Early Nightfighter Clasp

[LuckyLuudje]

This time I will show you one of my most beloved clasps.
I always had a week for Nightfighters.

This clasp is IMO a very early clasp that is not made by S&L.
My nightfighters from S&L don't share the same die characteristics and hardware.
And it is the only nightfighter clasp that I have without the raised "o".

All opinions are welcome, but hope that this time it will be fundemented with objective information if it is "Not for my collection".

[LuckyLuudje]

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[Peter Wiking]

Fantastic and unusual clasp! I am sure that this is a good Steinhauer.

Peter

[LuckyLuudje]

Fantastic and unusual clasp! I am sure that this is a good Steinhauer clasp.

Peter

Thanks for your comment Peter, always highly appreciated.
But it is REALLy a surprise for me that it IS manufactored by S&L.

It seems I have a LOT to learn!

[Mike Yokum]

WOW! WOW! WOW!!!

Super nice, rare and early Luud!!! You dirty dog!!!

You say not the same die characteristics as an S&L, Peter says S&L. Some discussion is needed.

[streptile]

I'm not always sure what I'm looking for with these, but I can see a quality strike and superior craftsmanship on this one. Are these always made with a black winged arrow "sandwiched" on top of another brass one, like shown in post 5?

Anyway, a superb piece Luud!

[LuckyLuudje]

[
You say not the same die characteristics as an S&L, Peter says S&L. Some discussion is needed.

I has at least other die characteristics than my other Nightfighters that have the hardware.
If Peter thinks this is also a S&L, and he is more aknowledged than me with these clasps,
it indicates to me that S&L used different dies (or modified dies) in the very early period. Interesting!

Here it is compared to a golden nightfighter with with the S&L mark on the clasp and on the pendant.

And if you look close at the bronze nightfighter you see the same characteristics as the Silver CCC I traded with you.

[LuckyLuudje]

I'm not always sure what I'm looking for with these, but I can see a quality strike and superior craftsmanship on this one.

Than I think you are already looking at the most important details!

Are these always made with a black winged arrow "sandwiched" on top of another brass one, like shown in post 5?

This one looks in many ways different than the "regular" S&L's.
Normally the arrow ais attached on the same form as the arrow wich is integrated in the clasp itself.

[Peter Wiking]

Luud, compare your clasp with other than the Nightfighter. It is only the center motive that now makes it a fighter clasp. Compare with a bomber or observer clasp for example.

Peter

[LuckyLuudje]

Luud, compare your clasp with other than the Nightfighter. It is only the center motive that now makes it a fighter clasp. Compare with a bomber or observer clasp for example.

Peter

You know that I can't compare them with the others right now! I only have a few fighter clasps (and the flattend Recon clasps) here to compare with.

But I still see other die characteristics on the bronze Nightfighter wich are the same as on my old silver LW CCC (in Mikes Collection) compared to ALL my other clasps with the S&L mark.

[LuckyLuudje]

I did compare this clasp to another bronze clasp with the S&L mark (sorry that it is a fighter again).

But noticed that the finish looks exactly the same!
I tried to make a picture, but you can see that it is getting dark here, and my camera has a handicap!