World War II German Helmets - Get the Best Originals Here

Here's our old Pick Up Truck in the Hendersonville Christmas Parade, that's my youngest son, Trey (4) in the window there.

Issue #1 Champagne Runic Decals on M42 CKL helmets

Issue #2 Black Allgemeine SS out of the Woodworks

Issue #3 General Update & Rambling On

Issue #4 Sometimes I have to keep 'em

Issue #5 History, that's what is all about!

Issue #6 December 2009

Wow, what a year!!! 

We are getting to that time of the year where I like to take a little time between Christmas shopping, the honey do list, and shuttling the three kids from one event to another, to take stock of the year.   Well, needless to say, 2009 has been one crazy year.   The Economic challenges here in the US and throughout the World have been daunting.   I, like many of you have experienced many highs and lows.  The lows were back in the early part of the year where I was in a survival mode, as many of you were.   The irony I find is that my WWII German Helmet business has had the best year yet since beginning operation in October of 2005.   I have scored some amazing pieces this year. I am not trying to brag or be grandiose but some of the helmets that have come my way have been mind blowing.  After all, I am a collector at heart and a history buff.   That passion is what drives my WWII business.   Sure, it contributes to taking care of the family but for me, I love these WWII helmets and various items such as the Totenkopfs.   Some of the pieces that immediately come to mind are ones like the Allgemeine SS M1935 helmet.  Holy cow, the more I think about that helmet the more I realize just how special and unique that piece is.   That may be the only surviving example of an actual factory issued Allgemeine helmets in the World.   In hand that one was just incredible.    Another one of note was the M1940 Heer Normandy Camouflage helmet that was Vet captured at Normandy in the very first few days of the fighting and came from Omaha Beach.   That one led me to Florida to meet the Veteran himself.   What an incredible experience to meet and talk about his experience and to get the history behind that helmet.   Among other notable pieces were the fantastic DD M35 Waffen SS Reissue piece, an M1942 Heer Normandy Camo direct from the widow of the Vet, an M35 Feldherrnhalle helmet, a woodwork M40 Heer Normandy Camo from Tennessee, and a several really great Single Decal Waffen SS helmets.  It was a banner year with regard to finding great pieces.   

In total, I sold 127 German Helmets in 2009.   Not sure how I am going to top these finds in 2010, but the exciting thing is 2010 is just around the corner.  I feel confident that more great pieces will come down the pipe in 2010.   My web traffic also hit some record highs during 2009, and of course, this did contribute to finding many of the great helmets.   I have been seeing an average of 15,000 to 18,000 visits per month on the website.  That is just incredible, and it continues to grow.   In a year where full of poor economic news and just miserable trends reported in virtually all industries, I sold a record number of helmets and items.   I found that pricing did retreat some on my common items, but the more unique and desirable pieces held their value really well.   All in all, I approach 2010 with optimism!

One last note on this, the 65th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, let's remember and give thanks to our Veteran's that fought bravely during this epic Battle.  The Soldiers endured hardships that we can't imagine in our modern lives, extreme cold, shortages of food and supplies, loss of life on a daily basis.   For those of you interesting in learning more about the Battle of the Bulge, I can recommend a really great book by Alex Kershaw, The Longest Winter.   By the way, I don't know Alex and this is not a paid endorsement by any stretch, just me recommending one of my all time favorite books.   

Here's a link if you decide to pick up a copy.    http://www.thelongestwinterbook.com/home.html 

Just a great read about the Battle of the Bulge and I find Alex Kershaw to be one of my favorite WWII Historians.   

I wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2010!

Dave 

Authentic German
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Payment Methods and Shipping   

Cash, Check, Money Order, or Credit Card through PayPal.  

There will be a 4.0% fee for PayPal purchases. For PayPal, simply provide me with your e-mail address and the item(s) you want and I will forward you a PayPal invoice.   

SHIPPING 

Items will be shipped after the check clears for items paid with personal checks. 

Shipping/handling within the lower 48 States and Canada will be $15.00.   

I will ship internationally on a quote basis.  I will ship to any country that shipping is available.   Be advised that if you are in a banned country, the risk for customs seizure is yours. 

Please make checks and money orders payable as follows:

Dave Shirlin

100 Cannon Drive

Hendersonville NC 28792

USA