Anyone Here Collect WWII German Blades

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BruceS
Posts: 108
Joined: Wed Apr 26, 2017 12:27 am

Anyone Here Collect WWII German Blades

Post by BruceS »

As a kid growing up in Dutchess County NY, on the wall in my room hung a German Army Dagger. I had no idea it was an army dagger, just that it was cool. Turns out some distant relative gave it to my dad when he was young. I no longer have that dagger, but later in life when I wondered what it was, my research turned me into a collector. I was dating my wife Edna at the time and every year we would catch the flight to the Max Shoe in Monroeville, PA. Great times. Every year I would save up 10k or more and head off to the show. Then the Semiconductor business hit some down-turns and I haven't made it back. Think I went a total of 5 times.

My collecting focus was German Daggers. Anything different. Over time I more specifically focused on Model 33 SS and only collected 13 pieces and that is a lot to have in one place. Still have them all, along with numerous others and a bunch of dress and service bayonets. These relics have been excellent investments. I moved all of them to safe deposit boxes a few years back. In the process I photographed all of them.

Let me know if you collect these. Post some pics of some you have. You all have seen Boker folding knives. Here is a Boker SS Dagger. Oh, and that patina on the crossguards and fittings, that's just perfect with me. I don't polish them up.

All the best.

Bruce
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gravknife
Posts: 1500
Joined: Fri Dec 11, 2015 9:34 pm

Re: Anyone Here Collect WWII German Blades

Post by gravknife »

Bruce
Thats a beautiful SS dagger and in super condition.
I love the belt clip aswell they are becoming very difficult to find .

I have a great interest in these daggers but the price they are achieving is amazing .Wish i had started collecting them in the early 80s ,they were plentiful in many military fairs and shops i visited when i collected guns ,but now good condition original untouched specimens such as yours are unobtainable, unless you have money that is .
I only have a naval dagger by eickhorn ,i am looking for a knot to replace my damaged example if you know of anyone selling one Bruce id be grateful if you could keep your ears open for me.

I would be grateful to see any of your collection Bruce .I love German militaria but i am wary of fakes in the medals especially.

Thanks for sharing that great knife please keep them coming.

Ian
BruceS
Posts: 108
Joined: Wed Apr 26, 2017 12:27 am

Re: Anyone Here Collect WWII German Blades

Post by BruceS »

How about a different Gravity Knife. This is a Weyersburg. It's a fairly good example only lite use. The thing with these knives is the back-spring will break if you play with them too much. I probably haven't closed this knife in 10 years or so. The spike is Luftwaffe proof marked.

This knife was like $600 in 98-99 when I purchased. I didn't steal it by any means. But this condition retails for twice that or more today. Been a good investment.

Hope you like this one.

Bruce
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gravknife
Posts: 1500
Joined: Fri Dec 11, 2015 9:34 pm

Re: Anyone Here Collect WWII German Blades

Post by gravknife »

Nice clean example Bruce
Much better condition than the one i posted.

The takedown examples seem to bring more money and i love the blued parts contrasting with the shiny blade but the 1st patterns look great in that clean condition and good order.

I wish i could pick one up for that money nowadays ,i can see German memorabilia( especially edged weapons ) being awed at for many generations to come,same as switchblades they have a certain aura about them.

I hope you share some more german daggers here Bruce.

Heres the eickhorn german naval dagger i bought some years ago .
Sorry about the older pictures
Ian
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BruceS
Posts: 108
Joined: Wed Apr 26, 2017 12:27 am

Re: Anyone Here Collect WWII German Blades

Post by BruceS »

That's a nice Navy dagger. I don't have a single one. They are fairly expensive today. The hanger straps for them are real unusual as well. Some of them will have Ivory handles. Usually they have cracked by now with the age.

This is 2nd style Luftwaffe. Fairly common, manufactured by Alcoso. The neat thing about this one is the single aluminum wire that the wraps the handle. It is original, and when Mr. Whitman wrote his book about the Blades of the Luftwaffe, he covered this seldom encounter variation by Alcoso. The dagger didn't have a knot on it.

Hope you like the common stuff.

