Hauptmann

Hi Marcus,

I deeply appreciate this. And many thanks in advance for any other help, pricing wise or otherwise you're able/willing to provide. Again I just feel so handicapped not knowing what this stuff is worth.

I'm going to post a few things I no longer have just to see if I can at least get a rough idea if I did okay or perhaps even over charged. I mean the buyer seemed extremely pleased so at least that's no sweat. Anyhow keep an eye out for my posts and any that you see that you can comment on it would be most appreciated.

Thanks so much!

Dan

Hello Dan

As rough guide I'd say that a nice cased example like this, from a dealer, would be around $300 - $400 USD.

Hi David,

Well, there you go... I had guestimated around $250 so I was off by a good bit. Not that she'd ever go but it's always nice to know.

I deeply appreciate the heads up.

Thanks,

Dan

Hi Don,

No, that's just it... I don't really. If the majority of folks on here said $50 then that's what it would be. I simply don't know what 95% of my stuff is worth anymore. Was out of the loop for far far too long.

I just feel handicapped especially since things have gone up so far since I got them. Something I may have paid $10 for then could be worth $250 now and I wouldn't know it. I'd really feel the fool if I put it out for say, $15 and then found out it was the higher figure.

I mean I recently sold some TR pieces and I'm still not positive if I did okay or not. But that's like spilt milk if it's the case and I can't worry about it now. Just trying to get on a good footing from here on in.

And from my experience unless one is going to and participating in shows, auctions, and collector to collector dealing then it's very hard to really know what things are worth. I used to do all that but then dropped off the radar from the late 80's on due to where we moved. And now I'm even more isolated... were it not for the net and this fine forum.

Believe me, I deeply appreciate all the advice and such ya'll are willing/able to provide. And anytime I can also be of help I'll jump right in. That's the beauty of this club. Ya'll are terrific and I'm just happy to be able to be here among such esteemed and knowleable collectors and historians.

Thanks,

Dan

Hi Marcus,

Wow... I'm just getting all kinds of good feedback on everything today! Needless to say I'm a very happy camper. And getting an education to boot. I'm learning about stuff that's basically just been sitting in cases or on shelves all these years.

Many thanks!

Any notion on value? This is my one big handicap... I simply was out of the loop far too long and I've no idea on what the majority of my stuff is worth. Shoot, I couldn't even tell you how many things I have. I just kept adding to the pile over time.

Thanks,

Dan

Well that's a sad story and one that is unfortunately repeated all too often in the collecting world.

Hi Stogieman,

Sad but very true. But I try to talk it all in stride. I went into this with the feeling that I am going to make mistakes, I am going to be taken on occassion, I am going to be cheated and I am going to have some regrets. But I'm also going to learn on heck of a lot, I am going to get better as I go along and I am going to meet alot of very nice caring people who really care and are willing to be supportive and help out along the way. And out of them I knew I'd make some good friends as well.

I must say, joining this club is hands down one of the best things I think I've ever done in this or any of my hobbies. You are all truly in that last category and it makes all the bad experiences and mistakes seem trivial.

Just in a few days I've discovered that things I had nagging doubts about are fine. Things I thought were copies are good. Things I thought were common and ordinary are actually far from it. And that I seem to have done much better in all this than I was starting to think.

Suffice it to say I feel pretty darned good right now and it's thanks for all the great folks in this club. I just can't say thank you enough.

So... one more time... thanks all!!!!

Dan

Hi David,

Many thanks for the kind words and the compliments. The old girl is blushing as am I. She says to say thank you as well.

Also love that Franklin quote... it's one I'd not heard before and believe me I'm very up on quotes from the founding fathers. I'll have to add that one to my list. Many thanks!

Just out of curiosity... any idea on value? I fell out of the loop on this stuff back in the late 80's and am now totally lost on current market prices/values on nearly all of my stuff... especially TR but much of the rest as well. Even ranges on anything I've posted would be deeply appreciated!

Many thanks!

Dan

Very nice Dan. Seem to have overlooked this thread

Like the guys say ... nice zinker. Too bad about the reverse hardware.

The Pilot's case is still worth ~ $250-350 in the condition it's in

Hi Darrell,

So... spitter sput... dare I even say it... or think it... the... case... is good too?

I had no idea! I knew it was the pilots but the guy I got it from... a USAF officer in Tampa wasn't sure so sold it as a copy. If real then I did very well as I think I paid like $5 for it... won't even say how long ago cause you can guess.

