Hope all members of the Forum are doing well. I have been collecting for 25 years and I am thinking its time to start thinning out my collection. Looking for some feedback on valuation - I know some have gone up and some have gone down. Its all WWII - including the Ike in the tanker grouping - but he served in Korea as well. I am attaching pics versus listing. There is one item that I believe is not authentic - its a four panel medic helmet - one of my first purchases in 2002 (I think it was 2002). The one that looks "maroon" - The other two are authentic. I was a medic in the service so I am partial to them. The m1941 is a 327th GIR medic group - its the one next to the 504th PIR Ike / grouping. Already had a question on that one. The painted A2 jackets are all identified.

I had a couple of questions on some of the helmets - still looking for some value estimations - I have my own but I am biased

Paratrooper helmet - wth Inland liner (chin cup was added)

Paratrooper helmet - 517th PRCT - yes its original - I purchased it in 2007 from a Blegian militaria museum while I was living in Europe

Landing helmet - Peleilu - Orange beach

29th Div - I added the net

409th - Bombardier Helmet - the mission count is painted on the back - it includes named headset and 24 hour "watch" - GCT

You have a great collecting eye. A tough decision to think out the collection, however, it is part of the collective cycle. If we are lucky, we stay around long enough to see the items we cherish go to the next generation of caretakers instead of being sold at discount prices at our demise. Best with your downsizing. I am also nearing that point in the cycle.

After my demise I will still be collecting from the grave.

Nice looking collection of items. I assume you are looking for members to give you values on the individual items? That isn't easy with the types of items that you have (Painted helmets, identified A2s, personalized items). Your best money will be from auctioning it off and seeing what 2 competing bidders are willing to give for the items. Anyone who has the money to by the entire collection is not going to pay market price. You are in texas, so the guns should be an easy sell for you locally.

I am not a helmet collector, but I do buy them to resell when I find them. I am always worried when I see any markings.

May be best to get a table at SoS next year, if one is available. Priced fairly, all of that will sell.

You have some nice unique helmets. If I were selling those, I'd go the auction route. And probably Ebay. Start bidding at the minimum you would accept for them.

As a helmet collector myself, I have to say "WOW".

As an appraiser, these are such "One-off's" that finding a value, even a range, is very difficult, and in some ways meaningless, until the rubber hits the road and they are actually sold. Most auction companies will post estimated value ranges for items, but in every auction there are some that under perform and most that hit in the range, and some that surprise everyone.

My experience is that a legitimate dealer will give you 40% of retail and take everything. You can be done with it in 1 day. Get paid in cash. The trick is to know what is retail value. I hope you kept up with what you paid for these items over the last 25 years. You should be able to get your money back and have great memories of the fun you had collecting.

57 minutes ago, Steve Brannan said:

My experience is that a legitimate dealer will give you 40% of retail and take everything. You can be done with it in 1 day. Get paid in cash. The trick is to know what is retail value. I hope you kept up with what you paid for these items over the last 25 years. You should be able to get your money back and have great memories of the fun you had collecting.

I have kept the paperwork - thank goodness. I am leaning to one item at a time and keeping the groupings in tact. Some items will be staying for my kids - who of course want me to keep everyhting but are not interested in managing the collection....so it goes

1 hour ago, KurtA said:

You have some nice unique helmets. If I were selling those, I'd go the auction route. And probably Ebay. Start bidding at the minimum you would accept for them.

I used to do Ebay - still do for car parts fmy classic cars. But the fees and the ebay buyers are a headache - but you have a point on the bid up.

2 hours ago, Titanfan said:

Nice looking collection of items. I assume you are looking for members to give you values on the individual items? That isn't easy with the types of items that you have (Painted helmets, identified A2s, personalized items). Your best money will be from auctioning it off and seeing what 2 competing bidders are willing to give for the items. Anyone who has the money to by the entire collection is not going to pay market price. You are in texas, so the guns should be an easy sell for you locally.

I am not a helmet collector, but I do buy them to resell when I find them. I am always worried when I see any markings.

May be best to get a table at SoS next year, if one is available. Priced fairly, all of that will sell.

Srong points and feedback. Yes looking for some share experience on current valuation. The rifles and guns stay - good idea on SoS