Just as a general warning to inexperienced collectors of WWII German items, thousands of dollars worth of items that are being sold as original on Ebay are not WWII items. Although original items are found in Ebay auctions and most sellers are honest people some are not. These people are knowingly selling fake items as original at the expense of inexperienced collectors. Before starting to collect and certainly before bidding, obtain collecting reference books, talk to experienced collectors, and look at collector disscussion websites. Before spending hundreds of dollars know what you are looking at and secure a written agreement for a return if the item is determined to not be original or different than described.

Remember buying items from individuals residing in foreign countries to your own affords you almost no recourse if there is a problem with the item. Sending cash in an envelope or bank transfers is asking for disaster. Paypal is the safest way to send money anywhere and protects you from loosing the funds. Look carefully at sellers feedback, assess the item description and the way the seller responds to any questions. 

Reproductions of WWII German items have been made since the end of WWII and it is difficult for long-term collectors to detect fakes. Reporducing WWII German items is a full-time occupation for many small companies and profitable for sellers on Ebay.

Newly produced items are buried, aged with chemicals, and made to look original. Remember that literally thousands of collectors are looking at Ebay items. East German items can also easily be changed to look like WWII German with insignia etc. If something seems to be too good to be true it most likely is. Experienced collectors will avoid questionable items and will not be bidding. The key to collecting WWII German items and enjoying it is to learn to resist temptation and to convince oneself that an item is "Okay". If there is one question on an item do not buy it. By not supporting criminals, yes criminals exploiting people who are trusting and unaware-you will make the hobby more enjoable for yourself and others.