Heer dagger for your appraisal
I acquired this dagger, along with a 1937 pattern Luftwaffe model (currently posted in the appropriate sub-forum), some 15 years ago and have always felt it to be correct. I purchased the pair from the son of a veteran, through an ad in a local paper. Sadly, he was unwilling to divulge any further details regarding his fathers name or service. Both are nice and tight everywhere and I have never felt the need to disassemble anything.
Having trawled through previous posts, I am now in two minds about this Heer dagger (though I dont know why), as there seems great disagreement (and sometimes even confusion) in many cases… My confidence in the Luftwaffe dagger remains high, however.
Regarding this example, certain aspects of the craftsmanship seem a little poor, while others are razor-sharp. This does not seem an uncommon blend, depending upon date of manufacture and metals employed - as I understand it.
The Eickhorn squirrel mark was difficult to capture, but seems somewhat crude to me, when compared to the exquisite early double-ringed version.
The oak leaves above the cross guard are traveling left (as opposed to the more common right), though it seems this is not an impossibility and some were, indeed, assembled this way.
There is a slightly clumsy step in the oak leaf casting to the scabbard loop bands.
I look forward, with some trepidation, to your appraisals,
With my sincere thanks in advance,
Bob
My apologies for any jumbled, upside down images (cannot control them)!
Notice no lining or Loops
