Opinions on Kriegsmarine Dagger with Ivory Grip...

[dzyner]

Hi all,

I just received this nice Kriegsmarine dagger with what I'm 99% sure is a genuine Ivory grip. I'd like some opinions on it overall (condition, any reg flags, etc). It looks like a very nice, completely un-messed with dagger!

Also, what are your thoughts on the tarnishing around the scabbard rings. Have you ever seen tarnishing in just these areas? Should I attempt to remove it?



























Thanks!
Dzyner

I collect German Daggers.

[heyst56]

You must rotate the Eagle


Hans

[heyst56]

You must rotate the Eagle, He is backwards


Hans

[dzyner]

Thanks Hans. I can't tighten it that much so I'll need to rotate the guard.

[Billy G]

A great looking overall rig, even more beautiful ivory grip. Take care not to overtighten the grip as those ivory jobs are quite prone to cracking & chipping. Not sure what to make of the oxidation around the scabbard rings, get an expert opinion before messing with it as you don't want to do more damage.

[DR DOLCH]

Thanks Hans. I can't tighten it that much so I'll need to rotate the guard.

If you can't tighten the eagle then loosen it a half turn ,with the knot know one will know the difference and you don't have to worry about cracking it.Nice dagger rig

[dzyner]

Hey Dr Dolch, what is your opinion about the tarnished scabbard rings? Is it common? Should I clean them or leave them be?

[wolfeknives]

To me it looks like an artificial ivory grip. You will be able to tell when you remove the pommel.
It is a very nice dagger though, with the set-in-place portepee.

Wolfgang

[dzyner]

To me it looks like an artificial ivory grip. You will be able to tell when you remove the pommel.

Wolfgang, can you elaborate a bit on what I need to look for when I remove the pommel? What indicates artificial versus authentic ivory?

[wolfeknives]

Wolfgang, can you elaborate a bit on what I need to look for when I remove the pommel? What indicates artificial versus authentic ivory?

The grain lines in ivory are usually closer together, and more irregular. The grip on your dagger has all the marks of artificial or "french" ivory. It usually consists of a thin layer of Celluloid shrunk over a wood core, but could also be solid.
When you remove the pommel you should be able to see the wooden core. If it is genuine ivory, you may be able to see the end grain, or more correctly the very distinctive schreger lines.
It looks like your dagger may have been stored in a wet location at one time. This caused the material forming the grain lines in the celluloid to discolor. Ivory would discolor as well, but in a slightly different fashion. The storage storage may also be responsible for the corrosion of the grip wire and scabbard bands.
If it is a celluloid grip, make sure you do not over tighten the pommel, it will crack the grip. You can not turn the guard because of the button location.

Wolfgang

[rbminis]

If you need to loosen it, make a small cardboard washer to put on before you screw the eagle back on and it will compensate for any looseness.
Ralph.

[DR DOLCH]

Hey Dr Dolch, what is your opinion about the tarnished scabbard rings? Is it common? Should I clean them or leave them be?

I think the handle is genuine ivory.I would not clean the scabbard rings. The whole dagger was subject to the same element that changed the color of the scabbard rings.Looking at the dagger one can see the whole dagger has the patinia all over.So if you clean the scabbard bands you have to clean the wire around the grip,the lion heads on the hanger ect,it all matches now so leave it that way.Don't untie the knot from the dagger it has been on the dagger from the end of the war,if you ever untie it ,it will never look the same.Nice unmessed with dagger,not often seen.

[dzyner]

Thanks for all the comments and feedback guys!

Wolfgang, I took the pommel cap off and the grip is 100% solid. I'll shoot some photos in the morning and post them. This will also help someone else who stumbles on this thread wondering if theirs is genuine or not.

[David48]

If all else fails there is a melt test. Take a medium size needle and heat it red hot. (Hold the needle in pliers.)
Find a hidden spot on the grip and hold the point of the needle with slight pressure against the discrete spot.
If it melts it is man made. If it chars and smokes with a smell of burning hair that is a good sign_it is natural.

[sdesember]

The white residues could be simichrome paste. When it's not wiped clean properly after applying, it leaves white residue like that when it's dry.