From what I can see, you have done an excellent job assessing things, and making really good decisions....many under the pressure of the moment. You have a knack for getting close to the source, and that is always one of the best initial indicators.
I will say in counterpoint to that....the point about getting close to the source, I looked at a pile of stuff earlier in the summer that came directly from a WW II AAF and KW USAF vet that had the potential to be great....really great However, it turned out to be his stuff and his "collection" mixed together.
There was some great stuff that came out of his trunks...uniforms, flight jackets, wings, and patches....the bulk of it mostly original, but also the bulk of it enhanced....with higher rank, valor ribbons, rare wings, cool patches, repairs....all applied by him in the 70's, 80's, and '90's. He did it for his own enjoyment....he wore most of the stuff...and not to fool anybody, but it could and would really fool people now....a couple of his creations got a lot of love on the Military Forum....I bet he was smiling from above!
To be fair, this is more an example of what can happen even with a great story....directly from the vet, stored in his trunks for years, worn by him.....and how difficult it can be to judge things, especially once they get split out of the pile.
I think you are doing great out there....both finding cool stuff and fending off all the a'holes.