SS collectible market end 2015

[Robert H]

What do you think currently?

Much collections getting offered, much to auction houses, rare stuff sits about price or market issues?

[Disco Partisan]

Obviously fewer investor-type of collectors in the hobby which is good for true collectors. If market is going slower and slower and prices are cheaper and cheaper that only means I would get more what I want for less money, which is only good news for me. I never sell anything. Return on investment does not bother me at all

[viva_giulio]

it's always a question of sources. For me 2015 was really the best SS collecting year EVER... i found really a lot of items at low price. Some very very rare.
And i am also happy to sold some of these rare items at 2/3 - 3/5 of prices than estand - dealer site to some friends of this forum.

Of course i do not buy since 3/4 years items overpriced: and if you have private sources you know real prices.

Of course if you must knock to an heaven door to get a dream item and you do not want wait... you must pay.

All became slower but is better, crazy times of 2002/2010 could not return. Yes, were so funny cause an item could sold in a couple of hours... but prices reached crazy level and now.... we suffer results.

Or better... some of us. People who bought as a supermarket in brokers sites... if they will continue to buy they will continue to loose.

Disco Partisan do not care to sell so he's free to get what he wants. The best way to collect is to do not think to sell or accept you could lost some money. Less if you buy a car or an house.

[N.C. Wyeth]

I really don't know anymore . . .

Do you ask about SS militaria alone, Robert?

If so, inquire at War Relics Forum - one can find plenty of optimism there.

[kersten]

Any one who talks to fellow collectors and really has an ear to the ground knows that the bottom has fallen out of the German militaria market - prices for good items have fallen 50% or more - top premo items may still do ok but that's about it - Craigs auctions are a good barometer as to just how tough things are ATM - and this is probably good for the hobby - I think a lot of the price fixing and manipulation by some dealers is over - Wittman is apparently about to retire - after he pulls every last trick - if the us economy does crash - as many think it will / expect some mega bargains - I think this is good for the hobby - it's like a big flood - it flushes out some bargains and may even attract some new collectors

[blitzkrieg gsd]

I can't say the bottom has fallen out of the TR market but I have seen a slow down for sure. I'm thinking where we are going to see the most action will be from large collections hitting the market soon threw estates. Hate to say it but a lot of the old guard is on there way to the next life. As more and more of these guys pass away there collections are going to hit the market. These are the guys who put there collections together in the 50s and 60s. Back then you could build a huge collection of top quality items on a working mans budget. That's what these guys did and those collections are going to hit the market. Most of you guys know that your family members don't care about this stuff. Once they inherit the collections and figure out they can turn it into liquid cash that's what will happen. If any of you think there's a lot of young collectors who are interested in this hobby look around at the Show of Shows this year. So as the years go by and these large collections hit the market the prices will fall back to where it's affordable again for the working man to collect the higher class items. This is my view on the market anyway and I see it as the same thing for all militaria in general.

[Stossgruppe3]

Interesting question Robert.
I have noticed a real downturn in the market over the years too
In particular the SS market prices have never been so low
For me this is a reflection of the world economy
It has nothing to do with collecting and this hobby ... It's all relative.
On saying that a lot if not most of the dealers will now entertain extended layaways
which is also helpful as this gives everyone the chance to own something they perhaps have always wanted. My concerns are that most of us have been collecting for many many years and when we first started the prices were high but with the influx of new and more items available the market might just become worthless ?
Regards David

[R.H.J]

Imho it only affects the common items that are in overflood at the market.

This year has been crazy for me, found some un-obtainable items but these have only come to me because of the relationship i builded over the years. Indeed these where are layaways but still demanded high$$

The downside is indeed world economy, you have to think not twice but several times to spend your well earned money. When in the past you could buy multiple now be happy if you can buy only just one piece.

I'm relative young 32 and know enough youngster that collect,
But these days life is more then only collecting, managing thrue our capalistic ways of life is hard enough if your just an working guy.

