I likem like this.........

[N.C. Wyeth]

Cleaning it will do nothing to improve it's condition . . . leave it like it is - a very nice, "untouched" SS dagger.

[JR.]

Cleaning it will do nothing to improve it's condition . . . leave it like it is - a very nice, "untouched" SS dagger.

Exactly Brad Unless a person wants to totally rebuild it like Manfred likes to see a piece.......................... why do anything to it ? I live in a dry climate, real low humidity and certainly this will be much more kind to this dagger than where it lived for the last 65 years. Plus the word is out that the original SS owner has a Race & Settlement file at the "Archives"......... so I've been a bit excited about that as well.

[RommelPlatz]

Serialized SS daggers that have been ID are my love. This alone "should" double the value of a dagger

[N.C. Wyeth]

Plus the word is out that the original SS owner has a Race & Settlement file at the "Archives"......... so I've been a bit excited about that as well.

Very cool . . . probably nothing more than one of those whacky/crazy Medical Students who ran around telling everyone who they could, and who they could not Marry - maybe even the guy who told Eichmann that Veronica didn't quite meet up-to-standard . . ?

Will be interesting to see more . . . looking forward to your future posts!

[N.C. Wyeth]

Serialized SS daggers that have been ID are my love. This alone "should" double the value of a dagger

Be warned - I have been told adding numbers to "double the value" of a dagger has (reputedly) been happening for quite a while now . . . kind of negates the "double the value" thing, if you ask me. I don't think this dagger of JR's is of such variety, but this can be a consideration for some collectors that choose to focus on SS daggers . . .

[juoneen]

This is an about face for you...musta learned something from me , as I tried to school you in this logic myself not too many years ago , and you blew your top about me suggesting this very thing....for you to leave a dagger alone unmolested ,at that time was not your habit. Change is Good....so Congratulations ...i always hoped you'd come around to my way of thinking, as left alone daggers with honest age still retains 95% of full value ,the opposite of what some may think, that dont have the dicipline to just leave as found. .its like an Epiphany...hallelieujah.

[cogwheel]

Wow. You gotta be kiddn'. You mean to say that it takes discipline to leave a beater in its current condition? Does this paradigm include uniforms and other collectibles as well? Since that observation would make me undisciplined you have to forgive me for getting a kick out that.

Sorry, but I just couldn't help myself.

[Billy G]

Are you sure that is a compliment??

It was certainly intended as a compliment, considering JR's photographic skills & overall taste in shots.

[RommelPlatz]

On American Restoration (history channel), a guy spent $1,800 to restore his grandpa's Huey copter helmet. They repainted the whole helmet and even the unit insignia. They made it fresh from the factory. The helmet looked great prior to restoration and I thought the restoration ruined it - but I guess each it own. My opinion is that battle worn items including flags, wall eagles should be left alone but have no problems if some one wants to restore his dagger even though I rather leave it as is.

[cogwheel]

The rule for restoration should be to restore only when absolutely necessary. When you have a dress uniform that has a tear or buttons missing it should be fixed. If it involves a item worn with a dress or service uniform it ought to look accordingly. This dagger was not worn in this condition, and all the damage and neglect was a postwar addition and not the result of period wear.

I never would have responded to this thread if it had been posted any one other than JR. He has and had the most outstanding examples of SS swords and daggers, all in near mint condition. So when he posted this one indicating that this is how he likes 'em I truly thought he was joking.
From the current condition of this dagger I would say that it has enormous potential mainly because of the blade and the undamaged handle. The scabbard is repairable. I wished that some of my political daggers would have looked like this when I found them.

[JR.]

I appreciate all and treasure your friendship, Manfred.

[Rheingold]

Hammesfahr

Nice pick up JR

Regards,

[Dave C.]

Just this last Saturday I held this dagger in hand and I have to say it is great AS IS, untouched...I wouldn't mess with it in the at all at this point

[Eric Von Rader]

I saw that in person as well and its a very nice un-played with example. I would buy an example like JR's as it has not been messed with! Sadly many collectors enjoy buying buffed up, reblued, repaired grips, re-grained blades, parts swapped out etc etc because its "pretty"?

FACT: In many cases restoration can destroy the value in the realm of most antiques.

[cogwheel]

IMO leaving it this way is sad because the rust and corrosion is perpetual and in time there won't be anything left. What some refer to as patina is actually corrosion. Any dress dagger should at least provide a hint of what it was intended for, and these daggers were intended for dress and not combat.
Some years ago a collector friend and I used to display our collections at a local gunshow where we always had a crowd around our table. A few of these onlookers became interested and started collecting themselves. What influenced them was the condition of our displays.

I wonder if that attitude of leaving them dirty and rusty also extends to other dress uniform articles like tunics or visors. I. e. the more ripped and dirty - the better.
I don't care if it is at the MAX or SOS items on display that are intended for dress are generally presentable. The dirty and rusty stuff is usually for sale by some seller who tells you how great it is to have a 'historical mimento'. But if that is what you really want and pay good money for, have at it. Just keep a pair of gloves handy next time you want to show off your find so you won't catch hepatitis.

I totally agree that some socalled restorations ruin many daggers. Because in most cases where this happens they were not restored but just plain old messed with.

By 'you' I am not referring to any particular individual, but to anyone.