Charlie Snyder's Web Site & The Stuff He Sells

edw52 · Post by **edw52** » 19 Aug 2007 01:20

What is the deal with Charlie Snyder and the stuff he sells? I have looked at a lot of his stuff on that site with horror! It is grossly over priced and I have heard he sells a lot of fakes too.

I would like to hear some background info on him and how he gets away with selling that stuff for soo much money, and how he gets away with selling fakes.

Also I saw something I just don't understand, he is selling a so called "original" 20. Juli 1944 Wound Badge?? Are there not only 24 of these ever awarded?? and he is selling one for $1000! Wouldn't an original Juli 20th wound badge demand so much more?? Have a look.. http://www.snyderstreasures.com/pages/g ... .htm#wound

Maybe on this thread people can post the link to his more expensive or obvious fakes he is selling.

Mark in Cleveland, Tn. · Post by **Mark in Cleveland, Tn.** » 19 Aug 2007 03:37

go to any militaria forum..... type in his name.. and see what kind of reviews this jerk has....
he is one of the biggest frauds since the beginning of mankind

John G. · Post by **John G.** » 20 Aug 2007 17:37

Charlie Snyder has been around for many years here in the states, he used to organize some of the "East Coast" Militaria shows back in the 60s - 80s. He, like most self-appointed demi-gods, unfortunately was seduced by the darkside, and profit & greed replaced any true love of the hobby.....but he's not alone in this......many "a big time dealer" has surcome to the dollar sign.

He has many Stateside and European contacts and deep pockets, so he has a huge inventory.....some of which is real, and some junk. His website prices are crazy, but he will negotiate (at least he used too!)......but his starting price is so high that any "deal" is still retail plus. Then there's the reproductions......some are obvious, but some would (and are intended) to fool the expert...bad news all around. I would only buy something from him I was sure was real and priced reasonably.....it does happen occassionally (I bought many odds & ends from C.S. that I'm still very happy with, but they were "smalls", and years ago, before he was completely under the spell.....).
Unfortunately, there's no law against selling fake stuff if you can't prove intensional fraud (difficult to do....can always say "I thought it was good"....you'd have to prove otherwise). Most fake dealers will "refund your money" if you're dissatisfied (if returned within 48 hrs., etc.) counting on the buyers ignorance....which is what they prey on....

As for the Juli 20, 1944 Wound Badge, the exact number produced in all grades and variations is probably around 100, according to Dr. Klietmann. (More were made than awarded, some received later wounds requiring an up-grade in the badge, and some received more than one example>>>>) I'd pay $1,000.00 for an original in a second.....the black lists at $15,000.00 and that would be a bargin! More Crap-ola.

It isn't "fair" to single out Snyder......many big and small dealers have their share of fakes, some knowingly and some in ignorance......but almost all dealers have been seduced by the dollar (or Euro/Pound) when it come to pricing. E-Bay & Manions have had alot to do with the run away inflation on pricing......and while I have no objection to anyone making a buck on this stuff, there's a fair price and that's what a buyer should pay and a seller should sell for....the idear of an auction is to start LOW and work up to a "fair" price.....with the demand maybe driving it higher.....but in militaria things start at retail or higher....and go up from there. There's STILL plenty of stuff out there in the wood work, and good stuff, too! Do the leg work, put out flyers, pass out your card, advertise locally, set up at your local flea market (to buy!) or group antique shop, check the local pawn, junk, & antique shops regularily.....etc. and you'll get you're share. The search is half the fun.....and you get stuff that hasn't already been picked over.....paying what you feel is a fair price (I really try to be fair, based on what I will sell the stuff for or keep for my own collection).
John G.

edw52 · Post by **edw52** » 21 Aug 2007 22:01

Thanks John, that wound badge did look originall, if it wasn't so rare it might have fooled me. As for doing the leg work, I would say I am doing that

not too much luck yet, just those wound badges and EK1 I got. I e-mailed a whole bunch of estate/antique dealers. Everyone said they had nothing, then I got an interesting e-mail with pics of what I later bought. That was my only success.

What do you guys think of this site?? http://www.germanmilitaria.com/Covers/Germancover.html I haven't spotted any fakes, and the prices seem pretty fair. It looks like not a bad site to be honest. Any second opinions?? they sure do have a lot for sale though.

Regards,
Rylan

John G. · Post by **John G.** » 21 Aug 2007 23:55

The Guild is an excellent site as far as originality goes, but the pricing is still very high (of course, quality usually is....) It's more or less a consignment site, from what I understand. I'd certianly "favorite site" it and use it for learning......but you won't find many bargins.....(and they're alittle less than "perfect" when it comes to some of the other "non-German" stuff they sell.....) When I have the chance, I try to recommend a few of the more reputable sites to you....this would have been one of them....
John G.

edw52 · Post by **edw52** » 22 Aug 2007 02:05

Thanks, as a rule I do not buy items online. I try to find deals or a specific item I am looking for locally. But I do use other site to price out things.

When I go out of town I try to find new items at good prices. I am going to Las Vegas at the end of the month. Any tips of where to look to find something? Vegas is a bigger city, so I don't think it is a great place to find German Militaria, but it will be interesting to see.

I B Piper · Post by **I B Piper** » 22 Sep 2007 21:54

The Guild may have some good stuff, but the SS Court Martial stamper is identical to the stampers made in Poland in the '90s, If anyone wants one for 1/4 of what the Guild wants for their stamper, send me a message.

http://www.germanmilitaria.com/WaffenSS ... 5.html[url]

Best Regards,
I B Piper
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Deutsch Boy · Post by **Deutsch Boy** » 25 Sep 2007 03:02

RylanBrissette wrote:Thanks, as a rule I do not buy items online. I try to find deals or a specific item I am looking for locally. But I do use other site to price out things.

