Hi guys! It's been a very tough 8 months for me. Lost my Father last week due to a long illness. A good man, great father and I hope I can make a 85 year run like him..
We've also had to move due to the state finally honoring their agreement to build us a new higher [out of flood water elevation] home..
One of the last things my Father said while he could still speak was,,'go see your friends while you can'...
SO, thats exactly what I did!



Got to say,,this is the first year in almost 20 years of going that the dealers did NOT want me taking photos of their tables!! Many were NOT happy at the turn out, many not happy that they had to lower their prices IF they wanted to make a sale!

Still plenty is things there.. German from head to toe,,helmet to boots was there and all in between!

There was 3 rooms full of tables.. Over a 1000 tables if I'm correct! Nice stuff too like this:

more,,,

just SO much stuff!!,,, and good stuff too!!!

,,more

I mean LOOK at this!! Tables full of this!!

,,, every subject matter of collecting you could imagine was there for collectors!

,, from the inexpensive to the expensive...

,,,Soviet groupings, individual items,,every countries military represented..

[ this all to the same man]

,, Aaahhh, the Wrappers.. and I don't mean Jay Z. and Naz!...

,, pieces everywhere..

,, wish I could have taken the photos I wanted,,there was headgear everywhere. [thanks for letting me take photo]

as I mentioned,,from the cheap to the expensive. From little historical value to something like this...

,, U.S. flags to all countries,,,Germany being the best represented!

2 nice, clean pieces...

more and more.. every aisle, every room,,full!

,, IF the same piece I saw last year,,,,this was 3 times the size!,,guess selling a few at a time was better!

,, more... NICE!!!

,, cases chock full of pieces,,and many at very good prices...

,,something a bit weird.. Christmas ornaments! SS,, Swas.. Painted Glass, fragile. Seemed to be in their original packing/boxes!

couple of pretty cool ones!

another one of the rooms.. Not too many empty tables...

I wish all collectors could come at least once to a SOS or MAX show.. You won't forget it believe me....Table after table after table..

something for everyone!

It was great seeing some of our forum members at the show. We all had a good time and pretty sure all got some good buys! I don't like to mention names as some don't like it. IF you were there and had a good time please join in here and let the other members know..

For me its seeing old friends I haven't seen for a year or more sometimes..
Saw our fearless leader Dave H. He seemed to be doing well.

Of course The famous 'MilitaryNut'Andy. Guys like Andy are the real salt of the earth.. collecting for so many years,,having nothings but small black and white poorly photographed items for reference books,,,don't know how they did it,,and he's always there when you need help/advice,,[and prayers],,thanks Andy.. He had his angels again with him this year,,[sorry no photos

- and 'My cousin Vinny' 18 or so years of going to the shows, Europe, adventures to other states just to see collections we could never afford and sometimes never see again..A sharp guy, good businessman, friend, collector... ]

oh yeah.. Anyone needing display cases,,riker type,,different woods,,metal,,big or small. give this guy a shout and tell him you saw the card on GDc,,maybe you'll get a discount!

OH yeah,,,the ring report! Almost forgot,,,,

Well there was about 5 Honor rings,,all papered by Don.. [sorry no photo of Don this year],,.. Plenty of fake HRs that dealers insisted were real,,but just weren't..

German private purchase,, I'd say a good year. You really had to look. A member here probably got the 'Ring of the Show',,maybe up for ring of the year considering rarity and price.. No matter what anyone says,,a little patience, and a bit of luck and you will eventually find what you want,,and what you want to pay for it. Hopefully those that scored rings will show them here for all to enjoy..

U.S. rings,,especially enamels are skyrocketing in price..

My cousin Vinny grabbed a great lot. Some I'll show here/now.

Rare,,old,,great condition!

,,American Expeditionary Force!

couple really good ones too!

this one a little dear to my heart. Had a friend there,,didn't come back the same,,[now gone].

hey! how did this get in here

A mint , tagged hoard ring..

as I mentioned I really didn't go to buy. Went actually with my wife. Saw my good bros..

Did manage to pick up a few small things I couldn't pass on..
I grab these crosses when I can when reasonably priced. And a sweet tiny HJ ring..

rarely do I see a ring I really need. This was weird.. Mike originally saw on a table.. 2nd day I went by and it was gone!,, only to go 2 rows down and seen it again! Couldn'd remember if I needed it [old age ].. Well good thing I grabbed it because I did.. I have advertisements for all 3 now to go with rings and of course the tankers example I did end up needing.. A little over cleaned and polished,but it will still do for me nicely..

and this one. and small patriotic enamel..
I have this pattern ring,but this a little better condition and in detail. A woman's or child's ring,,real small.
Also had a long meeting with the publisher of book. I'll fill everyone in later about it..

So any others that got mildly lucky to extremely lucky and would like to post their rings here please do and thanks....
Hope you all enjoyed the photos and again,,wish you all could make it some day to the show,,you won't regret it!...,G.

