Luftwaffe Dagger Leather

[LDR]

Does anyone know where i can get a 1st pattern luftwaffe dagger recovered?

I need both the scabbard and grip doing, as they have been removed at some time. See the pictures here:

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=275253

The only remains of the leather are under the scabbard fittings.

I have heard Don Swanson can do this job. Is he a member her, does anyone have an email for him?

Any help would be great.

Thanks

lewis

[SwordFish]

Good morning Lewis,

Replacing grip leather and scabbard leather on 1st models as well as fliegerschwerts is a very daunting task, which is not reccommended for the average collector. I have done quite a bit of grip repair on sabers, grip wire, scabbard stuff and so on, but I won't touch a 1st Luft. Do a search on germandaggers.com About 6 months ago a fellow collector posted information about his project of replacing the leather on both grip and scabbard. He said it was very challenging. He had to special order the leather, stretch it, fit it, and so on. After it was all done and said, If i recall correctly, he said something to the effect that he didn't want to ever do it again (again, if I recall).

If I were in the position where I needed to do so, I'd probably keep it as is, and buy a specimine with the grip and scabbard leather intact. I know that prices have dramatically risen in recent months for a 1st luft and have almost made them cost-prohibitive for owning, but still, this is the course i'd go.

Do the search on gdc for better information. Perhaps you can contact the gentleman that did this, and he can give you some insight and pointers.

Something else that occurred to me is you want to check Johnsons site for a grip assembly complete with leather and grip wire and just replace the whole grip. That would only leave you with the scabbard leather to take on...which I would guess would be less time consuming and challenging.
Tom

[LDR]

Thanks Tom, i have contacted a few people without replies so far. Seems that alot will do the scabbards but i am not sure about the grip. Wittman does for example...but again not sure about the grips.
Its a nice luft dagger and seems a shame to leave it as it is or not buy it.

Will let you know the outcome.

lewis

[SwordFish]

Lewis, I must have edited it before you got the chance to read it. Check tom johnsons site for an entire grip assembly replacement. Then perhaps Witmann or one of the guys can do the scabbard for you.

[steve h]

hello, the person who replaced the leather over on GDC was me!!. i also posted it on here but there was little interest. as well as my dagger, i supplied some leather to ian at `simply daggers` which he used to re-cover one he had.

if i can be of any assistance , hit me with some questions!.

[LDR]

Hi Steve, did you also replace the leather on the grip? Can you show photos of the finished dagger?

I'll PM you concerning this.

THanks for all the help guys.

lewis

[steve h]

lewis, i`ve e-mailed you.