When I go out of town I try to find new items at good prices. I am going to Las Vegas at the end of the month. Any tips of where to look to find something? Vegas is a bigger city, so I don't think it is a great place to find German Militaria, but it will be interesting to see.

I agree, buying online is extremely risky, I would always want to see the item 1st person before I purchase it. However, a few dealers who sell items online are actually reputable, but I do not buy from them unless a friend has purchased from them before with no problems.

John G. · Post by **John G.** » 25 Sep 2007 14:12

RylanBrissette,
I don't know of any particular dealers or collectors in the Vegas area, but there must be Antique Malls, Flea Markets, Pawn Shops, and the like galore in Vegas......I'd hit a few of these and be sure to ask the "management" if they know of any collectors or dealers of Militaria in the area.....I'm sure there are several....from there you take your chances alittle....but sometimes it works out. There are also big Gun Shows in Vegas (don't know when, exactly) and the area....you might get lucky there too.....don't spend all your money at the slot machines......Militaria is a much more exciting addiction!
Have fun...
John G.
PS- Always use caution & common sense in meeting & dealing with anyone.....meet a safe location, never carry big $$$, etc.
and watch out for crooks & fakes just like anywhere else.....

edw52 · Post by **edw52** » 25 Sep 2007 18:15

John G:
Well, I actually am back from vegas.. No luck finding any militaria. The city has probably been picked over well from other collectors. I need to find small town USA, my uncle said he saw a DD SS Helmet when he was in a very small town in tenessee for $120 in an antique store. Wether it was real or not idk if i will know. He described it to me and it sounded like an ss helmet. He mentioned the "army thunderbolts". Other than that he said it looked old... so who knows if it was real or not... but for 120 i wish he bought it

The monthly gun show was not open when i was in vegas;. I did however shoot a full auto mp40 and mp5. That was fun, as for the slots.. i wish i could play, but im only 16. I did however win $27 playing pokar in a hotel room against some of my family

Thanks for the tips though.

Mark in Cleveland, Tn. · Post by **Mark in Cleveland, Tn.** » 26 Sep 2007 14:22

Was the small town in Tennessee Cleveland? Thee was a ss helmet for sale at a antique shop here for that amount... fake decals on a redo civil police alum. helmet.. But the guy swore it was genuine TR.
In Chattanooga, Eastridge and Monteagle antique malls there are all kinds of ''SS'' helmets for sale, all garbage redo's...all civil helmets made up, and a lot of them West german redo's...
1 hotshot dealer has a ton of all branch helmets at his booth at a huge Monteagle antique mall. all ''antiqued'' with that stupid washed over paint scheme, you know to hide the decal. everyone fake!!!!!!
but with top prices!!!!
has a web site too,,,, what a bunch of garbage!!!!
hell, I did up a west german with ss dd decals, antiqued the heck out of it, and displayed it at all the local military/antique/ gun shows as genuine TR.
these collectors swore it was ''the real deal''' finally sold it to an reenactor for $ 50.00 after hauling it around for several years..

John G. · Post by **John G.** » 26 Sep 2007 15:17

RylanBrissette,
There isn't any "small town" antique shops or flea markets that have original anything that's bargin priced.....even here in the sparcely populated areas of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont the shops are well travelled and the dealers all well educated. Once in awhile a treasure slips through.....that's why you still check.....but chances of finding anything is just as good in New York City as it is rural Tennessee.....maybe better with it's larger population (more old vets & heirs). There are some reputible dealers at flea markets, Malls, Army Surplus stores, on line, ebay, etc. but YOU have to be the one to know what your looking at, if it's real, and what it's worth to you.....There must be Yard Sales, Flea Markets, Antique Shops & Malls, as well as other collectors in your area....try advertising in the local paper or "swap shop" flyer.....pass out "business cards"......stress that you are a young collector/historian......avoid paying big bucks until you have a feel for the stuff..... Buy more referance books......use the forum......we're here to help.
John G.

PanzerTom · Post by **PanzerTom** » 26 Sep 2007 20:29

There are so many rotten dealers out there. They try and rip people off and don't care.

I think the same thing about Snyder. He is over priced and some of his items seem too good to be true.

If I had a dime for every one of a kind item out there I'd be rich!

I B Piper · Post by **I B Piper** » 26 Sep 2007 22:18

I certainly don't think much of germanmilitaria after seeing that stamper. However, Kai Winkler is having a going out of business sale, and I've only heard good things about him and what he sells.

Best Regards,
I B Piper

edw52 · Post by **edw52** » 27 Sep 2007 02:03

I B Piper,
Did germanmiltaria.com sell a fake stamper?? also who is Kai Winkler and what type of things does he sell? got a link for us?

And John G,

I do some advertising on a site called Kijiji.com, it is like cragslist for the selling of items locally. I also give my number to all antique shops that may come accross militaria. I am looking further into additional advertising options. Also: do you have any book recomendation. I saw a few I wanted online but i don't have a Visa and neither does my dad at the moment. I am doing my best trying to find ww2 militaria, and have found a couple nice things. But I will always need more!
I really like the EK1 and Gold & Silver Wound badge I got, which seemed at a pretty good price. Not to mention i know the name to whom these were awarded to...Helmut Linsser