2dresq

Greetings, Well, as a commemorative piece, I would not believe so. The removal of the swastika would have been most likely done for this, especially if this was going to be a "reunion piece". I have yet to see a plastic casting on a piece of wood. Most of the ones I have are cast from wood, ceramic or metallic. The links and google searches showed a great history as well as from a commemorative/memorial page for the USS Frost, the ship credited with the sinking of U-490. http://ussfrost.homestead.com/ She had an extremely short career as you know. Something about this has me a bit suspicious. A crew of 53 to have a plaque like this is also an extremely small number especially with such a short operational career. Torpedoboats are the next smallest ship that I have seen to have pieces, They had over 100 men serving and a much longer service history. There have been a few U-flottille crests but many of those have been painted and solid metal or they were Quimper tiles painted. I have a Unterseebootstender Saar crest, it was shown earlier in the thread. Here is a reunion piece that is from 1980, notice the swastika has been removed from the Uboat badge. This is from the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago Illinois where U-505 resides. I am just sharing my observations and my opinions. Best Regards, JustinG Here is a metallic Deutschland one I picked up a year or so ago. Pretty heavy sucker. JustinG

Hi, Another great piece. I like reading your musings and anecdotes. When you mentioned Mr. Hutt's name I kept thinking, (humorously) of another well-known but fictional character: Jabba. I have always appreciated how that term can be applied to a certain person in a related field. A credential that anyone can throw around and very few might even challenge your "expert-authority". Professions like Medicine and law are very interesting in how this works. There are Legal experts and judicial review experts all reviewing and able to critique a judgement or interpretation. For Medicine: all physicians are practicing medicine. Yet after a while you can become a leading expert in your respective field, rising to national and international acclaim. There are hucksters who will try to sell you snake venom and tell you it's the cure.. How they can help you lose weight, become overnight millionaires, self-help gurus and other people who prey on the weak and feeble minded people. (There are so many out there) It baffles me how people can still not see the scam. But, if you have someone in a lab coat telling you that this wonder drug is the miracle you've been waiting for and if you answer this email advert or call this toll-free number we can send you a sample or just pay shipping and handling, but hurry and act fast, this is a limited time offer and supplies might run out. So why not order two... and we'll toss in a second item for a lower price. Ha Ha Ha Ha. But this WORKS!!!! for the seller. The old addage: "If something is too good to be true... It probably is." People genuinely seem to feel like they can beat the system now, thanks to the internet, if you have a viral video or photo, you can rise to fame, get a million people to follow you and create your YouTube video channel. Companies will sponsor you, paying you big dollars, thanks to your huge fan base and you will be a celebrity. Perhaps one day become the next Kardashian. ( I mean really, why is this family so famous). Then you too can say you are an expert. After all, look at how many followers you have. To which I say: "Tweet this" while giving a rather rude gesture. Maybe one of those students at the theater, will one day be the next "Kardashian." The others can all "SnapChat" and "Instagram" on how they went to school and knew that person way back when. (As they apply their plastic name tag to the uniform, smock, at the "McJob "they are clocking in to for the next 8.5 hours for the next 40 years. Qui novit omnia, JustinG

I have this new one. It is rather common but I love the patina of this piece. SMS or Linienschiff Schlesien.

Fantastic photos gentlemen. Wish I had some to contribute. Best Regards, JustinG

Just got this one recently as well.

I chose my avatar name a while ago. When I was first collecting, I valued the annonimity. There is always people who could get the wrong impression, use our collecting interests and possibly do us harm. It was about 6 years ago that one respected friend suggested that I change my avatar name and consider my First name and last initial. Credibility and also people tend to remember a real name rather than a funny or adjective name. I also consider myself an honorable and I stand by my word and have nothing to be ashamed of with my responses or postings. I kept my avatar name here because I had already posted much on the forum and the ability to change user handles was not an option. Best regards JustinG 2dresq

Another one. S.M.S Stettin Here's a piece I did using my S.M.S Kaiser tally:

Thanks, I am a licensed Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic. The Avatar just seemed appropriate when I first joined. You were one of the few people who have ever commented. Since then, I have changed on many other forums to use my first name and last initial. Cheers. JustinG

