Hi everyone,   I’m Elias Harker, and I’ve recently started diving into the world of collecting rare WWII artifacts. There’s something incredibly exciting about holding a piece of history and imagining the stories behind it—it’s like a direct link to the past.   Since I’m new to this, I’m still learning the ropes, especially when it comes to authenticating items and understanding their full context. If anyone has advice or tips, I’d be so grateful! Honestly, I’m just excited to connect with others who share this passion and maybe swap stories along the way.   Looking forward to getting to know you all!

Yes, and a bunch of really great guys as well. Here is an interview we did with Chris at my museum in 2022.   Scott               

Thank you! I passed it along to my friend.

A War Merit Medal & "Luftschutz" Medal ribbon bar, a common civilian combination.   Source:   https://www.dracomedals.com/germany/nazi-germany-3rd-reich/nazi-germany-ww2-war-merit-1939-air-defense-meritorious-service-medal-1938-ribbon-bar-german-decoration-1945.html  

Those are wild uniforms.  Thanks for posting them!

In general officers visors were a higher grade of material and construction.

Cool, they're pretty big right...

Welcome to the WMF!

The website that was linked is a Yahoo Taiwan website listed in the local foreign currency, the New Taiwan Dollar. At its current exchange rate 1 US Dollar to NTD is 33.09. I usually estimate 500 NTD is about $15, so it is about $11-12, not $400.    Judging from the screwbacks on the back, the item dates to around the 1970s. Maybe 60s.    Not every Taiwan period item is from WWII. Most ebay sellers would list Taiwan items as WWII, but can never back the source nor change it because $$$ reasons.    See the photos below for references on how to identify. Note the two different screwcaps types on the other photo.            

This would do better on the US military forum-

What besides the chin strap differentiate a NCO visor from officers. I know sometimes the officer had bullion wreath and eagle 

Hello,   I'm not sure if this is a Type 1 patch? The patch himself should be authentic for WW2 . The Type 2 looks very similar and even with Mark Bando's guide I'm not sure. Are there perhaps a few more trained eyes here on the forum than mine.   Thanks in advance.