Detecting the Fakes by Robin Lumsden (2000, Paperback)

A Collector's Guide to Third Reich Militaria - Detecting the Fakes by Robin Lumsden is an excellent reference about a very difficult subject, based upon my own 45 plus years of experience in the militaria hobby. First published in 1989, I am reviewing the 2000 printing. To say that Lumsden is well-qualified to write on this is an understatement! He points out the strengths and weaknesses of this work fairly. His Introduction sums up the situation, and is the first thing one should read. In only 144 pages, he covers all of the major areas in this field (Orders and Decorations, Dress Daggers, etc.). Using comparison photographs extensively and effectively, he is able to economize on text. The language is clear and direct. The fact that the illustrations are Black & White doesn't impair his ability to convey the critical information. The cover price for my softback was 12.99 Pounds, making this book an excellent value. It should be useful even to the experienced collector, as well as the beginner. I have not found any errors in the content. The same cannot be said for many similar books. Its size and soft cover make it handy to take to shows. I would not be without a copy of this one! Given the astronomical prices of Third Reich militaria, identifying one fake could save you many times the price of the book. However, one must keep in mind that even the best identification guides (as this one is) are usually only one part of the evaluation process one should use before buying a military collectible. As Chief Inspector Lumsden says: Try to become familiar with known genuine specimens "in the flesh," use resources such as eBay to keep up with "the market" and other collectors, and (most important!) find out as much as you can about the seller! It has become trite to say that this area of the militaria hobby is particularly treacherous. I am writing this particularly for novices, in the hope that reading this book will help to save them from "getting burned" and leaving the hobby. If our buyers are better informed, it will favor the honest dealers and, hopefully, encourage the fakers to try something else.