These questions are ones that we have all thought about. I keep a log of what/when I have purchased items and who I purchased from. Determining a value is definitely a hard part. What I have paid for an item might seem incredibly out of range for someone who doesn't have a specific or focused goal. I look at you collection posted here on this "blog" I see many nice firearms. But to someone like me, who doesn't collect this particular focus, I would probably say a value figure that would have you scoffing, coughing, and other bodily functions that show ones discontent and anger. I have collected for my own enjoyment. I don't care if I never see the return on my investment or recoup the value of what I have put into my collection. I have purchased Items that I enjoy. This I think, is what the difference is between a collector and an investment collector. I do come from a school of thought that lets my family know what is truly rare. I would hate to have my family, after I am gone, turn over for mere pennies a really rare and unique piece that is being sold at the same price as a common unmarked EK2 for example. This ledger, I keep in a lock box with other documents of estate. I do echo your precautions of who you let see your collection. I have personally benefited by specializing in my collecting and those regarded and respected collectors have noted me and have offered to liquidate their collections to me. That is one of the huge benefits to belonging to forums like this. You get a chance to share your love of collecting military artifacts and trinkets from wars and conflicts past. You form a sort of online friendship and meet others with similar like views. There is a whole range of collectors out there of varying ages. Perhaps if you are thinking of liquidating your assets or anyone else in that matter, to consider reaching out to a fellow forum member who you have come to respect and who might be interested in items that you possess. The forum member will probably offer more than what a dealer would be. I have had opportunities like this. The members didn't post on the "for sale" platform, they contacted me directly and presented me with what they thought was a fair offer. As a collector, someone who cherishes history and the items. Doesn't it make you feel better when you sell to someone who you know will appreciate the items as you have? We, after all, are just caretakers for these items of history. We can't take this stuff with us. Bottom line: Summary: If you collect for your own interest and passion, then you never need to worry about if something was worth it, or what the value is to others. A collection is a collection, investments are investments. Military items in collections are never to be confused with the latter. You want a collection that holds value to everyone, collect bits of paper that have (Presidents, national heroes, symbols, Kings/Queens, kids playing hockey CANADA , monuments, animals and all will have a denomination number somewhere conspicuous on them) This will never go lower than face value. (I am speaking of currency) Well, that's enough of my ramblings. All the best.

Echoing all comments. Wow! It takes ones breath away. Wow! Best Regards, JustinG

Here are some others I have acquired since last posting. Thanks for looking.

Here we go.

Very nice. Thanks for sharing.

Greetings, I have been starting to collect the imperial tallies of the many ships that took place during the battle of Jutland. I wanted to share the ones I currently have. These are currently on their way to me as of this time. I have photo edited them to save space. Thanks for looking. Here are some others.

Well, as I now see with the holes in the first posting and the photo proof in the second. I think you have similar devices. Mine on the back has four loops that most likely attach to a pickelhaube. Great research and information. Regards, JustinG

Nicely displayed my friend. Very nice. Best Regards, JustinG

Hi, I recently acquired one of these as well. Here is the description that was provided. Prussia. An Emblem from an 1895 Prussian Guards Officer's Pickelhaube A finely made helmet plate with period attention to detail, base star in die stamped silver with 4 loop attachment points on reverse, centre with white and black enamel and gilt bronze lettering, measuring 88mm in diameter, overall very fine. Best Regards, JustinG

Looks great accompanied with a tally and a period postcard in a collage artwork piece. Best Regards, JustinG

I used a black light and there was no glowing. Also I grabbed a loose thread on the blue backing and it burned up with no residue. Thanks Simon and Michael. Best Regards, JustinG

Another plaque/wappen is on its way to me. From the Torpedoboot Grief. Very happy to add another one. Thanks for looking. JustinG

There is a known fake for the Scharnhorst. It is known as the "Belfast" fake as it was sold nearby where the HMS Belfast resides. It has fooled many collectors. The tip with Scharnhorst tallies is that they need to be not cut (100cm or longer) in any way or made with metallic thread. The one you shown has the tell-tale sign of being a Belfast fake. I am sorry. You can search around for Belfast Scharnhorst and learn more. Best Regards, JustinG

I have ordered another blacklight. Should be here in a couple of days. Is the blacklight test the only test I can perform? I have done a search on the forum. Only a couple of topics show the Eagle Squadron eagle. and none are free from a uniform tunic, so the reverse is unable to be verified. I purchased this recently from Barry Turk at emedals.com. I have had good luck with them in the past. I would love to hear other methods as well. I will share the blacklight results when the blacklight arrives from Amazon. Thank you for your time in this matter. Best Regards, JustinG

Greetings Gentlemen, I recently acquired what I feel is lovely Eagle Squadron insignia. I would love to hear your opinions on this piece. I thank you for your time. Best Regards, JustinG

I have also added the Kreuzer Blücher wappen to my collection. I feel very fortunate to add this one.

A shot showing all 22 destroyers in order.