Ebay kepi

[Ralph Heinz]

On Ebay there is a gray leather kepi with a crossed sabre devise with 12 above and G below. It looks like a souvenir cap sold to tourists in the 1960s. I emailed the woman who has it up for sale and she's convinced it's real (from her research!) and she paid $450 for it at an auction. It's even moldy from poor storage. Unfortunately I've been seeing repro items sold as originals as things used by reenactors for years show age that fool a lot of people. I've even sent the woman a link to this forum but doubt she'll use it. What a shame. Hopefully, this forum will keep some from making disastrous purchases like this one.

 

[Yankeedave]

lol leather kepi.

 

[major bill]

You can find great stuff on Ebay but must be careful. Some things are best purchased from people who are known to properly research the item.

 

[captaindrew]

Hey I had one of those when I was a kid, couldn't get it off my head, you tell me it wasn't real!? ha ha

 

[zburkett]

I feel it is foolish to pay more than reproduction prices for and "Civil War" item on ebay. I have a great CS buckle with a mini ball stuck in it. $9 on ebay. Worth every penny, all my friends get a laugh out of it. I've seen the same item on ebay for hundreds. Cave emptor.

 

[major bill]

I do off and on buy a few things on Ebay, usually books or magazines. These items are hard to fake.

 

[7thWisconsin]

I believe it was PT Barnum who said "no one ever went broke betting on the stupidity of th American public." If that buyer is convinced that ANY leather kepi is worth $450, then the seller has just hit one out of the park. 5 minutes of research should have convinced her not to push "buy it now." I'm interested in vintage souvenirs, toys and kitch, but that's just ridiculous. I can't say that a lather kepi would have any vintage or antique value.

 

[UCVRelics]

I emailed the woman who has it up for sale and she's convinced it's real (from her research!) and she paid $450 for it at an auction.

I have done the same thing in the past, most of the time they will reply with a Thank You for the info and take it down. I have also reported several people as what they had and what they said just wasn't right. In the last few years Ive been sell some of my CW retirement plan at CW shows, ebay and my website. One of the biggest things to me is my reputation. I have always offered 30 day inspection and a return for ANY reason, buyers remorse, wife etc. On ebay I have only had 1 item returned and that was damaged. I have a 100% positive feedback which is very important to me. In fact I have some nice CS buttons that are ending tonight at 8:00 ct ucvrelics.

 

[UCVRelics]

If that buyer is convinced that ANY leather kepi is worth $450

Amen brother. Plus a CS kepi for $450 a fool and his money are soon parted.

 

[Ralph Heinz]

Right now there are a couple Spanish/American War canteens listed as CW - canvas covered with large stenciled US, crossed rifles, unit markings and rack numbers and the two triangular loops for a leather sling with brass hooks. One has an extensive list of CW battles the canteen's markings they believed the canteen was used in. I emailed them the details of this late 19th century canteen and they thanked me but never amended their Ebay description and have it with a starting price of $300.

Much of this misidentified stuff comes from antique dealers who neglect to look over all the other canteens, bullet molds, holsters, etc. on Ebay first and then learn something from seeing a few authentic items before they ID what they have. They think they have hit a homerun with a high value when they have something that won't sell at all.

It used to be worthwhile to stop at every antique shop and look for collectible items -- now it's a waste of time as anything worthwhile immediately goes on Ebay -- often misidentified and with a wishful starting price.