Going to submit one here for the contest to win Gaspares denazified DAK

Thanks for the report G and Mike! Mike that is one hell of a nice rare ss enamel man I'm jealous! Lol

Great Report, nice pics and wunderfull stuff to see.
Thanks friends!

and of Course...congrats to your buys

OH I think Mike wins for best ring buy of the show!!

Vern,, please if you can rename this to 2017!,,shows where my heads at

Thank you Gaspare as always for your help and advice in the SS and luft purchases
It was as always an honor to hear your thoughts on any ring
I would say a fellow who had a Latvian ring but did not know it owes you a good turn
Hope my armbands also make their way back home too
Had a great conversation with bob hritz among many others who have earned a spot in the collectors hall of fame
Thanks to Andy Passaretti for the nesting doll
I returned some lost property to him and he was very grateful
Speaking of max 2018 it is in September next year unless we hear otherwise
There was a bit of an issue evidently concerning one table early on selling KZ items that had to leave evidently had to have a state Constable present during the confrontation
I love the max and like all of you I hope the light of understanding comes to those who do not understand us
It is a wonderful day when you realize you can think for yourself I truly hope these people who worry about the splinters in the eyes of others have the courage to remove the planks in their own one day

got it corrected,,2017! [shows where my head was at!],,anyway


Yes a good show,, great to see the 'regulars', old timers, newbies etc.
here's 2 more shots I didn't see,,,,

and my last shot... Members,,,for those who have never been to either the SOS or MAX,,,. Skip a ring buy or 2,,save a bit more,,,you MUST make it one day...
Over a 1000 tables. Allied and Axis.. Everything you could imagine and more its there. Headgear of every kind,,daggers/swords.bayos, Every type of cloth to the smallest of insignia to Generals tunics.. Every medal and badge too, from the black Wound Badge to Diamond German Cross, Blue Max, you can imagine it,,its there!

So a good year for the Ring buyer.. IF you negotiated hard,,pulled off your walk away bluffs [ ] . The items you needed were there for very fair prices. For us Ring guys,,yes, they were there too,,more than last year. And again, any other good buys your welcomed to add on here anytime..

excellent thanks Gaspare I was there decent show cheers Ryan

hi members
sorry i am a little to late here reporting how the show went in my opinion the show went vwery well seemed every body knew what they had to do and did it as far as public showing up very little people there walking in with any treasures to sell also thursdaY /FRIDAY ATLEAST 15 TABLES EMPTY IN THE LARGE ROOM SAME WITH THE SECOND ROOM BUT THE LAST ROOM I CALL THE SUB HUMAN ROOM SEEMED TO BE ALL THERE THEN SATERDAY MOST TAbles that were empty was filled dont know how that happned but true most of the dealing was among dealers for the past six years i felt very comfortble no problems i managed to pick up four rings one on the rare side it a rarely seen luftwaffe radio operators ring mounted on black onex havnt seen one of these babys in twenty five years hope to get vern to put these rings on in a few days for me did see a magnificent ss honor ring but this dealer was impossible to deal with did see a few more but to worn for me to buy they were there if you looked and believe me i looked did a few sales and a few trades the rings pictured above are great looking gaspare /mike/cousin vinnie god bless you guys im very happy for you all andy militarynut

,,last min additions.. So much insignia, devices,,everything everywhere!

a lot of headgear.. A few years ago helmets were crazy prices.. Well some problems and some cooling off and some can now be got for reasonable prices..

For Andy.....

hi members
2017 max show find smiling skull mitt snakes silver content marked this ring has all the wear in the right places and it speaks to you i would love to have known the history of where this skull was worn in war time please enjoy andy militarynut

For Andy.....

hi members
max show find 2017 mint west wall ring doesn't come any better condition silver content marked enjoy andy militarynut

For Andy.....


max show find large skull mitt snakes silver marked enjoy thanks andy militarynut

VERY nice rings Andy

Another for Andy......

hi members
thanks to vern for the help in getting my last ring on board that was purchased at this years max show it is a luftwaffe radio operators ring eagle mountd on black onex you can make out the eagles claws grasping the lightning bolts well marked inside i havnt seen one of these rare luftwaffe radio operators ring for sale in over twenty years and believe me i cant wait another twenty years im slowly running out of time hope you guys enjoy these rings the show produced many good rings this year gaspare /cousin vinnie/ mike did very well im very happy for them god bless andy militarynut

I believe I see Don (walking up the aisle behind TW)at about time 8:52 on TW MAX Show video!
Ron


quote=Gaspare] OH yeah,,,the ring report! Almost forgot,,,,

Well there was about 5 Honor rings,,all papered by Don.. [sorry no photo of Don this year],,.. Plenty of fake HRs that dealers insisted were real,,but just weren't..

