I originally wrote this article 30 years ago for a military collectors newsletter that I published. It has occured to me that many of the ideas and techniques described here are just as valid for collectors of duck decoys, potholders, tractor seats or anything else, as they are for German military collectibles. I hope you will find it enlightening and fun!

Somewhere there is a line between "getting a good buy" and "ripping off the rube". Where that line lies is beyond the scope of this article. I'll let you decide, and determine which side you want to stay on....

COLLECTING ON A BUDGET

Although most of us build our collections by trading with collectors and dealers, there are many in our fraternity who have been able to put together a very fine grouping of Thrid Reich items by purchasing from noncollectors. Even at this late date there is a vast quantity of all types of militaria in the hands of vets, their families and friends. If you have never made any attempt to contact any of these people, you are perhaps missing out on some very good opportunities. There are many ways to go about finding the goodies.

First, and most obvious, is by asking around amoung your friends, relatives, co-workers etc. This won't take long to do, and before long you will know if there is anything out there, after that, it takes a little more work and effort. The best bet is to advertize in some of the local newspapers and neighborhood publications such as the trade sheets. I've been at this for quite some time and have met with some successes, and I can assure you that it has very definately been worthwhile. Over the years I have learned a couple of things about this type of collecting and I would like to pass on some tips to any of you who want to try it.

First and formost, NEVER NEVER use the word "NAZI" in an advertisement! That will guarantee some calls from screwballs and weird-o's! Also, I suggest you "buffer" your ad by requesting other types of militaria, whether you collect it or not. A good example is WANTED: War Souvenirs from Japan, Germany and Italy" or "U.S. ,Japanese and German war relics of all types wanted". By including the other countries you appear to be a military collector and not a "Nazi sympathizer".

When you receive a phone call try to get as much information about the items as possible. Ask about where the caller got them and verify that they didn't come from the flea market, caus' if they did - they're probably going to be junk or fakes: Remember that you are talking to someone who probably knows nothing about this type of thing, so when the old lady on the phone tells you she has a "Nazi Colonel's cross with "Der Deutschen Mutter" on it, don't break into hilarious laughter. You are going to find that people have some strange ideas about these things and the best way to handle it is to take them seriously now and laugh later when you have the goodies.. After you have got enough information to determine that they have something worth going after, try to make an appointment to see it. It is very important to make the appointment as soon as possible, don't waste a lot of time on the phone getting more details, get them to let you come see it, and if it can be that same day, all the better. As the saying goes--strike while the iron is hot-- the longer you wait the less your chances.

Many people will ask you about the value of items on the phone. My advise is NEVER EVER price an item before you have seen it, because the chances of misidentification are too great and that can blow it for you. If you thought it was a Knight's cross and its only a 2nd class IC, then you've made a fool of yourself and have to try to explain your "slight" error which is almost impossible. When you visit the person with the goodies, be patient and if they want to tell war stories, let them, this will get you on a friendly basis. Offer NO information about the items, but if they ask, answer the questions with a minimum of info.. The more you tell them the more they are going to think the item is worth, and I presume you will want to try to buy it as cheaply as possible. If there are several items, try to avoid priceing them individually and make an offer for the group. Of course it is better if you can get them to tell you what they want for the stuff, but you will find that they usually will tell you that they don't know anything about it and want you to make an offer. Naturally, I suggest you make that offer as low as possible, but try to make it high enough so they will accept your first offer. It is very bad to have to raise the offer because this will give them the idea that you are holding out on them and can make it even more difficult for you to pry the items loose. IF THEY EVER GET THE IDEA THAT THE ITEMS ARE WORTH SOME "REAL" MONEY" you're sunk. I don't wish to sound like a con-man but thats the way it works.

Some final thoughts: Always take cash, not checks, and when I make an offer I take the cash out of my wallet so they can see it (you sly devil you!). Never show a special interest in any one particular item, look at all of them equally, if you stare to hard at one piece, they might decide to let you have the rest and keep the one you really want. If you are going to run a "display ad" the sports section is the best. Never mention another collector to them, try to give the impression that you're the only source of cash around. And finally, prepare yourself for a lot of useless phone calls. If you're lucky, you might get something good from one in every ten calls and something great in one in a hundred. Patience is what it takes, but if you hang in there and keep trying, something will eventually turn up and it will all have been worth it....

This article was written to help militaria collectors acqurie pieces for their collections. The author does not believe in, or support the ideals represented by these collectibles.