I mean I'm thrilled having the badge re-confirmed by this esteemed group but the case as well... fantastic!

I just can't thank you enough... all of you for your kind comments and confirmation of all this.

Just out of curiosity... as it is, roughly what would the badge itself be worth? I want to shock Kim a bit on this one as she too was thrilled to know it was real when Jack told us way back when.

Thanks!!!! I owe's ya all a pizza some day when you come to visit me here in the great white north.

Dan

Gentleman,

I'm overwhelmed... so much praise for my little girls! They and I are blushing!

And great to see them in actual wear... many many thanks for posting the pics. And love the last cased example! Terrific stuff.

These are just all around terrific badges. Wish I also had a 57 example to go with them. Perhaps someday.

Thanks so much!

Dan

Hi guys,

Wow... I'm blushing! Here I literally thought this was nothing particularly special that anyone would ooh and ahh over. Just a run of the mill. You're even making her blush! Needless to say the old gal (and I say that with love. ) also appreciates your compliments.

Just out of curiosity... and again this is because I've been more or less out of the loop since the late 80's or thereabouts, any rough idea on price? I hope it's not out of place to keep asking this but I literally and absolutely do not really know what 95% of my stuff is worth anymore. And it's always a good thing to keep on top of. But I was fairly isolated where I was and I'm literally a newbie to all this forum/posting stuff... Kim's been trying to get me to do it for years and years but I've always been hesitant. But now I'm glad I did with this group. Ya'll are terrific!

Thanks so much!

Dan

Hi David,

You're very welcome! Love doing so. Some of these things haven't had one folks admiring them since the late 80's and for someone that loves "Show and Tell" as much as I always have it's been rather frustrating. I'm having a blast with all this.

I just can't thank you enough for having me... and for putting up with my "twenty year" fetish.

Many thanks!

Dan

Hi guys,

Wow! Okay... now I'm feeling woozy! I simply had no idea. I probably picked them up XX years ago... hey, had to at least write it differently for like a couple of bucks each or so.

So same question stands... can/will/should admin move both of these to their appropriate sections or do I need to repost them?

Also, I see the price quoted on the one you linked me to... with mine having a good bit of the silver present any idea on price? Same on the other one... which I would assume to be stone cold mint... price?

Again nothing I'm holding anyone to the wall on... it's just I've literally been out of the loop since the mid to late 80's as far as pricing and such. So I literally have no idea short of the one on that link.

Many thanks!

Dan

Hi all,

Wow, mucho cool! So that's definitely a good thing I would think.

So does this need to be reposted in that other section or can it be moved by admin? I'm happy to have it popped over there if it can be done.

This is just an amazing place and ya'll are terrific! I know more about it now than I have for, well, we all know how many years! And all in the course of one night. Fantastic!

My hats off to you both. Many thanks!

Dan

Hi Hendrik & Christophe,

Many thanks for all your posts and comments. Looks like I got a ball rolling here. Love the pics... the breast star is great... although I think the French kinda skimped on the enamel on that one! And the China one is terrific! The ribbon just really sets it off.

Keep em comin'! I'd love to see more. I'm not an expert in the area of French decorations... know enough to probably be dangerous but always happy to see and learn more.

Tr?s bon! Merci beaucoup! Vive la militaria!

Dan

The plaque should be blacked iron, not painted. Here is an original for comparison.

Hi War Lord,

I'll be happy to do a scan of it... as soon as I'm able to get a scanner but for now unless I can take it somewhere and do it (small town, no print places to speak of) I'm kinda stuck with the camera I have.

And again, it's just as I found it... haven't messed with it and only have what Jack told me as far as the thumbs up to be able to say one way or the other.

I really wish I could say more. I'd kinda hoped to get some additional info on it or something posting here. I mean even Jack said the black was the norm. And again cannot in my wildest dreams imagine why anyone would either fake it, which I'm sure Jack would have seen through in a heartbeat, or would paint it gold. There is and was never from the day I bought it... I checked as I do with helmets, etc... any odor of paint which of course does tend to stay for alot longer then most people realize.

It's something that I don't believe is widely collected or particular sought after by most collectors so I'm assuming not something the repop'ers would shoot for... who would buy them? And to take an original and paint it gold... why? Makes no sense to me.

