Germania Cuff Title

[Sal Williams]

Hi Guys,
I was hoping to get an opinion on this. I have a chance to buy it but have no idea about SS stuff at all! Is this a good one? What price do these usually fetch? Thanks in advance.
Best, Sal

[Sal Williams]

closer

[Sal Williams]

the back

[Sal Williams]

and finally, the RZM tag. Do real ones come with a cloth tag sewn in?

[Luc]

If you don't buy it... I will buy it...

[rkdek]

Like Luc implied, a very nice original!

[Tony Barto]

Hi Sal;

Nice officers gothic Germania. I'd say somewhere in the neighborhood of $2k+ for a mint unissued piece. If you turn it down please let me know.

[bschille]

I'm right behind my collegues!! Very nice one!

[Sal Williams]

Hi Guys,
YIKES!!!! It was only 600 euros! I hope it's still available!!! Thanks for all your help everyone.
Best, Sal

I was sure it was no good for that price.

[bschille]

Run like hell!
Hope you can catch it....and sell it to me!

[StevenD]

It is good...no good fakes of this style yet...the fakes I have seen are actually hand done to copy the machine weave (you still on vacation in Europe?)

[Sal Williams]

Thanks again guys,
Tony, I am just hoping it is still available. It would be my first SS piece!
Steven, No, I'm home now. Can't wait to go back!
Thanks for your speedy replies everyone
Best, Sal

[Sal Williams]

Do you guys think you could tell me how you determined this was a good one so I can begin the perilous navigation of SS items?

Best, Sal

[Robert H]

A good question. I learned to know and try to understand this things since years, and the learn process will maybe end when I am 6 feed under. You have to get some books, know some other collector friends where you go to some shows or where you will meet at some shows, you can share infos with collector friends, handle some original items like your nice cuffband in your hand and compare the things what you see offered in the internet and from the dealers, join a forum in the internet. But a good tip I would say handle once a good piece and compare it.

Sal, when you ever wonna get rid from your "Germania" cufftitle I would be very happy to get any day an offer from you.


Robert

[Tony Barto]

Do you guys think you could tell me how you determined this was a good one so I can begin the perilous navigation of SS items?

Best, Sal

Hi Sal. I'm afraid it's not that easy. This type of band is known in collector terminology as a "Type 1 flatwire" due to the type of bullion used and the process to create the title. This type of band is pretty much the easiest to discern originality as StevenD stated that there are no good reproductions of these bands yet. "Type 2 flatwires" are similar but different enough that they have their own uniqueness to them. RZM types are probably the most difficult to discern with "bevo" and "bevo like" being in the middle. The only thing I can really say is to watch the forums, ask lots of questions, handle as many known originals as you can, buy reference materials and if you have any items you'd like to get opinions on then by all means post them and we'll help you as best we can.