The discerning collector knows the value of research. Research is used to find desirable militaria, verify authenticity and identify the original owner in the case of a personalized piece. Personalized militaria is very desirable, but documented personalized militaria is most desirable. Research can result in savings during the purchase of a piece, reduce the chance of a bad financial transaction, and increase the possibility of making a large profit upon resale. Many sellers do not know what they are selling. The disreputable seller knows many buyers do not have the requisite knowledge to purchase authentic militaria. The discerning collector knows research provides an edge in a competitive and expensive hobby; the consummate collector/dealer knows this best of all.

I began collecting Third Reich militaria in 1964. However, I am no longer an active collector. My education includes undergraduate and graduate degrees in History with an emphasis in modern European history. I also hold graduate degrees in Library Science and Instructional Media. Employed as a professional librarian since 1978, I started biographical/historical research of German militaria in 1982. My reputation as a militaria researcher has grown from word-of-mouth. As a result, I have worked for all types of collectors, authors, researchers, and occasionally families seeking genealogical information. I am known within the international community of militaria collectors.