Sigh. Just seems to be turning into a problematical piece. I mean, as I said, I didn't even seek it out... had a friend who was like super into horses and when I found it I figured she'd love to see it due to the horse theme. Beyond that it just sits with the rest of the stuff. No intention to sell it or anything.

I "may" be willing to try a bit of solvent on one of the out of the way edge pieces to see if anything comes off. If it does then it's paint but the question still remains, why? But if it doesn't come off then it was either made that way for whatever reason or it just remains a mystery.

No idea what else to say. Wish I knew more. Very frustrating to say the least.

But very much enjoyed seeing yours. Very nice piece indeed. I'm beginning to wish mine looked the same.

Thanks,

Dan

I enquired on your behalf regarding a current price for one of these, he estimates about ?50-?55 for one here in the UK.

Hope this helps.

Cheers

Don

Hi Don,

First off, many thanks for all your posts, sharing the terrific pics and especially help with the pricing. So just short of $100... not too shabby.

But I can't get that one ad I saw out of my mind... here's a link (hope this is okay):

http://www.ww2germanmilitaria.com/belts_buckles_n.htm

Seems the same as mine except all that "stuff" on the face of it.

I mean, I don't have a set price in mind yet, but in my position financially right now I want to get the best price I can without skinning someone alive. Want to be fair but certainly don't want to sell it for $$ then find out later it was actually worth $$$$. Seems to be the way my luck runs. Just want a fair price so the buyer and myself are both happy with the deal. I'm in the same boat with any of this stuff I ever sell.

Plus, I loath money... I mean it's nice to have but as they say it's the root of all evil. The most fun I've ever had is in trades... seems like everyone generally comes out happy in trades whereas with money, the guy that forks it over "always" seems to feel he overpaid and the one who gets it for his goodies always feels he got underpaid. Sigh.

Just not one of my most enjoyable things... dealing in money. Shoot, if someone had a used McDaniel book and perhaps an extra goodie(s) they'd throw in that would work just as well. But seems once those books are bought they stay bought if you know what I mean. I've heard tales of folks getting them for $50 on Ebay on occassion... well, I've only seen two listed in the recent past, and believe me, I look! Both went for what I can get them for new. If I'm gonna pay that I'll wait and get the new one... it's the waiting part that's killing me!

Sigh.

Oh well, on to other replies. Again thanks for the info. Let me know what you think on that other one compared with mine and if the price sounds nuts or what? I'm like thinking if "that" with all those marks is $130 and mine is the same mines got to be worth a bit more for being as clean as it is. But if I'm wrong in that line of thought I need to know. And granted I checked a few English sites and sure enough they're running what you said... but again no idea on the types, variations, etc. Am flying blind.

Well, off to the batmobile.

Thanks,

Dan

Hi Hendrik,

VERY NICE indeed!!!! Have always loved that one and that's about the prettiest I've seen yet! Congrats on having such a beautiful piece!

Thanks for sharing.

Dan

What is that bottom left ?

Hi Chris,

Ya'll just caught me getting ready to shut down for the night. But glad you did. And very glad ya'll like the presentation.

I'm not positive but seems to be a half size miniature... at least that's my guess. Just something I picked up somewhere along the way... can't remember where or when.

Thanks,

Dan

Yes, the Aux Cruiser badge is a design that everyone seems to like. Interesting, that most all the other KM awards show the relevant type of boat/ship (i.e. a U-Boat, E-Boat, Destroyer, Battleship etc). This is the only one that uses a historical link back to some of the earliest sea raiders, the Vikings.

Very nice miniature too. I've been looking for one of these to go with my cased Aux Cruiser, so if you ever decide to let it go, let me know.

Hi Gordon... you just caught me... was about to get ready and shut down for the night after replying to your post about the Blockade Runners Badge.

VERY NICE!!!! And yes, I will re the stickpin. For sure if I manage to find another I'd be happy to pass it along as I only need the one. And if you ever run into another similar case please let me know. I'd love to put my pair into a nice "garage".

They're both just terrific badges and I can see how folks get hooked on them. I think those and the navy daggers are just the greatest! Of course I'm partial to navy anyhow. I actually went way outside of my district for HS in order to join Navy JROTC instead of the USMC version. And then at the start of my fourth year they build a new HS and put us in that district... gave us the choice to go there for AF JROTC to finish out our senior year. I passed... stuck with the Navy. Did some college and planned to go in as an officer in carriers. Didn't work out as I was involved in a hit and run. Some kid had "borrowed" his mom's car (no insurance of course! ) and gone on a joy ride after graduation from Largo HS. Had his kid brother and one of his friends in the back seat... drinking beer and having a grand old time. Till they ran a red left turn signal and rammed into me. Screwed my car, may back and my neck up but good. There went my navy career.

