What to look for in an SA dagger

[juoneen]

I am always seeing people ask what to look for in an SA dagger. look at these scans and see for yourself.

First thing is to see that the handle fits the crossguards ike this photo illustrates.

[juoneen]

look to see the original finish is on the scabbard



This particular one is an anodized scabbard.

[juoneen]

look closelu to see if the emblems fit well



This one shows its age, with a little green around the SA emblem. By the way i wont even clean this goob around the edges off.

[juoneen]

here is another shot showing how the wood should fit

[juoneen]

one of the back side to illustrate again the fit

[juoneen]

makers mark of an earlier example



Note the grind marks visible consistant from hilt to tip..

[juoneen]

the eagle should fit with real craftsmanship

[juoneen]

this scabbard shows actual wear by the original owner



To show actual honest wear is normal, and does not devaluate a dagger at all.

[juoneen]

front side wont have wear as often as it doesnt rub on the hip



The only wear found usually is from the hand resting on the dagger occasionally, or from holding the scabbard to pull the blade from the scabbard.

[juoneen]

the nut at the top should not have ANY boogering

[juoneen]

early nickled crossguards should have mark



A little honest wear on the handle is common.

[juoneen]

Its always a plus when the tip has no signs of denting



The same with the screws. Always try and buy them with no boogering to the screw heads by incorrect tools. I always reccomend to buy a chapman gundriver set for not only use on daggers ...If you have to remove a screw, but also for the correct size for gunscrews. These chapman sets can be found at your local stores that carry quality gun tools, or at shows. Thes are made specificly for just guns, and will not slip if properly choosen for the correct slot size. Otherwise i suggest to ABSOLUTELY NOT even mess with screws till you have a set. Regular screwdrivers will not be the PROPER tool.

[juoneen]

as you can see the parts marry together if original to the dagger.



When a dagger is tight, screws are not boogered, and parts marry to fit well...one doesnt need to take it apart to check anything. That will possibly damage the daggers value, especially on SS or SA daggers.

[juoneen]

a few blems from age or even a fingerprint is OK...dont take em off



Also drag marks are supposed to be there, its when you try and make the blade drag marks not be there that you ruin the value , and this removes precious grind marks that are a specific number factory ground finish. Look to see if the horizontal grind marks are missing in shiny spots, as that tells the tale some nimrod got there hands on it , and decreased the value by doing so. This dagger has not been messed with.

[juoneen]

The same goes for the front side



The motto even with a little natural wear is important to not mess with, as it also should not be shiny, but subdued from its etching...different makers have different charachteristics , such as pimpling , among other things you should research to attribute to specific makers. They all have their own personalitys,especially the smaller mom and pop companys that did not make mass production runs, but should be similar.(to that maker) Vets also kept these things in drawers, and trunks, and a little oxidation depends on the owner who liberated it kept it, as some are better at taking care of their souveniers than others.(attics roofs leak, moths get into cloth left unprotected even with moth balls, so Its the luck of the draw.They are as they are found.