feldherrnhalle dagger

[kiwitedferny]

What is the general consensus on the number of 'real' FH out there? I've heard and read figures of between 10 and 15. And at the higher number, clearly there is some doubt over some of those. Is there amongst some of you, ummmm.....senior members (I won't say old) who have handled a few over the years, a 'magic number'?

[james m]

I counted 7 examples at the MAX show about 5 years ago so that ought to give you some idea as to the 10-15 number.
Jim

[kiwitedferny]

I counted 7 examples at the MAX show about 5 years ago so that ought to give you some idea as to the 10-15 number.
Jim

Hi Jim. Yes, I have heard the same tales...so that's why I'm enquiring as to how many exist that are generally accepted as 'kosher' (probably not a wise word to use in this context) by the Elder Statesmen of the hobby that they have eyeballed a over the years.

One hears horror stories....

[Barry Brown]

Well....not counting the cased presentation dagger to Victor Lutze and another cased presentation to the Italian General Russo, I personally have seen very few original "standard" FHH during my 50+ years of collecting, maybe four complete with hangers.

[Ron Weinand]

I think we are a little short. I would put the number at around 20. I know of at least 4 in private collections that have not been in known collections or books. I am also sure there are probably a couple to yet be "discovered".

[james m]

I think we are a little short. I would put the number at around 20. I know of at least 4 in private collections that have not been in known collections or books. I am also sure there are probably a couple to yet be "discovered".

Ron:
The last time I discussed this with Tom Johnson he indicated that he felt his original estimate of 50 may be a little short.
Jim

[tobau]

Well....not counting the cased presentation dagger to Victor Lutze and another cased presentation to the Italian General Russo, I personally have seen very few original "standard" FHH during my 50+ years of collecting, maybe four complete with hangers.

Hy Barry,
is it easy for an awared long time collector,as you,to see a FHH-Dagger is the real deal,or there are very good copys around ?
Best

[Barry Brown]

No, it is not easy. For me, the stakes have always been too high to be over confident in one's own judgement. Those more experienced than I with these extremely rare daggers will have other opinions.
There are FHH copies of varying accuracy in circulation.
In the case of an expensive rarity like the FHH there might be a perceived dichotomy between openly sharing detailed knowledge on-line with fellow collectors and "educating" the fraudsters out there. JMO.

Regards

[Ron Weinand]

There have been some fair copies, but there are certain ways to tell (and no, don't ask me) and, believe it or not, MANY original partrs survived the war and were sold over the years.
Even some of the blades were sold in the 1950s as part of left over pieces assembled with some odd other parts (like the 2nd Lufts with the thin leather scabbard that had a small metal tip as sold in Argosy and other magazines).
Some of the plastic grips survived as did crossguards.