It's important to do your research and know the characteristics of the military collectibles you're interested in. That'll help you be certain that you're getting the real thing. Fortunately, doing the research is actually pretty easy.

There are lots of excellent books out there on just about every military subject imaginable. Most people stick to a relatively small area of research, and become experts on it, and there are books that can help.

In fact, there are volumes devoted to just helmets from WWII, just uniforms for the US during that period, and many other niche subjects. These books will help you identify the items you're most interested in and will help you learn about their history. You'll find information about identifying markings and other important features.

Search under Collectibles --> Militaria --> WWII (1939 - 1945)

One of the top clues that an item isn't the real thing is price. If a niche item is popular or extremely rare, you're not likely to see a real auction for it often. When you do see it sold, it'll be pretty expensive. For instance, original jumpsuits from the US Army Airborne are extremely hard to find. By the close of the auction, they run into the thousands. If you see something of this sort offered for less, it's almost certainly a fake.

You'll pay more for German items from both World Wars than you will for US militaria, British or French collectibles, or many other militaries. German collectibles are more popular, and thus priced higher. To determine what a good price for any given item might be, watch a few auctions before you bid.

See what the average sale price is. Remember to use variations when you search, too.

Minor typos, variants on a word, or slang could bring up an auction that other people haven't seen yet. Use an auction sniping service to make sure your bid gets in, too. It might not seem fair, but almost everyone else is using one, and bidding by hand on a hot item can be pretty tricky. Plus, you don't want to drive up the price inappropriately - everyone's after a good deal.

Remember that you might run across sellers offering reproduction militaria or items from another war as something they're not. Fortunately, doing your research (which is fun, anyway) can help you find these quickly and easily. Ask careful questions if you're not sure, and don't be taken by what looks like a good deal.

In general, if something looks too good to be true, it's because it is! Remember to be realistic about what you can expect to find, and know the rarity of the item you want. Also, don't bid during media trends - they'll drive prices up. They're a great time to sell, however!

Militaria Collecting Books to consider

	Warman's World War II Collectibles: Identification and Price Guide List Price: $24.99 Sale Price: $18.99 You save: $6.00 (24%)
	Description Global significance of World War II still echoes in many political and social situations around the world. Explore the collecting category Hollywood and the literary world are recognizing in multi-million dollar movies, television miniseries and historical books...

	INTERNATIONAL MILITARIA COLLECTORS GUIDE (International Militaria Collector's: The Guide) List Price: $33.99 Sale Price: $22.74 You save: $11.25 (33%)
	Description This fascinating guide to collecting Militaria has been produced in conjunction with the Editorial team of the Armourer magazine, which itself is the market leading international magazine distributed to Militaria and Arms collectors and enthusiasts worldwide...

	A Collector's Guide to Third Reich Militaria Sale Price: $110.50
	Description Covering all the major areas of Third Reich militaria interest, this book is an excellent introduction to this complex subject. This new edition has been revised to take account of the latest prices and availability...

	Buying and Selling Wartime Collectables: An Enthusiast's Guide to Militaria List Price: $34.95 Sale Price: $27.21 You save: $7.74 (22%)
	Description Collecting militaria is a hobby that has grown enormously in recent years, spurred on especially by the burgeoning interest in the First and Second World Wars, and further fed by films, documentaries and re-enactments...

Related posts:

1. How To Find A German Helmet on eBay
2. WW2 German Swords

www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgYRHDUR5I0

Like in many other cultures, the swords are a symbol more than a fighting weapon. The Third Reich created a large number of swords for various military and paramilitary organizations.

The most popular WW2 German Swords is; German Police Officer Sword and German Army Officer Sword.

Here are an example of the swords taken from Arundel Militaria.

WWII German Police officers sword by the scarce maker Emil Voos, complete with hanger, sword knot and in it's original black painted scabbard.  A really attractive example of a WWII German Police officers sword and a real must have item for the WWII collector. Excellent blade, a few scratches to the scabbard otherwise a lovely example.

WWII German Officers Sword by Carl Eickhorn in its black painted metal scabbard. Comes with a sword knot and would make an excellent display item.

If you search this kind of sword, you could also try to search it on eBay. Here are some example of replica German Kriegmarine Sword what I've found it from eBay.

WW2 German Swords from Amazon..

	German Sword Swagger Stick / Sword Cane 926811 Sale Price: $29.99
	Description 32" German Swagger Stick / Sword Cane All steel Construction Blade Length: 16-3/8" Handle is decorated with 4 golden eagles Blade Material: Stainless Steel Scabbard/Cane: Black Finished Tapered Steel paypal can not be used to pay for this item

	Trademark German Sword with Spiral Handle & Leather Scabbard, 32-Inch List Price: $44.99 Sale Price: $28.60 You save: $16.39 (36%)
	Description Germany was known as a sword making center and German swords saw service all across Europe. This sword features an antique gold finished metal with black grip and hard leather covered scabbard.

