Rare! Railway leader dagger, 1st model.

[Loke]

Rare! Railway leader dagger 1st model. Belongs to a friend of mine. Expert opinions welcome.

[heers68]

Nice grip, but dagger looks pieced together. Eickhorn hilt fittings, Alcoso scabbard and Klaas blade? No expert on these Railway daggers but it raises questions for me. Kevin.

[JR.]

They like to be called that but in my opinion they are an Army with a darker grip that Klaas may have received a deal on, and put them on their daggers. With my friend Kevin, this dagger sports a Klaas blade and an Eickhorn crossguard, so it would need further inspection to see if those parts actually were assembled that way when the piece was made.

[Loke]

Thanks for your comments! I guess it was quite common for the different producers to help each other out with different parts from time to time, due to lack of materials and events of war. Several authentic daggers are known to have parts from different producers, so I don't think we shall turn our thumb down for this dagger yet.

[JR.]

"Thanks for your comments! I guess it was quite common for the different producers to help each other out with different parts from time to time, due to lack of materials and events of war. Several authentic daggers are known to have parts from different producers, so I don't think we shall turn our thumb down for this dagger yet. "







Absolutely not and actually Klaas was not a true manufacture. They in turn purchased their parts from other manufactures and elected to just assemble edged weapons and not actually manufacture the parts to do so. Your statement is absolutely true.

[Loke]

Thx JR. The pictures of this dagger does of course not show the well fit and perfectly match the different parts on this dagger make. It is my strong belief that this is a genuine piece, but other opinions are welcome. It would be grand if some other Railway leader dagger 1st model could be posted in the thread!

[Craig H]

Should have the "astreix" on the scabbard band . Cant tell from the provided pics.

[Loke]

Hi Craig. The astrix on the scabbard is quite the same as the one in this photo, I will add a photo of it later. (Thomas Wittmann collector, photo by Charles Jenkins)

[daggers]

Sorry, right in general but absolute nonsense in detail. Klaas NEVER used crossguards from Eickhorn and Eickhorn NEVER did use parts of Klaas.
Greetings, daggers.

[Loke]

Hi Daggers, thanks for your contribution. Your description of the opinions of others as the absolute nonsense seems to me as quite weak statement, as you do not even mention any source. Did you read a book? Found something informative at the dealers website? Please feel free to explain yourself.
As for myself, I am not at all convinced that this crossguard is of Eickhorn production.

[Serge M.]

I concur with 'daggers'. I wouldn't want Eickhorn parts on a Klaas bladed dagger. Both major producers who made their own parts.

Your crossguard is what's known as a type 4 for Eickhorn. Very distinctive even down to the flaw in the swastika. Here's a chart to help you out. Has also a zoom feature.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...IXIASfg1VmGlyg


-wagner-

[patrice]

Loke, though many manufacturers did use parts from different sources, Klaas never used any Eickhorn fittings for their Army daggers.
By the way, we do read books and there is no need to be insulting by telling others that they are non sense.



Read Wittman's book on Army daggers and you will see what we mean.

We are just trying to help you and you've asked us for our opinion and there you have it. Whether or not you like what you hear is of no consequence to our conclusion, a Klaas Army dagger with an Eickhorn crossguard is NON SENSE to those that have read the proper books.

If you like the dagger so much, buy it, but I can guarantee you that you will never be able to sell it as an original on this forum and that Mister, is a fact.

This dagger was "put together" and its resale value will be greatly affected eventhough all the parts are original.

[Loke]

Hi Wagner, thanks for this most interesting information. Eickhorn crossguard it is then, on this dagger. The dagger was purchased from the well-known dealer of militaria, Thomas M. Johnson, somewhat 8-10 years ago.

...By the way, we do read books and there is no need to be insulting by telling others that they are non sense...

Hi Patrice, I totally agree with you there!

[Serge M.]

Hi Wagner, thanks for this most interesting information. Eickhorn crossguard it is then, on this dagger. The dagger was purchased from the well-known dealer of militaria, Thomas M. Johnson, somewhat 8-10 years ago.

Sorry Loke, But as we say 'It IS, what IT IS'.

We sees these many a time. Usually it's a case of a de-nazified crossguard replaced postwar with another loose part crossguard.

When you said who you purchased it from we all know that you didn't get it cheap.
You pay premium when you buy from a 'trusted source' in the hobby. A source who even years later should be able to make it right with you if the item 'slipped past The Staff'.
Everyone can make a mistake, it's when you bring the 'mistake' back is were the real test of the integrity is shown.

Pat is naturally correct. You have a 'parts dagger', which no collector wants to knowingly posses. It would taint everything else in your collection with a cloud of suspicion from the collector mind set. A price no colllector can afford.

I would return it if I were you.
If you do decide to return it, let us know how it turns out.


-wagner-

[Loke]

Thanks, Wagner! The dagger was never mine, but posted for a friend. You have been most helpful providing information, and that goes for all you other guys who have been posting in this thread as well. I will post many more daggers later, and I do hope you all will find the time to take a look and perhaps tell what you think.

Thanks again, folks!

Cincerely,

Loke