RMEAV8R Posted September 5, 2023 #1 Posted September 5, 2023 Hello, I noticed this item for sale locally and want to see if there was anyone with expertise with this sort of item. To me it looks authentic, but I have no experience with this. Thanks in advance for any help.
Rakkasan187 Posted September 5, 2023 #2 Posted September 5, 2023 This is a complete bogus 4th Reich fantasy item. There were many variations of these SS Solbuchs made in the 70s and 80s. You can find these in the Delta International Catalogs and WW2 LTD. Catalogs. Save your money. Leigh
Proud Kraut Posted September 5, 2023 #3 Posted September 5, 2023 Welcome to the WMF! I concur with Leigh. I even do not understand the purpose of this booklet. Parts of the printed text (with at least 4 typos I have seen) make no sense to me. Not my focus of collecting but IMHO this doesn´t look like an official document to me.
Rakkasan187 Posted September 5, 2023 #4 Posted September 5, 2023 There are some very good reference books that describe in detail German Identity Documents, Soldbuchs and other official documents. Recommend that you invest in some of the reference books and study the types of documents before you make a costly mistake. Ray and Josephine Cowdery wrote the below reference book and there are other books out there that translate many of the pages in the Soldbuchs. Emilie Caldwell Stewart also wrote and excellent book on the German Wehrpass and Solbuchs.. (See attached images) Leigh
RMEAV8R Posted September 5, 2023 Author #5 Posted September 5, 2023 Thank you! Exactly the expertise I was hoping to hear from. The Seller also has another similar with a supposedly authentic Wound Badge. It's shameful for these to be passed off as "rare finds."
Preppy Picker Posted September 5, 2023 #6 Posted September 5, 2023 They never made anything that looks like this. Good thing you checked here first. Lots of people fall for these.
RMEAV8R Posted September 5, 2023 Author #7 Posted September 5, 2023 33 minutes ago, Preppy Picker said: They never made anything that looks like this. Good thing you checked here first. Lots of people fall for these. Absolutely. I have no idea if the seller thinks it's authentic or not.....just staying out of it.
Rakkasan187 Posted September 5, 2023 #8 Posted September 5, 2023 9 minutes ago, RMEAV8R said: Absolutely. I have no idea if the seller thinks it's authentic or not.....just staying out of it. The seller may tell you every day to Sunday that HIS items are real, no question, and the "EXPERTS know nothing... So, be ready for that answer.. More times than not the Seller doesn't want to know his items are fake or at least admit they are fake to off load them, and he may continue to pawn off his goods until someone takes the bait and loses money... Caveat emptor Leigh
Rakkasan187 Posted September 6, 2023 #9 Posted September 6, 2023 Here are a few more examples of the fantasy ID booklets. The imagination goes on endlessly.. There are books for SS, Luftwaffe, Heer, I believe I recall seeing some Kreigsmarine and others. The first ID booklet sold at auction in Tallahassee FL. The selling price was between $80-150.00.. Wouldn't be surprised if the 135th SS Gulaschkanone Company (With rare "Guten Appetit" cuff title) was out there as well... (I'm being sarcastic but, again, know what you are purchasing beforehand). Best regards Leigh
Preppy Picker Posted September 6, 2023 #10 Posted September 6, 2023 What are they even supposed to be? Some kind of ID or Soldbuch? This stuff is way too fancy and too sugary. I mean the one looks like a Roger Bender book cover. Am I right? And here y’a go
Rakkasan187 Posted September 6, 2023 #11 Posted September 6, 2023 PP, Nailed it... On the Cover of a Roger James Bender, Hugh Page Taylor Book... Leigh
RMEAV8R Posted September 6, 2023 Author #12 Posted September 6, 2023 The photos I posted were in Jacksonville FL, the seller wanted $300. It's no longer up and I'm not not a buyer and not interested enough to ask about it.
Preppy Picker Posted September 6, 2023 #13 Posted September 6, 2023 1 hour ago, RMEAV8R said: The photos I posted were in Jacksonville FL, the seller wanted $300. It's no longer up and I'm not not a buyer and not interested enough to ask about it. That’s the usual asking price for these.
Bryan Gooden Posted September 6, 2023 #14 Posted September 6, 2023 These would have fooled me. Were they "aged" like these when new? I wonder how many people bought these before you could easily find out they're fake on the internet.
Rakkasan187 Posted September 6, 2023 #15 Posted September 6, 2023 1 hour ago, Bryan Gooden said: These would have fooled me. Were they "aged" like these when new? I wonder how many people bought these before you could easily find out they're fake on the internet. People that don't know or do research before stepping into the deep end of the Third Reich collecting pool, it has been going on for years. These booklets are nothing new, been around for years at gun shows but now have moved to on-line venues,,, they have just been expanded on from Soldbuchs and embellished, aged artificially and each one given a WOW factor to lure in those not knowing.. Leigh
Gear Fanatic Posted September 7, 2023 #16 Posted September 7, 2023 See, this is why I jumped into US collecting because their aren’t as many scumbags like these guys who want to sell fake fantasy items to new innocent collectors, I starting to jump into TR now but with basic stuff because I feel I am a more experienced collector at this point. Everything everyone else has said is true, know what you’re looking for and find references, invest in books, that is why I got lucky, I all the great books from older more experienced collectors. Just take things with a grain of salt, good luck collecting!😉 Gear Fanatic
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