Latest Acquistion! DLV/NSFK - Please help!

[William J]

A friend of mine who regularly finds great items out of the woodwork recently located and then sent me the dagger pictured below. He knows how much I like personalized and/or unit-marked pieces and I do really like this one. This is the first one I've owned. My I had thought it was a DLV but I think that partial throat stamping is the winged man of the NSFK.

My question is basically this. I am working out a cash or trade deal with my friend. Considering the condition of the dagger, what would be a fair ballpark for a piece such as this? We don't usually try to gouge each other, so a collector-to-collector price is what I am seeking.

Please enjoy the pictures, and I look forward to your opinions.

[William J]

Dagger Reverse

The veteran had this dagger and a Luftschutz helmet...

[William J]

Maker

SMF - Does this appear buffed? The trademark is not dark...but the blade does still have much crossgraining remaining.

[William J]

2nd shot of maker

The enamel of the swastikas is perfect on both sides

[William J]

Scabbard Throat

This is a partial stamp of the NSFK, correct?

[William J]

35 on Upper Scabbard Fitting

Is this the manufacture date? The number is not repeated elsewhere, although the "K" is found on the crossguard edge

[William J]

hanger

super condition

[William J]

Perhaps the most significant flaw

I don't know if the blade has been buffed (I can provide better pics) but it does appear the tip has a very slight "wave" like it might have been used to pry once. But if so, it has been straightened as it cannot be seen from the edge, only a small area looking straight onto the blade.

[William J]

Now my favorite part!

The next two pics are of the unit markings. If anyone has any idea as to the ID, I certainly would love to hear it!

[William J]

Last pic for now

Here is the remainder of the unit markings. I thank you in advance for any assistance!

Good collecting and God bless,

William

[Paul27]

Any one of the big dealers would stick you from $900-$1200 for that piece.I think the #35 is a inspectors mark, as mine is also marked with the #98.So between you and your friend,I think $300-$350 would be fair.If you can get it for less,Proceed.

[BRET VAN SANT]

William, polished or buffed no doubt! but it doesnt seem like a biggie. 35 bench mark, inspector or assembly # maybe we will never know. That price seems a bit low to me but I am sure thats a heck of a deal if you are shooting for that range. I am thinking 500 range and if someone who is up on the unit marks knows the deal then a bit more. I have been seeing the culls of collections w/ no hanger strap going for more. price is price so if your shooting for 3-350 thats a good deal. wonder where those people from up north find all that stuff anyway mmmmmm no competition me thinks! have you had it down to measure the blade? having said that i am not sure the approx length but I am sure i can find it or someone here will ring in.I can make out the swaz on the throat but the rest is a bit jumbled. Talk to you soon. my best, Bret

[Paul27]

The blade is nearly seven inches,Overall length is 13 1/2 inches.Paul

[Colorado]

The blade looks polished and there is old pitting. Have the screws been out of this? The throat screws are offset slightly, could be normal loosening. The tip does look like it took a hit and then straightened. Is there a repair to the leather?

Having the hanger and unit marking is a plus. If you note (even on our e-stand) these are often missing the integral hanger and it is NOT normal to be missing them despite claims to the contrary.

$500 is fair in trade.

[Skipper Greenwade]

I think the comments rendered thus far are spot on. The blade has definitely been buffed and may have been used as a can opener or ???, but if you can get into it for the $350 or so discussed here I don't see how you could miss.

Best,
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