warguy Posted October 17, 2022 Share Posted October 17, 2022 10 hours ago, ferris055 said: Warguy, I noticed the same thing and thought that immediately. I wonder why he labeled it as United States Army. He probably recognizes the Army Second Division star and Indianhead and went with that despite the ega on the front. Advertising it as a Marine helmet would have probably received more hits. It’s hard ti figure out what a guy like this is thinking I suppose. Probably something like “Gee I hope it fetches something more than the $200.00 in paint, ega and shell I have into it”. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted October 17, 2022 Share Posted October 17, 2022 From doing a bit of googling, the seller is involved with IPMS and has done some award winning model building. Probably using the same skill set to do the artwork on these. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian R Posted October 17, 2022 Share Posted October 17, 2022 15 minutes ago, Dave said: From doing a bit of googling, the seller is involved with IPMS and has done some award winning model building. Probably using the same skill set to do the artwork on these. Good research, Dave. This guy is a total fraud! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warguy Posted October 17, 2022 Share Posted October 17, 2022 That is great detective work and sure explains a lot. Thanks! I like that this thread posts his items for future reference. I hope we keep doing that. I am afraid once again collectors are going to be seeing his helmets for decades. Would be nice to point others to this discussion when they come to market. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
French Sam Posted October 17, 2022 Share Posted October 17, 2022 13 minutes ago, warguy said: That is great detective work and sure explains a lot. Thanks! I like that this thread posts his items for future reference. I hope we keep doing that. I am afraid once again collectors are going to be seeing his helmets for decades. Would be nice to point others to this discussion when they come to market. + 1 ! Thanks for ALL ! It's very interesting ! ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted October 17, 2022 Share Posted October 17, 2022 I bet the seller is "playing stupid" on his description of the helmet to make buyers think they are buying it from some garage sale picker. Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warguy Posted October 17, 2022 Share Posted October 17, 2022 I bet you are right Kurt, not much effort in "playing" stupid though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gearhead1968 Posted October 18, 2022 Share Posted October 18, 2022 The bids are up to $1275.00 now 20 hours ago, KASTAUFFER said: I bet the seller is "playing stupid" on his description of the helmet to make buyers think they are buying it from some garage sale picker. Kurt That is exactly what I was thinking. The bid is up to $1275 now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted October 18, 2022 Share Posted October 18, 2022 Looks like the Certificate of Merit vanished? Can't find it in current or closed listings from bigp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AirMechanic Posted October 22, 2022 Share Posted October 22, 2022 The fake sold for $1,535.00. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AirMechanic Posted October 22, 2022 Share Posted October 22, 2022 The USMC 1st Nicaraguan Campaign Medal he has for sale is another fake too. If you can’t tell from the medal itself, just follow the bread crumbs… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AirMechanic Posted October 22, 2022 Share Posted October 22, 2022 Feedback left by him to the seller. Then two photos of the original crimped brooch medal that he purchased. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AirMechanic Posted October 22, 2022 Share Posted October 22, 2022 Auction photos of the crimp brooch medal. Note the wear pattern highlighted by the red arrows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AirMechanic Posted October 22, 2022 Share Posted October 22, 2022 The medal he has listed now. The thicker suspension of the crimp brooch medal was ground off and a ring suspension was soldered on. The medal was artificially aged, as the front is a bit darker than the original crimp brooch medal. Note the same wear pattern highlighted with red arrows as the crimp brooch medal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CinamonToastCrunch Posted October 23, 2022 Share Posted October 23, 2022 Aged ribbon, slight changes in coloration on the ribbon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MMcollector Posted October 23, 2022 Share Posted October 23, 2022 This fake medal has over $1,100+ in bids. The number is added to and old reproduction. 💯% fake. Avoid like the plaque. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MMcollector Posted October 23, 2022 Share Posted October 23, 2022 Marine Corps 1912 Nicaraguan campaign medal number #305 added this if the number is searched online in the future, hopefully this will pop up for the buyer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AirMechanic Posted October 23, 2022 Share Posted October 23, 2022 Please see my post in the Decorations/Valor Awards section of this forum under the post WWI DSC/Navy Cross. I’ve posted the auction photos of the original crimp brooch medal that he bought and then photos from his current auction for comparison. He sold a fake WWI DSC today as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unclegrumpy Posted October 23, 2022 Share Posted October 23, 2022 MMcollector, thanks for posting this! Given the recent insightful work on spotting fake medal engraving, by our most excellent and esteemed Medals and Decorations Moderators...Dave and Kurt...with the assist of many highly knowledgeable Forum Members...maybe we need a similar ongoing thread on spotting fake campaign medals? This medal would make a perfect starting point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swabbie Posted October 23, 2022 Share Posted October 23, 2022 Here is the reverse of the fake. Two easy observations: The last link is incomplete - not fully formed. Dead giveaway. The anchor crown and flukes are not correct. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tolzer Posted October 23, 2022 Share Posted October 23, 2022 If this was the real deal #305 it would have been issued to Cpl William Hayes, and would have been issued on 22-Nov-1914. Arrived at Corinth, Nicaragua 4-Sept-1912 via the USS California. Was part of Colonel Pendleton's relief, or re-enforcements, arriving in Nicaragua to help put down the insurgency. To help provide security, and to provide a show of force, was stationed at several camps in Nicaragua. Participated in bombardment, assault, and capture of fortifications. Hopefully some of those bidders will find the comments posted. https://www.ebay.com/itm/325390027382?hash=item4bc2c1ca76:g:sHsAAOSwomVjUFOt&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAsHbNmQ2HX5Dvg%2Bg3QKdSqaAMsyVaVHe7fH9P8EQPwYVK9cMMWjKtOhS8Q7rOCYDTmVjSxXlApccihttH5JsJ9zQni93Xtm2wFKFb5Ef5sZMLLJ43P5UUINAcYm86ty66RaV5pBUyWi%2BWais97%2BmQ%2BuxIO30w%2BUqCDUbj8Z%2Ba0LoWDz8Qlwqa0dmpdcgubTmkY78pRASuZqz%2B4uAumd4iB8zu%2FMlX6nhRvRm%2BCqVBxdMU|tkp%3ABk9SR9yqnuCAYQ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted October 23, 2022 Share Posted October 23, 2022 Another bigp63 fake. Anything he sells should be avoided like the plague! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted October 23, 2022 Share Posted October 23, 2022 I just merged the two threads. It's 100% revealing that he bought a medal on eBay and then converted it. Shameful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manayunkman Posted October 23, 2022 Share Posted October 23, 2022 On 10/22/2022 at 12:43 AM, AirMechanic said: The medal he has listed now. The thicker suspension of the crimp brooch medal was ground off and a ring suspension was soldered on. The medal was artificially aged, as the front is a bit darker than the original crimp brooch medal. Note the same wear pattern highlighted with red arrows as the crimp brooch medal. What a clever guy!! Dont stand too close to this fellow if you know him because karma is coming after him and you don’t want to be in the way. And Air Mech thanks for doing the work to find this out, extraordinary really. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AirMechanic Posted October 24, 2022 Share Posted October 24, 2022 Here is the fake WWI DSC that he sold today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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