Napola staff leader

[Billy G]

David,

Honestly I don't feel confident saying it looks like a fake or it doesn't. If it's a new(er) Czech fake, I can say I've never seen one up close.

[inimicus]

thanks, mate.

it's interesting. notwithstanding doubts, several 'power hitters' here and elsewhere have already PM'd me offering to buy the dagger - and for no small money.

maybe this thread will reprise the wailing, renting garments and gnashing teeth that went on for many days about my postal dagger and ss t.k. ring - before thumbs finally made their way weary upward.... this would be an equally welcome outcome. ;--)

but seriously, I appreciate all the remarks and critical thinking an item like this inspires -- especially in those ready to back up doubts (public or private) with substance.

I mean, is an eick napola having a 2-screw scabb and not a 'textbook' single-screw, and nickel 'sted of alu fittings really enough to set off alarm bells? if so, why are real npeas found with a variety of frogs (in a wide variety of colors) besides the prescribed single-rivet oxblood model?

early on I used the word 'latitude' concerning such divergences from the napola norm. could this not just be another legitimate instance?

[DR DOLCH]

How can a dagger that is 70 years old still have original green paint on the inside of the opening in the scabbard thoat? Was the dagger never inserted in the scabbard. It should have runner marks and a telltale sign where the scabbard springs rested over the years on the blade. The scabbard paint should also show minute marks and scratches.Does it?

[Frogprince]

These daggers are not in my spheres of interest, so my observations are offered in a search for answers to what I have read from a general perspective. The cross guards are die cast, so if they are non-magnetic and heavier than aluminum, then they are plated zinc. The comment on the paint in the mouthpiece (and lack of scuffs/scratches) was duly noted and I'm inclined to agree. And while the etching looks to be reasonably nicely done, the theoretically brand new factory polished blade underneath in some places does not look quite as good. Best regards to all. FP

[JR.]

David, Using a small mirror, hold it under the scabbard lug, and see if you see anything on the underside. Thanks, JR

[inimicus]

thanks doc.

a few points, a question and one discovery:


* there is virtually no green paint in the said scabbard mouth besides a bit of 'overspray.'

* as to runner marks certainly there are some and in the accustomed areas of blade; just faint as per any little-handled dagger - and devilish hard to photograph given the brightness and reflectance.

* should I remove the runner to make sure they're the correct (brass?) type?

* yes there are minute scabbard marks and scratches; again hard to record w/out a true macro lens.

* newswise - (are you listening, ron?) using a powerful flashlite I found a mark under the frog stud that I'd first missed. it's '753H' which I think t. johnson and others have said was stamped into these horster-made parts for the single-screw bergsmuller scabbard.

so it seems this eick is in the 'wrong' scabbard. no biggie, and as easily understood in this context, I'd have thought, as a late war heer nickel dagger in an otherwise period-untouched early silver-plate scabb. or the not-so-very uncommon rzm sa with nickel, not 'flash-plated', fittings. or the nickel eagle on an rzm ss dagger. the list of anomalies is long.


cheers.

How can a dagger that is 70 years old still have original green paint on the inside of the opening in the scabbard thoat? Was the dagger never inserted in the scabbard. It should have runner marks and a telltale sign where the scabbard springs rested over the years on the blade. The scabbard paint should also show minute marks and scratches.Does it?

[inimicus]

hello fp -

thanks. please see my reax to doc dolch.


lately, someone asked if the motto is spurious 'photo-etched' vs. the norm. how would I learn that? if you or other know kindly full us in.

is plated zinc for an eick napola truly bad or just a variation?

dw

These daggers are not in my spheres of interest, so my observations are offered in a search for answers to what I have read from a general perspective. The cross guards are die cast, so if they are non-magnetic and heavier than aluminum, then they are plated zinc. The comment on the paint in the mouthpiece (and lack of scuffs/scratches) was duly noted and I'm inclined to agree. And while the etching looks to be reasonably nicely done, the theoretically brand new factory polished blade underneath in some places does not look quite as good. Best regards to all. FP

[inimicus]

hey jr. just answered that one - eureka!

[Frogprince]

David, My sense of it is conventional etching. Best regards, FP

[inimicus]

thanks fp.

[inimicus]

E-standed as a parts dagger.

[inimicus]

S o l d

[ValhallaMilitaria]

Interesting piece David and like Dr.Dolch already stated, if it is fake its a scary good one. NPEA daggers are tricky and I have yet to actually see a 'real' one.

[inimicus]

thanks, man. good hunting, d

Interesting piece David and like Dr.Dolch already stated, if it is fake its a scary good one. NPEA daggers are tricky and I have yet to actually see a 'real' one.