Red Cross Dagger

[Rendsburg]

Hi,
What do you think about this dagger? Original? Copy?
No maker mark. If original, how much can I pay for the dagger?
Thanks,
Otto

[Rendsburg]

Pic 2

[Rendsburg]

Pic 3

[Rendsburg]

Pic4

[Rendsburg]

Pic 5

[David C]

Interesting.

Before I start I have not yet had the pleasure of handling one of these hewers and am no expert.

Scabbard and frog both look fine to me. The degree of wear to the hewer is uniform and consistent. These were rarely if ever? maker marked. I have never seen one with white grips, always black. The obverse grip is knurled as it should be, likewise the reverse grip being smooth is correct. In all of my reference photos the screw heads in the grip are flush fitting, yours appear to be recessed. It may be the photo but the obverse grip plate appears to be a bad fit.

The DRK eagle also looks to have poor detail, could be wear or again the quality of the photo.

The crossguard appears crooked also. In the obverse shot it is running downhill left to right. The reverse view is correspondingly downhill right to left.

I am undecided as to originality especially considering the grip, perhaps someone more knowledgeable can chip in.

In this condition, if real, I would say about $350 - $500 maybe?

David.

[sauerland]

I looked at the one that is in my collection besides the the grip on mine being black the sheath on mine has no rivits and is stamped in rear top leather with eagle and swastika.The blade on mine is marked under blank side of oval decoration :Ges Geschutzt. .Also the set screws for handle on one pictured seem to be countersunk quit a bit more than mine.I paid $450.00 for mine 2 years ago.If it is a fake i would say it is a darn good one. But i am inclined to believe that it is late war era.

[Colorado]

It is a Robert Klaas DRK. Tough to tell by the picture of the eagle. Probably this is a late pot metal crossguard and the metal is not holding up well to age. The blade condition and quality is consistant with later production. I am pretty though sure those grips never left the factory that color.

[Rendsburg]

Thanks Guys,

Yes it's Robert Klass marked under the grips.
Otto

[Bikerman]

the wear on the blade doesnt match the scabbard or frog. REpaint? Handleplates looks like new and also dont match the wear imo.

[Skipper Greenwade]

I agree with Jeff...late war production parts, but I've never seen white grip plates. My best guess is that it's a parts dagger.

I would be hesitant to comment re: value

Hope that helps...sorry I can't be more conclusive,
Skip

[Rendsburg]

Thanks Skip,

Otto