislike so it's best that you learn what is right. You'll then figure out pretty quick which people to stay away from.

Bob

[Howard Kelley]

Hello,

My first recommendation to you is figure out what you want to collect rather than one of us telling you. Once you figure that out, then specialize in that. Buy the books and learn all that you can. Do not depend upon dealers telling you what is good. Know that for yourself. Never buy the story, always buy the artifact. If the artifact is genuine, then the story is icing on the cake. We all have dealers we like and dislike so it's best that you learn what is right. You'll then figure out pretty quick which people to stay away from.

Bob

Hello arastx,

Your 3 questions are enough to write a book!

Specializing is good, but you might be missing out on some great items. I would recommend going through the forum, searching everything from insignia to medals to uniforms to helmets, it's never ending. I like to see a well rounded collection. With examples of U.S., German, Jap, etc.

It depends upon what excites you. But go slow, and learn well. Knowledge is power, and can save you $$$$$$$!

Have any questions? Just keep posting and you'll find more answers and opinion's than flies on a cow patty.

As to recommend dealer's, lots of information on this forum.

Best of luck,
Howard Kelley

[Basil]

1. I would like to ask if the collectors guild is a reputable place to buy from.

...

PS. I already got burned with "The Third Reich Depot", but not very much. Heard she sells crap. Glad I found out before I sunk any more $$.

The Collector's Guild is a good place to buy from but bear in mind that no dealer is infallible; they do all make mistakes. Also bear in mind that some dealers are out-and-out crooks. My advice would be don't buy from any dealer who doesn't have a reasonable return policy.

As for the Third Reich Depot, I bought a few good pieces from them, but got burned a couple of times as well. As the whole terrible Brant Murphy saga illustrates, the business was founded on a pretty shaky knowledge of the stuff that he was purporting to be expert in.

[fknorr]

Get accustomed to being broke because this hobby is not cheap.

Stay away from ebay and buy 10 reference books to every piece to add to your collection.

Listen to the old-timers here and do not rush to make any purchases.

[DaveJ]

[quote=fknorr]Get accustomed to being broke because this hobby is not cheap.

so true

[ErichS]

I now live in a box because of this hobby! The internet is a great tool that a lot of us didn't have when we started. Good luck!

[Glenn Barbaritz]

I now live in a box because of this hobby! The internet is a great tool that a lot of us didn't have when we started. Good luck!

. I hear that! ALWAYS get others opinions on pieces whenever possible before you purchase, as many times one is "blinded" by what they feel is a great piece. sometimes that piece, although original, has hard to see red flags such as post war alterations/repairs or switched out pieces that take away from that "textbook" item that advanced collectors crave. and then ofcourse takes away from the overall value of it. Glenn

[thelma]

You have started in the right direction buying referance books that are invaluble!

The Coll Guild have nice items but are exceedingly expensive and have fees that are extra!

ALL dealers will pass on items they have a doubt about.

Forget SS for awhile unless you have bottomless pockets,knowledge and are prepared to buy at top dollar! Even then you have to be "known "or you will not even hear of the nice items for sale!

Dealers who to stay away from,mmmmmmm my third point covers that one!

These forum's are "invaluable" and a must to post anything that you have bought on "a return policy"

The way I started was after my uncle was one of the men from the Norfolk Regiment who had the misfortune of helping to liberate Bergen Belsen and he brought back some booty from the camp showing me whilst sitting on his knee and listening to horendous stories of war. After that later down the line was to buy NASDAP party pins ,they were quite cheap then and move onto daggers, but there are so many to obtain that this was near inpossible to collect all the branches so I decided on Allgemeine SS the early years!

Get yourself a manequin and buy a complete uniform from a branch of whatever you like, with all accessories, that would be a good start and show it off in your home,dont hide ensembles in the wardrobe,,,knowledge is power in this expensive silly hobby of ours,,,hope this helps and good hunting,,,,, Thelma

[arastx]

new to hobby

I would like to thank everyone for their advise.

I will try to learn as much as I can and hopefully will be able to post my items on the forum one day.

thanks again....