Bruce
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mick17
Posts: 136
Joined: Sat Jan 07, 2017 8:13 pm

Re: Anyone Here Collect WWII German Blades

Post by mick17 »

Good timing! I just got this HJ dagger yesterday
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mick17
Posts: 136
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Re: Anyone Here Collect WWII German Blades

Post by mick17 »

BruceS wrote:How about a different Gravity Knife. This is a Weyersburg. It's a fairly good example only lite use. The thing with these knives is the back-spring will break if you play with them too much. I probably haven't closed this knife in 10 years or so. The spike is Luftwaffe proof marked.

This knife was like $600 in 98-99 when I purchased. I didn't steal it by any means. But this condition retails for twice that or more today. Been a good investment.

Hope you like this one.

Bruce
Here's a similar one http://www.gunbroker.com/item/643070879
BruceS
Posts: 108
Joined: Wed Apr 26, 2017 12:27 am

Re: Anyone Here Collect WWII German Blades

Post by BruceS »

That's an interesting HJ Dress Bayonet. I've never seen one like it. The HJ Diamond looks like the standard size in a youth knife, and that maker did manufacture youth knives. I wish we knew more about these variations.

Bruce
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mick17
Posts: 136
Joined: Sat Jan 07, 2017 8:13 pm

Re: Anyone Here Collect WWII German Blades

Post by mick17 »

BruceS wrote:That's an interesting HJ Dress Bayonet. I've never seen one like it. The HJ Diamond looks like the standard size in a youth knife, and that maker did manufacture youth knives. I wish we knew more about these variations.

Bruce

Thanks Bruce!

I talked to the seller a long time before buying. I've always wanted a HJ knife and that one is about 14". A rare bayonet knife. The other HJ daggers are shorter.

He's got some other really cool stuff like this axe he just put up. I have no affiliation with him-just saying he's legit. http://www.gunbroker.com/item/644576334
BruceS
Posts: 108
Joined: Wed Apr 26, 2017 12:27 am

Re: Anyone Here Collect WWII German Blades

Post by BruceS »

You probably won't find much on this bayonet. There is a dealer I see at all the big shows, and even at some of the smaller ones where he may just be buying. I have sold some stuff to him as well. His website is wittmannmilitaria.com. Go to the site and find the HJ knife section. There is some of this pattern bayonet in the product offering. Read up on that and maybe contact him for some more information on the piece. His first name is Thomas, and he is a great person to deal with. I had him repair a damaged dagger fitting last year. He has a curator that works for him.

All the best.

Bruce
gravknife
Posts: 1500
Joined: Fri Dec 11, 2015 9:34 pm

Re: Anyone Here Collect WWII German Blades

Post by gravknife »

Mick17
That looks like either a Hitler youth dress bayonet or a Hitler youth "watch bayonet " given to hand picked youths when performing guard duties or ceremonies .
It's a lot longer than I am used to seeing on hitler youth knives but i had heard of dress daggers somewhere and they are a pretty rare and sort after variant,like the fighting knife variants that can pop up.
I havnt looked at German knives for sometime and its great to see these knives posted here.
I am no expert on these Mick,i would ask over at wehrmacht awards for more specialist info .

Bruce
Lovely complete Luftwaffe set you posted...I love the Luftwaffe knives with this grey tone and white hilt ....you have some lovely blades and in great condition .
Glad you started this post.

All the best to you both
gravknife
BruceS
Posts: 108
Joined: Wed Apr 26, 2017 12:27 am

Re: Anyone Here Collect WWII German Blades

Post by BruceS »

Hey Guys,
I've seen the HJ Watcher bayonets, but only short blades. That other forum will be able to help.

I'll mix things up a bit. Here are hanger straps I photographed a few months ago. One on far right is Luft, others are Heer. Some I've collected over the years.

Hope you like them.

Bruce
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mick17
Posts: 136
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Re: Anyone Here Collect WWII German Blades

Post by mick17 »

Thanks so much for the info Bruce and gravknife! I checked out that website you recommended Bruce- very very cool stuff on there. I'll contact that guy to get more info on my piece. The HJ watch bayonet he has listed on there is more than what I paid, so I think I made off quite well. The guy that sold it to me goes over to Germany personally to get all this stuff. He has a crew of guys that go out and find this stuff for him like the show American Pickers.
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