Opinions on SS dagger!

[sdp]

This was recently on eBan from the seller, "oldmarketplace"

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...0%3D%26fvi%3D1

It went unsold.

His description that came when photos were requested was:

"The dagger is that of SS-Brigadefuhrer and Generalmajor der Waffen-SS "Jurgen Wagner". All documents that accompany it are photocopies. All photographic images are reprints taken from original negatives."

You can also find some other items by this seller, on ePier:

http://www.epier.com/auctions.asp?17332,0,1

[Stahlhelm]

I also have one by the same maker, and yours looks good to me too. Yes, the blade has some issues, but THIS IS A NEARLY 75 YEAR OLD DAGGER!!! Yes, the blade is the heart of the dagger, but I tend to give such very old things a little more forgiveness, just for their age and the fact that they've survived through a war (not to mention the mistreatment from so many well-intentioned collectors over the years, which can be worse than the war!) Sometimes, I think we're lucky to have as many here now as we do in any condition, and we sometimes ask for too much. As for the lack of the background burnishing in the motto, that is actually quite common. I would not rule one out (or devalue it greatly) solely on the basis of that. The examples with no burnishing in the motto on some of the most reputable, well-stocked websites seem to give no noticeable price-break for that either.

However, on another more picky, less forgiving note, related to what I want in my collection (and will spend my money on), I do like to have a blade that's in great condition (mint, if possible). I do prefer an SS roundel that is not in the seven o'clock extreme. I also prefer daggers with the original finish on the scabbard, regardless of how a post-war redo may look better. Original is better, no matter what, I think. (However, I also do not know for sure that your finish is a redo). I don't like dents in the scabbard, and I like a scabbard ball that is not mashed flat or split. I also don't like my daggers cleaned, polished, and too shiny for their age; I prefer an original aged-look on the eagle, crossguards, and fittings. However, there I go also wanting more than a 75 year-old war antique is likely to have.

In the end, your dagger will certainly fetch somewhere near the $4000.00 range (keeping with current retail, of course), and there will be no shortage of people who will want to buy it, in the condition it's in, even with all of its typical flaws. Prospective buyers will often try to play up on the flaws for maximum discount, but always beware of that too.

That's just my humble opinion, as they say. And in the end, that's what it's all about--the humble opinion of the one of many willing to buy it from you.

Chris

[Skipper Greenwade]

I think $4,000 may be a bit on the high side, given the overall condition...I would thinksomething in the $2,800 - $3,200 range is more realistic.

Not a bad dagger, just not the condition that most are looking for

Best,
Skip

[Colorado]

All Sales Final says it all. Caveat emptor

Please, before purchasing, go over and do a search on Germandaggers.com. Here, I will help with a post:

http://daggers.infopop.cc/eve/forums...992#5510011992

[sdp]

He has it on ePier now...

http://www.epier.com/Collectibles/Mi...rs/1584756.asp

[Billy G]

IMO, I would recommend avoiding this dagger & sticking with one from a reputable source. This seller has, in the past, had a knack for selling items of questionable veracity. A good many of them have been embellished with the addition of SS numbers, unit markings or spurious dedications. I'm not saying this particular dagger is bad, per se, but based on who's selling it, I would question the SS number and of course it's alleged original recipient. As far as I''m concerned, even if a dagger is legitimate, the post war addition of an SS number would skew it for me.

For those with questions, do a search on GD for "Panzer1", this seller's old Eban name. Hopefully some of the old threads remain.

[Stahlhelm]

I must apologize for not initially reading about the opinions of this dagger's blade looking as if it's been "worked over with a brillo pad." If that is the case, as I now see it appears, then I also do believe that my initial estimate of value was too high. After reading subsequent comments, I took a second closer look at the blade. The pictures are not the best, so I really didn't catch the more substantial blade problems either. So, in light of that, I do also agree that the value is closer to the $3,000.00 range, as suggested by Skip.

Next time, I will examine things much more closely before I open my mouth (or rather before I start typing). One thing you'll learn about me rather quickly is that I'll never be afraid to admit when I'm wrong.

Chris

[Larry Lipps]

Only as an injection of personal opinion, I'm often skeptical of serial numbers to high ranking officials. This is certainly not to say there aren't originals out there, but when they come from a source like this the pedigree has to be iron clad.