German private purchase,, I'd say a good year. You really had to look. A member here probably got the 'Ring of the Show',,maybe up for ring of the year considering rarity and price.. No matter what anyone says,,a little patience, and a bit of luck and you will eventually find what you want,,and what you want to pay for it. Hopefully those that scored rings will show them here for all to enjoy.. [/quote]

Nice pics Gas ,,, Who knows what the black cross is, 3rd row 2nd from right ?

Tanker,,, Don was there and gave a BIG hello to everyone!! The photo of him did not come out! He had a couple nice pieces on his table too..

The HRs there,,the prices were astronomical! To me a later pattern in good to fine condition to a paper pusher is
just not worth the crazy money! Sorry guys It's just my opinion.. BEST is,,early OR late,,an infamous person of course,,next,,a early pattern in fine or better condition [super especially to a combat guy!].. OR, a nice Transitional ring.. Did not see one real HR box!!

PP rings,,well better than the last few years. Some common ans a couple rare rings.. also some really nice campaign rings.. I got a treat and saw member dak41 s collection of DAK and campaign rings. A wonderful collection! And of course Andys collection of German and US!, again,,just wonderful to see. Andys WestWall ring is in very fine condition,,that photo does NOT do it justice..

Saw one pair of cufflinks in the entire show,,,a really nice RAD pair. Anyone else see any cufflinks? or rings they want to comment on,,,come on,,this is the place to tell or express a opinion.

* Tanker/Ron,,check out my last post on your Bittrich HR topic..

The black cross is for the DDAC (the German Automobile Club) Medical Assistance Service. They set up stations around 300 miles apart to provide medical assistance on the Autobahn.

Thanks Vern, never heard of it.

3rd REICH D.D.A.C. DEUTSCHER-DAMEN-AUTOMOBIL-CLUB (GERMAN WOMEN AUTOMOBILE CLUB)

I was very lucky to find a nice ss ring
Thanks to Gaspare especially for the advice in purchasing it
Also received a matryoshka doll for finding and returning Andy passarettis
iPad from the john
Craziest things happen at max lol

There are quite a number of repros of this ring
As with any premium ss militaria
Germania international has a good fake
Still is almost 800 dollars just for that one
Nice deep stamp
Thin band very silky fit
Jeweler joined in the rear
Most importantly real fired enamel no plastics we tested it ourselves
Really a one of a kind piece
Hope it wins the dak sans swas for ring of the show lol
Showing some pix of the Germania one called the ahnenherbe ring for comparison
Lots of subtle differences not a ring for a rookie
I would never have purchased without Gaspares 1000 percent sure
Do not think it has a thing to do with the ahnenherbe
But even among ss pp enamels a very rare ring
I am honored to be its caretaker for the time being

you know ,,at the bigger military collecting shows there are certain disadvantages when you go to purchase a ring :

you don't always have your favorite equipment.
your 'Smart Phone' starts acting dumb!
A nasty hangover...
Poor lighting..
No Tardys..
Explaining that $600.withdrawal after a $400 ATM take out,,AND then the icing on the cake -,all for a ring,,thats not even for her

Added the badges for the DDAC (Der Deutsche Automobil Club) to the 3rd Reich Badges & Clasps Reference Gallery. You can see them HERE!

Oh yeah,,,
- there is the guy behind you just waiting for you to put the ring down while you go and 'think about it' .



Quickies for authentication:

-Look for stamped in hallmarks..
-If an enamel ring,,test it! , after you ask permission first of course!!
-Look for seam,,look for faults: - lines, dots etc.
-A top view,,,nice thin rear of band? nice and even too?

Know your materials,,Zink , Brass, try and see the difference between Sterling and 800 ,yes super hard to do,,,,but what else you got to do!

A "killer"!
Congrats Mike to this one.
Here a older discussion:
http://phpstack-500133-1583587.cloudwaysapps.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=318637&page=1

Impressive collection, looks like a great resource.

wasnt able to make it this year, maybe next year. did you all meet up at the german festhaus for some drinks and food?

did you get a pic of those RAD cufflinks? cufflinks are not easy to locate in my opinion.

Gaspare and vinny did go to the hofbrau haus
I wanted to see those too lore
But when G and I walked to the front room they were gone
G is right
Buying at shows is tough
You have to know right then
And be on your game
And of course be willing to risk it being a pice of junk at the end of the day
From what I heard however those links were really nice

can't get to them,,,but IF you go to the cufflink topic you will see my pair. The MAX pair were the same,,but polished highlights..
Had a great time at the MAX..

they were just like these..

But,,some one did a little creative highlighting and polishing... They highlighted the outer edge/ring and like the Swas and outer edge of shovel. Wish we had a photo because they did a really good job but still they started out just as these are, standard RADs.

those are nice Gaspare. Thanks for showing the pattern. Never see stuff like that.

come on brother,,,check out the cufflink topic!! its really a killer!