I’ve had this shield for a great length of time. As you can see it’s maker marked on the reverse all of the prongs are intact. A bit of rust not too much cancer . Any input would be appreciated

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Not sure if this is the right place for this but never mind.

I’m not in the habit of recommending dealers but this one is an exception for various reasons. I realise that it’s unlikely a majority of members will be close enough to visit but it can be of general interest also.

The shop is called "Pastimes" located on Lower Park Row, Bristol, England.

I’ve been visiting this shop for about 40 years and it’s hardly changed in that time (including the owner!). The thing I like most is that it’s one of those places you can have a good dig around and find all sorts of interesting items. It’s an untidy shop, but in a good way - you never know what you might find! It’s surprising how much stuff can fit into one small room. The owner has being running the place single-handed for all this time. This is an ‘old school’ shop and has never had it’s own web page.

I think it’s a blessing that such shops still exist but they are increasingly rare, even in the UK. This is one of very few to have survived several decades. With that in mind, I don’t mind sometimes paying perhaps a little more for certain items. I know some view dealers as over-priced. Some certainly can be, but this one continues more due to the interest and passion of it’s owner. It’s the place I bought my first German Iron Cross about 35 years ago. Even though I’m not collecting so much militaria these days, I can never resist the urge to have a look there and see what’s new. Back in the days before eBay it was the place I would go to buy but also sell anything from my collection I didn’t want to keep.

I’ve included photographs taken outside on my last visit in summer 2016 and a video screenshot from my visit back in 2011. The owner has since removed the huge pile of wartime related books and magazines from the floor which had been there about 20 years!

Whilst eBay is a good source for collectors, it’s still nice to actively visit shops, flea markets and shows.

It will be a sad day when this shop closes.

If anyone is lucky enough to be in the area, please bear in mind that it’s closed on Wednesday’s and lunchtimes from about 13:00-14:00 if I recall correctly!

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Need some more information about the tis set is it a good one the trousers is nicly marked the smock not always difficult items

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Sorry if this has already been raised.

I felt compelled to highlight this one I spotted on eBay UK today.

The listing title is "WW2 British Helmet - Desert Rats - 1940 - With Liner and Chinstrap".

It has a £50 starting price with one bid already. It just goes to show you can sell almost anything on eBay.

Just maybe… if you were a re-enactor and wanted something which looked genuine then it might be worth having, but £50, really?

Ebay seems to have a steady supply of so called 8th Army desert rat helmets.

Check these pictures for yourself. In my view the desert rat badge painted on the outside is a recent addition. Notice how the inside of the helmet is far worse condition that the outside, another indication the outside has been repainted. The ‘texture’ on the painted outside is probably a result of the same rust you see on the inside. The shell, liner and strap are no doubt from the WW2 period, but that’s about it. I’ve noticed there are several eBay sellers who have developed a technique of making paint look aged or certain ‘patina’ by giving it a kind of thin dark laquer ‘wash’ - some more subtle than others.

There are plenty of un-issued South African made desert issue helmets around so it baffles me why anything with desert paint fetches such high prices. I bought my South African version from a trader at a UK air show in the 1980’s for £14. It was in almost mint un-issued condition and he had several others too. There was even traces of the original brown packing paper stuck to the liner. Shame I didn’t buy more to keep!

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Hi, I have heard from some German members on some forums that the Finnish "colored" plastic (762×39) magazines in which were spread around parts of Germany in the 90’s after being surplussed in Finland and Finnish sellers being at German Militaria shows having them.

Anyone here have or had any? Have a nice collection but knew an ex-depot worker and folks that bought in the 90’s. Always searching for more and even pics of specimens.

They were very weak and too weak for use, and alot were ugly test colors, but, I’m a magazine collector so are cool to me. The Greens (very common version) were the strongest of them all in the 80’s so they went into a 2nd phase a many more were made, but they also had issues until eventually the Black waffle version was made (with Large side loop) and is still in use to this day.

Hope to hear some info, or, Message or email me if you own some of these, offering MUCH more than they sold for on the surplus market.

hi everyone

im just wondering if people can post there own pictures of there real DAK rings?
any pictures that would help would be great!

cheers

Although I am not really a helmet collector, I have a few. Ever since watching "The Rat Patrol" as a youngster, I have always liked these and this one seemed to tick all of the boxes for me.
It is a smaller size but that is of no real consequence as I do not intend to wear it.
It is not here yet but the seller provided decent photos.
Ralph.

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