SS Dagger M7/36

[junior]

Hi guys,

Somebody asked me if this one is real or fake?
I somewhat have my doubts...

Thanks in advance,
Junior

[Colorado]

It's a fake. Bad blade, washer on blade, bad fitting of the grip, bad eagle set in high on grip. Bad

[junior]

Hi Jeff,
Just what a thought, thanks for your opinion!
Cheers,
Junior

[Wizard]

It's a fake. Bad blade, washer on blade, bad fitting of the grip, bad eagle set in high on grip. Bad

You know something? All those are basic mistakes that can be corrected relatively easily. I wonder if the fakers will get around to it over time, or has it been re-done so well that it has slipped our notice?

Nevertheless, we have to get more sophisticated with how we determine a dagger to be authentic in the future.

[Larry Lipps]

Unfortunately I think we're already to the point where some pieces are impossible to make a call based on photos alone.

[Wizard]

Unfortunately I think we're already to the point where some pieces are impossible to make a call based on photos alone.

Very true, Mr. Lipps, but I think that could be affected by a lot of extraneous factors.

Do you think that information in books and websites, such as this, though helpful, are also detrimental to to the hobby in the long run?

[Larry Lipps]

It's the extraneous factors that make photos difficult. Photos with or without flash, different lighting conditions, and incorrect camera settings can make a perfectly good piece look bad and vice versa. What I was trying to say is that on some items there's just no substitute for a hands on inspectiion no matter how good the photos. I have no doubt that those who make fakes haven't stopped refining their art. This makes it more and more difficult to spot their handiwork from a fuzzy photo.

Last year at the MAX a dealer who sells only reproduction daggers showed me some Damascus blades he had made in India. They were almost impossible to tell from an original. Since he's an honest type guy I asked why he didn't have something put on the tang to signify they were reproductions. His answer was that the guy making them wouldn't do it because none of the other people placing orders would buy them. I'd honestly hate to try and spot one fo these based on even a good photo.

While our efforts in spotting fakes just helps them improve the next generation, these forums seem to always have some keen eyed individual who can spot even the smallest errors. I firmly believe that these forms provide a strength in numbers that I'd rather not be without.

I have to edit this to include that I have some friends who still aren't PC literate. Any time you want to see where we'd be without sharing all our information, take a look at the items in their collections.