But on the good side of things the next car in line to get hit would have been a little sub-sub compact with a volunteer fireman and his wife, kids and new baby. The car that hit me was an Olds 88... a battleship. As it was I was in a Vega Estate wagon... being the wagon is the only reason I'm here now. But they would have never survived. So better what happened to me than an entire family getting wiped out. I'd do it all over again without hesitation.

But I do still love the navy... any navy.

Well, it's that time... better run before I fall asleep on the keyboard. But I'll be back posting in a few hours... knock on wood! Hope to wake up to tons and tons of replies that I need to go through and savor! I get the biggest kick out of all this. Thanks everyone!

Night all!

Dan

Very nice early Schwerin piece Dan, and not so easy to find these days. Extra nice being in its original case with miniature.

Hi Gordon,

Many thanks for your kind words! Even though the case is not in top notch shape I figure it worked out as I was easily able to show the innerds and figure that's always a good thing for folks to be able to see and if possible compare.

No idea what they run now... I think I paid $250 in the day... but I wanted her and I have no regrets.

I guess I really got hooked on these and the Aux. Cruiser badges once I saw the movies with John Wayne and Van Johnson playing Auxiliary Cruiser Captains, breaking out and doing their thing. I'm tempted to watch them again. Have to trudge down in the bunker tomorrow and pull out the tapes. Wish ya'll could come join me... great flicks.

Well, I fear the time has come to go zonk out... or at least watch a bit of TV before zonking out.

I have thoroughly enjoyed doing all my posts and especially reading those who have posted before I arrived. I still have a few more days off so hoping to continue and get a few more things posted. I'll try to do the new group photos of the wounds sometime today as well as taking my framed IAB set from Jack Angolia out and try to get some shots of it in natural light. It's a hard one to get shots of due to the glass but will be worth it if I can manage it.

Again thanks so much for having me as a member... and putting up with the fact that I think I got 90% of my stuff over "twenty years ago". Really... I've gotten a ton of stuff since then... honest! Just ask my wife!

I just can't get enough of all this stuff and hope I have tons more years of collecting in front of me. When I get my (please God) palace in the sky I do so hope there's room for the ultimate set of collectibles rooms plus a nice video room to boot. Not one for singing endlessly and sitting around on clouds all day.

Thanks again,

Dan

My son really loves this piece so it's one that's definitely getting passed down. He's got good taste... no idea where he gets it from though.

Thanks for checking her out. The old girl is still looking good if you ask me! Although I did notice a tiny bit of surface rust starting on the blade so guess it's maintenance time again.

Thanks,

Dan

And here's that pressed paper I told you about... just amazing!

Hi all,

Okay... gonna squeeze in at least one more tonight and then I think I'm gonna call it quits. Been a long day... week, month, year, decade... well you get the idea.

I'm not even going to say how long ago I got this cause ya'll already know so what's the point!

It's the type with no motto. Nothing fancy. But I got it because of the hanger and such. Looks like leather, has the marbeling but it's not leather. It's pressed paper! I was amazed when I first saw it and still am to this day. Even after this many years it has held up and would probably still wear just as well as the day it was made. It's amazing what desperation can do.

Needless to say, it's just a good piece that's been there, done that and lived to tell the tale.

And yes, that looks like an old tack to me too... but it was on there when I got it... no idea why... and I've left it alone.

This is the one dagger I never get tired of seeing. I had to pass on a West German model at about the same time I got this one... $100 and have regretted it ever since as I can never seem to find those... since they've all been "converted" over to WWII pieces.

But I am soooooo glad I didn't pass on this one. Again, not absolutely perfect... but it's been there and done that. Oh the stories this stuff could tell if it could only talk.

Thanks for looking,

Dan

Hi all,

Okay, okay... I got half way down the hall and realized... I nearly forgot to put up my KM dagger. This is one of my pride and joy pieces... because I got this one from Jack Angolia on one of my visits, and just because I LOVE KM daggers!

It's just the way I accepted it from him about twenty years ago (I'm simply not going to say it! Just put up with it... it's just the way it is! ) and IMHOP just as perty as the day I got it from him.

Admittedly not perfect but I hope I look this good at that age.