Gottlieb Hammesfahr SS dagger

[Rick C]

At (almost) every foray in the realm of SS regalia I am trounced & punished (as it likely should be since clearly, in a previous life, I pissed off the Gods) so, being a new day and since my wife & week old daughter have yet to awaken this morning, I’m here on the WAF to hear the worst relating to this, a Gottlieb Hammesfahr dagger I picked up yesterday.

Yes, it’s seen better days. The grip is a wreak, the blade (which I haven’t even wiped down) isn’t all that pretty & the runes, having, perhaps, popped off when the grip edges let go, was slapped back on wrong but, other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how did you like the play?

Can this be saved? Rumor has it someone called Don Swanson is a name mentioned as someone who migt be the man for a grip repair. How does one find him & how much of my beer budget might I expect him to take for the needed repairs. Finally, what would a sane person have paid for this?

Numerous photos follow. All comments - advice are welcome. Thanx in advance, Rick C.

[Rick C]

Maker mark

[Rick C]

grip reverse

[Rick C]

grip front

[Rick C]

blade motto

[Rick C]

closer on that

[Rick C]

scabbard reverse

[Rick C]

the eagle

[Adrian Stevenson]

hi Rick, other than the bad damage to the grip I think the dagger is OK. No idea on what you should have paid. A good SS dagger here is the UK is £1,500 / $3000. As to the grip I think I would leave "as is". To replace it would just make it a parts dagger and a repair might be costly and then it is no longer untouched, but that is up to you.

Cheers, Ade.

[Carson]

Rick,

I just bought a "restored" SS dagger myself due to the handle being replaced with a chunk of cedar by the veteran. I would imagine the ebony grip on mine has similar damage as yours or maybe it split if someone tried to denazify it and remove the well mounted national eagle? I could not or would have chose not, to have afforded an SS dagger otherwise.

There are many collectors with different tastes in their standards of collecting. There are debates on "cleaning" TR items (OK, stop shuddering some of you) to remove foreign matter, versus removing a natural patina. (ugh) The same debate can be argued on repairs.

My best advice is what would allow you to enjoy this item most? Leave it as is, or minor repairs? Unless you purchase TR items solely for investment, I would recommend getting it to the condition you want. Like most collectors, you get a feel for the piece and enjoy each item for their specific "personality". I like a piece that has been there and has the scars to prove it.

I do not think you will find an original wood grip for your dagger. Just too hard to come by as they have a tendancy to chip as yours did, specifically when the tang nut is tightened too much or the has been subjected to temperature shifts. There are someplaces that can make a replacement handle out of new material and you can mount your eagle and button into it.

I suggest you consider just having your handle "filled" but I do not have the experience to know if this is possible. I have heard of wax being used to fill small cracks, but I am unsure of repairs to this amount of damage. Would be nice to keep the original handle.

I like your dagger and congrats on the new addition to your collection! As for price, you would have done incredibly well if you got it for below $1,500.00 USD, but then I am a newb at the hobby.

PM me if you want a lead on a repair person. Thanks for sharing your dagger!

Carson

[pvluger]

I truely likethe dagger the way it is...I would leave it be. I dont think this detracts form the collectability AT ALL.

VERY nice!

[grip3846]

I agree leave it alone

There is nothing wrong with having it the way it is,at the moment original,when done up it becomes repaired restored,bits and pieces,IMHO,leave it alone,if you want clean it up with some renwax,it will prevent damage from acid finger marks etc.
Nice dagger well done.
Ivan.

[Rick C]

Wow. I'm surprised. Would've thought I was going to get slammed for a beat to sh*t relic. I'm pleased you folks think it should be left alone. Thanx very much for the review.

[Carson]

"beauty is in the eye of the beholder....."

.... and it is a beauty, either way!!!!

[Tony75]

ss dagger

pm sent
thank you