1st luft Siegfried Waffen

[Godts]

Comments on this dagger plz, I recently obtained it from someone who didn't have that much info about it and since i'm new to collecting i'd like some professional opinions. Only flaw it has is the missing topplate on the scabbard.
If i'm not mistaken it has nickel fittings (or nickel-silver?) but is it 1st, mid, 2nd period?
Is there a site where I can find general info on ww2 german daggers concerning makers, period, materials?
And finally what value would u give this dagger?

Kind Regards,
Godts

[Obiwahnkinobi]

Books: Thomas Wittmann Exploring the dress daggers of the german army, navy, luftwaffe ss.
Throat peace is missing.
Nice Blade.
For Basic information use this site:
http://www.germandressdaggers.com/Luft%201htm.htm

[Stu W]

Hello Godts,

That's a nice piece you have there. As has been said above the Wittmann series is great for anyone thinking of collecting or learning about dress daggers. One of our WAF members (Paul Holge) has a web site with them for sale. Have a look at this link...

http://www.lakesidetrader.com/Luftwaffe.html

...top of page is the book.

Kind regards,
Stu

[Dutchknive]

This dagger came form me, and had all the info you wanted. Next time, just ask, have all the books and if asked you could get a copy of the page where this kind of dagger is discussed.
See this happen to often, just buy to have, only interested in price or value, but dont even have a bit knowlegde at all. Lucky for you that it came from a real collector, who knows where to look for and has knowledge, and doesn't sell fakes. And fakes are easy to get, just look arround (not on the WAF or GD) so mind your steps. P.E on the Belgium show next weekend, it would be hard to find a real one!

Buy books, and learn, you cant buy knowledge!

[Obiwahnkinobi]

This dagger came form me, and had all the info you wanted. Next time, just ask, have all the books and if asked you could get a copy of the page where this kind of dagger is discussed.
See this happen to often, just buy to have, only interested in price or value, but dont even have a bit knowlegde at all. Lucky for you that it came from a real collector, who knows where to look for and has knowledge, and doesn't sell fakes. And fakes are easy to get, just look arround (not on the WAF or GD) so mind your steps. P.E on the Belgium show next weekend, it would be hard to find a real one!

Buy books, and learn, you cant buy knowledge!

Do you mean ciney?
You are totally right with the knowledge but books are not the solution for all.
Experience (fairtrades) is additionally to the books usefull /needed

[Dutchknive]

Yes Ciney. Books are the basics. you can read them in bed, bath at the toilet, and better take them with you to fairs and trades. At forums like GD and here you can learn even more, although thare are stories to be sold, to cover the facts. As long you remember it's the item to be focused on.
And not everything said at a forum is a fact, there's a very small red line between real and fake.

[Godts]

This dagger came form me, and had all the info you wanted. Next time, just ask, have all the books and if asked you could get a copy of the page where this kind of dagger is discussed.
See this happen to often, just buy to have, only interested in price or value, but dont even have a bit knowlegde at all. Lucky for you that it came from a real collector, who knows where to look for and has knowledge, and doesn't sell fakes. And fakes are easy to get, just look arround (not on the WAF or GD) so mind your steps. P.E on the Belgium show next weekend, it would be hard to find a real one!

Buy books, and learn, you cant buy knowledge!

I'm sorry but I didn't buy this dagger from u, I got it from someone who deliveres goods now and then at my work. He claimed to have bought it about 6months-a year ago. Due to financial problems he needed money so I bought this dagger and a DRK hauer from him for 300euro's each. Unfortunately he couldn't give me alot of information about them but he assured me he got them from respectable collectors and recommended this site if I wanted to know more about collecting and militaria in general. If u are the previous owner of this 1st Luft it would be much appreciated if u could give me some information about it. I'm sure u weren't born with all the knowledge u have now, everyone starts from zero.

I haven't bought this dagger just 'to have' or to sell for profit's. I have bought this dagger due to the fact that i'm interested in WW2 since my childhood and only recently I decided to actually start collecting some nice pieces to make a display in my private workshop.
Since we recently renovated our house and will need new insurances I would like the know the real value of these 2 daggers.

Best,
Godts

[Viewfinder]

I think that is one beautiful old dagger you have there!

[sb98]

This dagger came form me, and had all the info you wanted. Next time, just ask, have all the books and if asked you could get a copy of the page where this kind of dagger is discussed.
See this happen to often, just buy to have, only interested in price or value, but dont even have a bit knowlegde at all. Lucky for you that it came from a real collector, who knows where to look for and has knowledge, and doesn't sell fakes. And fakes are easy to get, just look arround (not on the WAF or GD) so mind your steps. P.E on the Belgium show next weekend, it would be hard to find a real one!

