Army dagger

[dot 43]

Is $425 a good price for an Army dagger in good condition without hanger. A local vet has one for sale and I didnt know if it was a good price. I dont have any pictures.

[Skipper Greenwade]

Depends on a number of factors:

• Is it maker marked?
• Is it an early piece?
• What condition is it really in?
• What color is the grip? (darker colors are generally more desirable)

Really impossible to tell without photos, but I'd pass unless it's an early dagger with a maker mark.

Best,
Skip

[Josh B.]

There are a ton of considerations when setting price. A few things, but by all means not an exhaustive list...

Blade- straight? Nicked edges? Sharpened? Point needle-like? Graying? Rust? Crossgraining intact? Maker marked or plain?

Handle- intact? cracked? A portepee wrapped around it (if so check carefully for cracks underneath the cord)?

Fittings- Well fit? Late war 'grey' or early silvered piece? Lacquer?

Scabbard- Dinged? Plating and/or lacquer in place?

Next, check Wittmann's book and be sure that everything makes "sense". If not, well, think twice if you aren't willing to take a risk.

-IF you are POSITIVE you are buying directly from the vet who picked it up during the war, you may feel a bit better about not having to worry too much about buying a 'parts' piece. However, like they always say- buy the item, not the story...

IF everything checked out and it was silvered with a very nice maker marked blade and no real liabilities, I'd certainly jump on one for that price. See if the guy would let you take some digital pics before you jump in if you don't feel 100% about it...

Josh

[dot 43]

The last time I saw it was 2 months ago at the flea market. I think he said he was in the Philippines and he got it from someone in a box with a lot of other nazi things. Its not sharpened the handle doesnt have any cracks no portepee. The blade is strait no rust. Not graying and I dont know about makermark or edges it had a good point. There is 1 ding in the scabbard. I think it was silver. I will ask if I can get pictures next time.

It looked alot like this one.
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...ht=army+dagger

[dot 43]

why are darker colored grips more desireable?

[Josh B.]

Personal preference. Lots of collectors like a darker grip. I'm guilty of it... It should be noted that alot of this coloration has come about over the last few decades and is a product of aging. Most lufts and heers originally came with white or yellow grips, not the deep orange to reddish hues seen after aging.

Josh

why are darker colored grips more desireable?

[dot 43]

I went and saw it today I dont have pictures because my camera wasnt working right. Its Alsco marked but the blade isnt shiny and it has pitting the point is perfect. I think Ill save up for a better one.

[Colorado]

I don't own them anymore, but prefer the white grips on early Heer daggers, they are less commonly seen than the orange, but that's me.

On the dagger, I would bet if it was picked up in the Philipines it's seen better days.

[dot 43]

I don't own them anymore, but prefer the white grips on early Heer daggers, they are less commonly seen than the orange, but that's me.

On the dagger, I would bet if it was picked up in the Philipines it's seen better days.

I dont think it was picked up in the philipines he got it at a garage sale with a box of other german stuff. I thought only the japs were in the philipines.