When collecting militaria it is important to narrow your focus to specialize on a specific country or war or area of militaria, like uniforms. It is impossible, for example, for a person to be an expert on every element of WWII German militaria. There is simply too much material in a wide variety of categories.

1. Select a time period or war or country to specialize in. The more you can focus your collection the easier it will be to stay on task in your collecting.

2. Research and start by collecting reference materials on the area you have chosen to collect (WWII German medals, or uniforms or headgear). Some of the reference material will have information on areas other than those that you might be interested in. Be selective in what you purchase for yourself, but read as much as you possibly can. It is important to begin to build a reference library.

3. Become an expert in the area you are collecting. The more you can learn and become familiar with a specific aspect of collecting the easier it will be to build your collection. As your reference library grows and you read more books on the area you are collecting, the more focused your knowledge will become on your area of interest.

4. Be flexible. Understand that as you learn more and develop your network of fellow collectors and dealers, your collecting areas of interest may change. It is not uncommon for a WWII uniform collector to start by collecting every WWII uniform there was. The problem was that entailed collecting hundreds, if not thousands of different uniforms, from a variety of countries. Instead after learning more the collector focused on the ribbons that went on the German unforms and became an expert on them and was able to develop an outstanding collection of German ribbons.

5. Develop a network or fellow collectors and dealers that you trust. Find out from others who offers authentic items at the best possible prices. Use other collectors and dealers as a resource and gain information and experience from them.

6. Be prepared to make mistakes. I think this is one of the most overlooked tips. The way we learn is by making mistakes. I will never forget having to tell a collector that the Gold July 20, 1944 German wound badge he thought he got a great deal on for $900 was a fake. He was not happy at all, but it helped to build my reputation with the collector for being a dealer that would always tell him the truth, no matter how painfull it might be.

7. Have fun. Collectors collect for a variety of reasons. Some are collecting to preserve history, some to as an investment, some enjoy a period in history. Whatever the reason, enjoy what you are collecting and share that enjoyment with others.

8. Be patient. It takes time to learn and master the art of militaria collecting. There is a lot of information to familiarize yourself with. It will not happen overnight. Plus part of the fun of collecting is searching for the rare and unusual piece that you need for your own collection.