The Fake, the Forgery and the Frankenstein

This study investigates how collectors of Nazi militaria from the Second World War II negotiate questions of authenticity, legitimacy, and value in an online forum setting dedicated to military collectibles. Although the objects themselves are tied to a dark history, they continue to circulate in private collections, outside of institutional oversight. Based on a thematic analysis of 52 forum threads with over 600 user comments, alongside interviews and participant observation, this research reveals how value and authenticity are not fixed attributes but outcomes of social interaction and collective judgment. Forum users engage in practices that resemble forensic analysis mostly based on reference books, yet they rely heavily on peer recognition, and community norms. The findings show that expertise is performed and earned through repeated participation and mentorship. Users co-produce standards through informal policing and boundary work, creating a hierarchy where some voices carry more weight than others. The study further identifies a typology of inauthentic items frequently encountered in forum discussion, being reproductions, forgeries, fantasy pieces and Frankenstein hybrids. Each have a distinct moral and historical relevance and moreover, this classification influences the value. It also shows how collectors respond to a shifting market, where German militaria is slowly becoming a speculative commodity. The findings challenge traditional notions of heritage and expertise by showing how cultural memory and historical value are actively assembled in online communities. The study contributes to broader sociological conversations about heritage, material culture, and the role of online communities in this.