Buy books, and learn, you cant buy knowledge!

Geez, lighten up! There's absolutely nothing wrong with a collector, new or old, asking for opinions about an item. Read up on the topic for knowledge? Great idea, that's why Godts asked if there was a website with general information on daggers - so he could do his homework.

Godts, don't let this discourage you from collecting or using this forum. There are a lot of friendly, helpful people here.

[SwordFish]

Nothing wrong with this example as far as authenticity goes. Conditon wise, it's lacking a little bit when examining the "big picture". If the price was right, then this dagger is fine. It could be repaired with relative ease, if the new owner should be inclined. Keep an eye on TJ site as he periodically has 1st model fittings in. The entire scabbard throat piece needs to be replaced.

As far as learning goes, study study study..and handle both good and bad examples. Books help, save photos from the forums, etc. New and seasoned collectors alike should always feel welcome on the forums. That being said, there are some guys who show up, want a free appraisal and suck information out of the experienced members, then go and flip the dagger on ebay or whatever medium they choose. When that happens, I agree it's frustrating. That being said, that's not typically the case. I'm always willing to help out a younger, less experienced collector where I can...i try to read through any BS and if I smell a predator, a crook, etc., I then will shut it down, and take appropriate action with moderators, etc to protect the legitimate members.

Anyway, sorry to digress. The daggers fine. Blade looks quite minty.

[klr]

Welcome to the forum. This one and a DRK is a nice start to a collection. Sounds like very good prices. The Whittman books are a good investment. One mistake on a dagger will cost more than all four books. Kirby

[Godts]

Let's not blow this out of proportions people, no insults are done and none are taken, it's just the result of some misunderstandings so let's leave it at this plz, there are worst things in life nowadays.

What I've learned from this is to invest in decent books, I go to the fair in Ciney next week and will try to get my hands on some copies. It's also nice to have this forum to check for info and who knows, make new friends. Seems to me that's the most valuable thing to have when collecting

Best,
Godts

[SwordFish]

Godts-
Books are good certainly. I also reccommend spending as much time viewing both good and bad examples on the forums. All of them. Be sure to check all, germandaggers.com, this one, worlwarmilitaria.com, etc., etc. Save images of both examples to your hard drive. In the last few years, i began collecting KM badges. I opted not to purchase the books on navy badges, however immersed myself with the various threads on KM badges. As such, I have over 1 thousand KM badge examples saved, legitimate and reproductions of each example. This "library" I have compiled has been monumentally helpful, along with the input from my peers who are seasoned badge guys.

Don't discount the books, but there are other options out there as well. Since i'm primarily an edged weapons guy, who focuses on Heer sabers, I own the very limited number of reference produced on the subject matter. Some are more valuable than others, but each has it's own intrinsic value including period images of examples in wear.

t

[Godts]

SwordFish: Nothing wrong with this example as far as authenticity goes. Conditon wise, it's lacking a little bit when examining the "big picture". If the price was right, then this dagger is fine. It could be repaired with relative ease, if the new owner should be inclined. Keep an eye on TJ site as he periodically has 1st model fittings in. The entire scabbard throat piece needs to be replaced.

TJ site?
Actually I don't think I will replace the throat piece because I think u will see it's a 'replacement', i mean what are the chances of it having the same patina as the rest...
I also prefer to leave it this way because this is the way I obtained it, it has lead it's own life, it must have lost it's topplate for some reason so now it's time for it to retire in it's own glory.

Best,
Godts

[SwordFish]

TJ= Tom Johnson

ONe of the better sources for replacement parts.

It's up to you and a personal choice when it comes to areas like cleaning, repairs and preservation. The latter, preservation, being the most important. Anytime I perform any modification which alters a piece from the condition in which I received it (exluding various cleaning and/or preservation), I will note it as such, and if the time comes to sell the item, I ALWAYS disclose the modification. My feeling is that it's incumbant for honest and ethical collectors to do so.

Keep in mind, 1st model Luft daggers are prone to various forms of degredation. Preservation should be a serious consideration. Check the various forums for the best preservation meathods and you'll thank yourself down the road. However, be sure you read and study up on the various techniques prior to application or you may end up regretting it after all. I've seen many a' piece ruined by the uninitiated.

t