UBB.threads Forums General Interest Community Center Value of Hindenburg Parts

Any idea on the value of parts of the Hindenburg? My Uncle's uncle took part off a scrap truck before it was to be destroyed. There is about 6 pieces of metal frame the size of the spacebar on your computer and a piece of the the outer part (not sure what it's called) but it almost feels like tinfoil about the size of a TV remote. I don't think there is any reason for him to lie unless the story got twisted at some point. They do show fire damage with all blackened areas from the fire and parts of the edges of the outer part are darker in color with bubbling from heat..... I haven't had much luck with any information...

Do a web search for "Hindenburg relics". Several items are listed, along with framed photos of the Hindenburg with a small piece of original strut attached for $199

Main issue with something like that is provenance .. How are you ever going to convince anyone scrap metal came from the Hindenburg ?
It doesn't matter who said what or who notarized what saying that they picked this scrap up straight from the field 4 hours after it happened, no one is going to believe it without actual proof. And in this matter, would be very difficult to have actual proof, short of a period pic with an identifiable piece being picked up from the smoking wreckage.
So the value is nothing, unless you can convince someone of its connection to Hindenburg ,,, Then it is worth what they are willing to pay for it.

100% agree with Skynyrd......
People lie, even Uncles/dads,granddads, mothers/sisters, etc.

You forgot militaria dealers, they're really good at it.

yeah, had alot of that nonsense over at this weekends TMCA show

Try going to Lakehurst New Jersey as they have a small museum there..with guided tours. take a piece of the metal with you..and if your fortunate enough..you may be able to compare it. Other than that...as the other Gents have commented..it will be a hard sell.

Thanks for everyone's help. My uncle has the material so not my call to go there. It does feel older. For some reason some of the medal has some green paint? Any idea for that?

If indeed H related, green paint could have been some kind of primer or rust inhibitor, or possibly anti-static. I imagine the frame was pretty much left roughed out and covered from the inside only in places where it was visible to passengers. Must have been a fascinating vessel, I'd like to see some detailed schematics. Its sheer bulk is probably something that we cannot comprehend, having very little to compare it to.

There must have been tons of scrap left over in the wake of the disaster, it would stand to reason that a portion still survives.

Here is a great link to some rare photos of before and after the disaster..including pics of the funeral in NY city...for the crew members who died in the disaster. The navy hanger is still there with a small memorial on the crash site in the middle of the field. An empty place with nothing much to see. The base is still being actively used today by the Navy. Still tons of history of just being there. Regards Larry
http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2012/05/75-years-since-the-hindenburg-disaster/100292/

That would explain the green paint. It must of been amazing to see the ship. Why don't they recreate the hindenburg like they are doing with the titanic....

Are the people with flags members of the german american bund?

kb,,

"In New York City, funeral services for the 28 Germans who lost their lives in the Hindenburg disaster are held on the Hamburg-American pier, on May 11, 1937. About 10,000 members of German organizations lined the pier."

You can bet some of the 'German organizations' that lined the pier were Bund members!

Nice link Sieg, I knew it wasn't the maiden voyage but I didn't know she made a dozen cross Atlantic trips.
Very depressing to watch such a majestic vessel perish so quickly, and so close to docking. Looks like a few people got crushed by the flaming wreckage as they tried to flee and another just barely cleared, never saw that clip before.

Thanks Doug....I feel this link brings more into perspective..than what is over played on video of a flaming crash. From the construction all the way to the funeral. The photos are exquisite and timeless! Regards Larry

Pictures are worth a thousand words kicks in now!

I just stumbled onto an alleged 1948 CIA interview of Heinrich Mueller, ex Gestapo chief, who makes some pretty interesting statements about the Hindenburg - Odd thing is, of course, is that he was never captured or even positively confirmed dead ,, This interview allegedly happened post war in Switzerland, but recently it was claimed he never survived the war and is buried in a Jewish mass grave !
Pretty sordid tale and I don't know what to make of it ...
Some good info otherwise though, including a pic I've never seen before as she comes in on a landing approach to meet her fate




http://www.airships.net/hindenburg/disaster

Is there anymore information in the CIA interview that you could share with us concerning the Hindenburg?

Cool photo seen above the Houses. Great link you provided!

Don't know whats floating on the web, just heard about it yesterday for the 1st time ,,, Bound to be a full pdf if you look hard enough.
There is a book of the full "interview"
http://www.amazon.com/Gestapo-Chief-Interrogation-Heinrich-Muller/dp/0912138629

Some interesting reviews.
Apparently, it is an open question whether or not the whole thing is a forgery, "Hitler Diaries" type thing.