	WWII German Lieutenant's Sword with Scabbard List Price: $31.99 Sale Price: $24.99
	Description Stainless steel blade with blood groove, Black composition handle, Brass finish cast metal handle parts, 32" overall, Imitation leather scabbard with brass finish cast metal fittings

	Trademark 32.5-Inch German Sword with Eagle Handle & Leather Scabbard List Price: $44.99 Sale Price: $21.35 You save: $23.64 (53%)
	Description Germany was known as a sword making center and German swords saw service all across Europe. This sword features an antique gold finished metal with black grip and hard leather covered scabbard.

	German Nazi Dress Sword with Hard Metal Scabbard 23.25" Sale Price: $27.88
	Description German NAZI officers dress sword / Overall Length: 23-1/2 / Blade Length: 16" / Blade Material: Stainless Steel / Handle and Scabbard Metal With a Cast Metal Eagle Swastikas on Handle & Sheath

Related posts:

1. WWII German Dagger (Replica)
2. Collecting Militaria from eBay
3. How To Find A German Helmet on eBay

However, as eBay becomes a more popular place to purchase German helmets and other military items, more fakes appear. There are plenty of sellers out there creating fakes. Here's a guide on how to find a German helmet on eBay without getting ripped off.

First, take a look at the chinstrap. Most original German helmets (circa WWII) have no strap. In fact, a single vintage strap could sell for a hundred dollars! Many sellers want the increase in price that a chinstrap brings.

They use modern chinstraps, most produced in Eastern Europe, and attach them to a vintage helmet. There are many fakes already known on the market, and up to half the German helmets sold on eBay have this problem.

If you buy a helmet with a strap, and once it arrives, you find that the chinstrap has a noticable chemical or leather odor - a "new strap smell" - return it. Remember - leather loses its smell after sixty years in storage. Chemical smells may indicate artificial aging substances have been used to fake the look of an old strap on new leather. Liners are also faked commonly. Use the same rules for chinstraps, and look for holes on the fingers of the liner, but not around the forehead.

Camouflage is another thing to look for. Real camouflaged German helmets are extremely rare, particularly the Afrika Korps and Normandy variants. This means that most of the camouflaged helmets on the market are actually fakes.

Unfortunately, it's harder to tell the difference between real camouflage on a helmet and fake paint. If the paint's still in excellent shape, without damage and scratches, there's a good chance it's a fake. After all, a helmet that's been through a war and most of a century is going to have a few scratches and dings.

Chicken wired helmets are also being sold in greater numbers than really exist. Real chicken wire helmets are quite rare, and you should generally avoid buying the ones you find on eBay. If you think a helmet is real, take a second look.

The real thing will be made of either mild steel wire, and will be rusted right to the helmet, or it will be made from zinc wire, which doesn't rust. If you find wire that's just a little bit rusted, or shiny new wire, you're looking at a fake.

This video explaining how the WW2 German Helmet was construct

www.youtube.com/watch?v=VppQ5idpp_w

The decals are another common method of faking the authenticity of a helmet. Good decals raise the value of a helmet a great deal, but there are plenty of sellers putting fake ones on German helmets. A real decal will fit the helmet and will have a metallic look. It'll also be appropriate for the helmet type.

M-35 helmets are fitted with a pair of decals. M-40 helmets sport an eagle decal. M-42 helmets should have no decals at all. Remember that certain WWII German imagery is not allowed on eBay, so if these symbols appear in the photos, you can expect the auction to be closed.

German M40 Helmet

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YOCZaYGLpo

Last, but not least, a rare helmet usually isn't. Unusual helmets, like Waffen-SS helmets and Fallschirmjager helmets are almost always faked when you find them on eBay. Likewise, most black helmets (not made after 1939) and any "original" helmet covers are almost invariably not the real thing. Knowing about these methods of faking a helmet can help you get a good deal without being ripped off.

Various German Helmet stuff found on Amazon

	German Necklace Iron Cross, Helmet, Stick Grenade Sale Price: $9.88
	Description You can collect war memorabilia, or you can wear it! This necklace comes complete with a miniature German helmet, stick grenade and German cross. Unscrew the tip of the grenade and a 1 1/4" stainless steel dagger is hidden inside.

	WWII German Replica Helmet Decals - Eagle List Price: $14.00 Sale Price: $2.36 You save: $11.64 (83%)
	Description These World War II Replica German Helmet Decals are water transferable and are sold in sets of 2. Helmet sold separately.

	German Flying Eagle Neck Knife Sale Price: $8.88
	Description Antique Silver finished metal / 3-3/8" Wing Spanl , 2" Tall / Blade Length: 1" / Blade: Stainless Steel / 30" Metal Ball Neck Chain

	Outlaw German Style Matte Black Half Face Helmet XL Sale Price: $49.00
	Description Fully adjustable chin strap One of a kind shell design Material: ABS Impact Absorbent Liner Comfort Padding WWII German Helmet Shape Comes with Outlaw Helmet Bag DOT Approved

	German Flat Black Biker Novelty Helmet Xx- Large New Sale Price: $34.99
	Description Flat Black German Novelty Helmet Quick Release snap Xx-Large Not D.O.T. Approved Novelty Helmets not for use on any on-road or off-road motor vehicle.

Related posts:

1. Collecting Militaria from eBay
2. WW2 German Swords
3. First US WW2 Uniform