muckaroon1960

"Swing and Roundabouts" comes to mind! With collecting medals or any other items there are days when you will undoubtedly find a bargain and others where you will pay over the odds? It happens to us all but like "Alex K" has said, we should enjoy "our"collections and I always say you have something to pass on when you are gone or sell if you decide you no longer want or need it? My only other tip to collectors is do your research and shop around. The internet has provided us and those people who are not mobile or live in isolated areas with access to greater choice but also provided a comparison of other outlets. I look to buy in all areas, from the internet, shops, shows and boot markets but I always try to research any particular item I am after especially the cost. Relax and enjoy!

Wow! Thats what I call collecting. Fantastic..........................

Peter, thanks for info, much appreciated. I have looked closer at the stitching and this appears to have been professionally done? Battle dress is a genuine item but is confusing about the arm badge? Will seek further info. Thanks.

Bought this 1945 dated Foresters battle dress recently. Does anyone know what the arm badge represents please? I assume the foresters is the Sherwood Foresters. Jacket is marked Sgt Ginsby HQ, QM stores, 1st Foresters. Any information most welcome.

Hello, Not sure what prices you are having to pay in the U.S. but I bought my silver mothers cross last year in the UK for £45 (sterling) approx $70 U.S. I've attached a picture of mine and yes I agree the silver is a better looker than either gold or bronze but thats our opinion? Hope you find what you are looking for. muckaroon1960

Chris, nice K98 and bayonet. I bought a similar K98 which is a refurb but I cleaned all the varnish off the woodwork and polished it with wax. Looks loads better!

I see a lot of passion behind this collection. I also have a WW1 victory medal to a canadian soldier which I would like to share with you. The medal is to Pte James Stone Olde 401015, 4th Battalion, Canadian Infantry, Central Ontario Regiment. Born Boscastle, Cornwall, England 1895 to Mark and Mary Anne Olde. Killed in Action 9th April 1917 at Vimy Ridge aged 22 years. Buried at Bois-Carre British Cemetary, Thelus. The 4th Canadian Battalion (1st Infantry Brigade) was part of the Canadian 1st Infantry Division under the command of Major-General Currie and looking at the battle plans the 4th were in the front line. The badges do not belong to Pte Olde but I added them to the medal in its frame to enhance the display.

David, you can't go much wrong if you invest in "The Medal yearbook 2010" which I believe has just been or is about to be published. A worthwhile investment especially when collecting British and Commonwealth medals. Full colour pics and an up to date price guide. I think Dixons medals and Amazon are selling this book? Well worth looking at other websites as well as e-bay and do your research. Website I can recommend is Britannia Military Antiques. Good Luck in your collecting. Muckaroon 1960

It would be a shame if "investors" were pushing up the price of medals just to try and gain a quick return (as some seem to be when it comes to oil)? Those of us who do genuinely collect do receive a lot of satisfaction from obtaining our medals at the price we are happy to pay. It's a case of swings and roundabouts, sometimes one has to pay the going rate, other times you luck in at the right time and place and pick up a bargain. :D

Nice set of NSDAP badges guys. Here's some pics of mine, marked M1/34. This one is magnetic and RZM marked as well. Maker is Karl Wurster, Mark-Neukirchen.:D

What a great find and what provenance, it's a pity the seller didn't have the other shell? Well done, it's really satisfying when you purchase such an interesting item and get more than what you bargained for! :D

Bought this badge from a boot market a while ago and would like to know what or whom it was for? On the rear is the RZM marking along with the letters PS (in a square) and LINZ A.D. Any information would be most welcome. Thanks.

Thanks Kevin, I agree about monetary and collecting being the main reasons for prices of medals increasing. Personally with me it's the collecting and owning I enjoy but it is nice to know that what you are buying may increase with value assuming of course you haven't overspent? It would seem that the rarer medals are starting to go up in price due to availability but I was questioning if the current financial situation was causing investors to look elsewhere?

Has anyone recently noticed the rise in the cost of medals, especially the more scarcer or gallantry ones? The Millitary Cross from WW1 has increased, cased or uncased by as much as ?60 from some dealers whereas some of the more common medals seemed to have stayed in the same price range as 3 years ago? More scarcer medals like the territorial force war medal and the air crew europe are increasing in value. Should we blame this on the credit crunch, seems odd but thinking about it maybe more people are buying into the medal market as a means of investment and especially the top end with orders and gallantry decorations as well as groups? Recently thought about it myself, rather than leave money in the bank invest in a good set of medals. However this would be a long term investment as selling them is usually via a dealer or auction (internet or otherwise) and the quick returns would not be there. Has anyone had any experiences of price rises in this area? :)