UBB.threads Forums Edged Weapons Welcome - New Collectors Start Here Back briefly; selling and moving on - need advice

Hey guys, it's been over a decade since I last visited. It's good to see some of the "old" names around here, and also some new faces to move things forward. I don't want my post to be seen as a "poor me" sympathy grab - I'm not "venting", just telling y'all what happened so that you understand the whys and wherefores.

Between getting married and my business flourishing, I "dropped out" of the hobby around 15 years ago. Time marches on, and things don't always work out the way one might hope or expect. In my own particular case, my wife filed for divorce and won an impossibly large settlement in court. The business was bled dry and could not survive, and I barely survived bankruptcy by selling just about everything that she didn't take (which included my life's savings). I count myself fortunate to have been awarded my own car and my collection of militaria, both of which I owned before the marriage. The love-less marriage left me with no son to either carry on the family name or, sadly, to whom I could pass down my collection. I was able to land a job with one of my clients, a large IT company here in the Seattle area, so I'm S L O W L Y digging my way out from under all the rubble and beginning again, but it seems like it may be a good time to sell off the German edged "weapons" portion of my collection. There are a few other non-dagger items that I'll likely part with as well: German KM stopwatches and binoculars, MG34 and MG42 parts kits, a demilitarized (but authentic) Thompson SMG, "nazi" saxophone in its case (yes, the Reich had at least one state-sponsored jazz band), and various other items.

Interestingly, some of the items, a Henckels SS ground presentation and a Water Protection dagger, simply "disappeared" during the divorce. I've made a few attempts to sell some of the remaining individual pieces, but many of the attempts have ended messily ("Do you mind if I take it apart?"), if not in outright tragedy ("Ohmigosh, I think it was already like that when you gave it to me" - it actually wasn't). I can't count the number of times I've been told that "[I'm] a dealer, so [I] obviously can't pay 'regular' prices," or been told that "[I'll] broker a deal for you, all I ask is that you give me [a particular dagger] and the buyer will never know."

So. At long last, we arrive at the crux of the post. I could use your collective help in deciding:

• Whether to sell at all
• Whether to sell the collection as a whole, or individual pieces
• Approximate value for the collection or individual pieces (remember, I've been absent for 15 years - I'll bet values have changed)
• How to prevent gun-show morons from damaging my pieces (disassemble myself and take photos?)
• Whether any of you have single, attractive sisters my age (this is meant to be a joke)

I'll post a series of quick photos just to give y'all an idea of what the collection contains. I can certainly take more detailed photos, but between work and school (now that I'm a "regular Joe Employee", I have to worry about things like promotions) this might take a few days.

Any advice is appreciated, even if it's not actually acted upon. Thanks in advance, everyone!

Axe and SS: I believe the SS may be ground Röhm based on the smaller-sized logo...

Hitler Youth knives...

Kappmesser...

Random kappmesser blades - there are over a dozen, some in great condition, some less-than great.

Watch and stopwatch. Both work. There's also a cased set of binoculars (Leitz, 7x50, beh, KM eagle stamped on binos and case) not pictured.

NPEA and chained NSKK: the NSKK was damaged by a potential buyer (note the bent clip with the plating flaked off). The brown goo on the blade is grease or cosmoline or something - it's not rust.

SA full Röhm inscription. There's oil on the blade and a small bit of rust just below the marker's mark. Aside from the rusty area, the blade is actually in pretty nice shape with cross-graining intact.

Postal protection and RLB EM...

Lastly, the RLB leaders. Last photo is the RLB EM maker - I didn't have enough room in the previous post.

So there you have it: the bulk of the collection laid out before you. I'm not in a TERRIBLE rush to sell, though I certainly don't have the time to dedicate to the hobby any longer. And the lack of an heir is also a contributing factor. I've also given some though to donating some or all to a museum, but at this point I'm just no certain what to do.

It's been a little disheartening to have encountered the jerks and whackos at the gun shows who've caused damaged. Stripped and mushed screws were disappointing, and the jerk that banged the hell out of my NPEA and dropped it while taking it apart should have stabbed with the disassembled blade. But hey - I guess that'll teach me to be so cavalier about letting morons touch it.

I'd like to thank Vern for taking the time to reset my account so that I could log back in; he was more than patient (and Vern, the emails never showed up in any folder of my Outlook client). Looking forward to hearing thoughts and suggestions.

-Stephen

High Stephen, long time no see.

My advice would be to list the items singly in our For Sale area with good photographs and any faults disclosed. To do this, get a Premium Membership. See the little "Upgrade?" box at the top right of the screen ? click on that and it will tell you how.

A second possibility is to consign them to a dealer. It costs 20% - 30% in fees, but you do not have to do the work and they often get good prices. If you want to know more, email me [email protected]

Dave.

PS - Museums don't display Nazi daggers - they keep them for a while then sell them quietly.

Divorce laws have to change.

Yes forget Museums! You main problem is you live in Seattle. My son is there and its unbelievable how they do things. Your very lucky you got anything!!

Last year we had to sell items from our friends collection who had passed.. He had some nice daggers etc. We had tables at the MAX show checked around what the prices were during set up etc. Then not wanting to take anything back we set the price a hair lower and sold most daggers by the end of the first day... Disassemble a dagger?! They can disassemble after they buy it!

- * So your guy took it apart and this big inspection [damaged it] and then didn't buy it!!! He really needs some therapy!

Sounds like this stuff caused you a lot of grief. Move it now,, while you can! IF you can't go to a show you can try here as Dave mentioned to give the members first shot.. Then really auctions are doing the best right now but require patience!. And you can always consign and let the dealer work for you..., good luck.......,G.

I agree with Dave about listing singly when time permits. If there isn’t a terrible rush or hurry then take your time and consideration when and before listing. Consigning is an option, but it has a price to pay. It all depends on your own best judgment and how you most feel comfortable. Don’t let anyone make you feel pressured into selling if you’re not ready, or at a price you’re really uncomfortable with. Good luck, let us know how it goes.

Steve
Very sad to say, but all that nice stuff and ZERO interest on this site says it all. This site is dead. Got any rings ??, a possibility.
Better go elsewhere to sell. Sad, but true.
Good luck
Ed

Gravity knives and HJ look interesting , any idea of price on take down Gravity ?