Reg,
Ron

[Ian Hulley]

Looking at the auction sites and bearing in mind I'm only aware of the prices over the past 3 or so year I'd say the medal market is bumping along quite nicely at just above the bottom price.

We need to spare a thought for our colleagues in the SS helmet market, the recent Champagne Decal debacle has seen a lot of people who thought they were sat on an immaculate investment realise they've been duped ... confidence has to have taken a beating

I can't help but think that it may rumble round the whole market in the next 12 months.

Ian.

[Raymond270]

I could never justify paying so much money in particular for a SS Helmet even before
the latest discovery, Basically the entire price of the helmet is in the decal.
Two exact same helmets in the same shape one Heer and One SS just because
of the decal big price difference.
Not for me.

[viva_giulio]

because of the relationship i builded over the years.

Reg,
Ron

Exactly. I talked about sources and these born from relationships.

If you invest in friendships relations year after year you can continue to collect and have fun.
I your hobby is to buy online and only what you want and not what came from with good price... You must keep calm and know you are listing 30%.
And this is not bad... If you buy a car you can lost 80%/in few years.

[WalterB]

I could never justify paying so much money in particular for a SS Helmet even before
the latest discovery, Basically the entire price of the helmet is in the decal.
Two exact same helmets in the same shape one Heer and One SS just because
of the decal big price difference.
Not for me.

It is not just a decal. It is the historical meaning of that item. The history that it represents, what that item was part of. What that item witnessed during those turbulent times. Your analysis is devoid of any historical significance or considerations. Under your standard, why collect SS cloth when there is cheaper and more abundant Heer cloth? To many, it is all about the history. And rightly so, in my opinion!

[viva_giulio]

Every year a particular item grown value. Last year you could find a great m40 helmet at 4000/EUR. Now probably 5500. 2-3 years ago tk metal reached crazy value... Now returned at usual price 400-600.
You must observe market. I do not like helmet too and for this price I prefer 100 times more a tunic. Helmet are were and will be available in large quantity. It's only a price question. Particular headgears and quite all tunics not. So i prefer a new tunic always.

Clear: we are taking a cip of tea talking about the usual nothing. But it's relaxing

[Tony & Kaiser]

Could someone please let me know where these bargain-basement prices for SS cloth are located?

I am known as an Imperial German collector, but a lifetime ago I had a respectable SS collar tab collection. I have been looking all of 1915 to replace four tabs I used to own years ago: just one excellent textbook example of an SS Officer's Runes hand-embroidered in bullion with RZM tag, an EM Totenkopf machine-embroidered rear-facing, and (although highly unlikely), a matched pair of Standartenführer collar tabs.

If the bottom has dropped out of the SS collectibles market, why are these so hard to find? And will they be priced low? I sincerely doubt it.

The SS collar tabs I was able to find and replace this year, were horrifically expensive.

As far as helmets go, I paid over $10K USD for my SS M40 and the same for my SS M42 EF. Expensive? Yes. But both are in the top 5% of SS helmets known. And that level of quality and condition sells with one email.

[espenlaub]

Obviously fewer investor-type of collectors in the hobby which is good for true collectors. If market is going slower and slower and prices are cheaper and cheaper that only means I would get more what I want for less money, which is only good news for me. I never sell anything. Return on investment does not bother me at all

In Russia at the moment must be very good prices, 71 R- 1 $. But not at the SS area, there not a lot peoples collecting/ selling them, ( I didn't say about the dug up stuff). Most of the items has been sold in beginning of 90's. But I know guys who are still floating and have customers for other militaria ( rare daggers) and they are still buy in Europe. Concerning me, the prices in US are not such sweet, due the USD and EUR has not such difference as it was a year ago. And at least- the Europe, Russia and USA is absolutely different areas with diffirent interests. For example colored SA Kepies you will never sell in Russia, and hard sellers in Europe, but best sellers in USA