Himmler Dagger For Review

[BrianK]

Yes, Thank you, I have only dealt with one other Canadian guy on a pricy piece. Nice bloke. I don't know the other dealers well enough....yet. But I will attempt to 'spread the love'. I've been very lucky to find a New Zealand guy who has impeccable credentials, not as a dealer, but a researcher and collector. I've been fortunate to be able to buy some of his pieces.

I don't begrudge TW, BS, or JB being high priced. It's a business. You don't make a buck - you're gone. And there is a business cycle in this field as in every other field of business. Make hay etc...

They should be paid a premium for expertise, research taking a life time, and the overheads and sunk costs associated with holding stock, advertising etc. I don't know if you are a business man, and don't mean to sound patronising, but it always amazes me when successful business owners are slandered or resented. It's a bloody tough row to hoe to make a business work. Good on 'em!

That was probably Lakeside Trader. He's at least as good on authenticity as TW, and a lot better on price. Also sometimes the way to get the best price on daggers is to buy from an otherwise well known TR dealer who doesn't specialize in them. And yes some of them have the high end pieces too.

[BrianK]

Or they make up the facts, i.e the myth of the Himmler dagger.

If someone writes a book on a subject, promotes the items pictured in the book as rare, and then conveniently has a large group of the items for sale at "rare" prices, that is not illegal or immoral, but it is financially self serving. And if I decide I want to buy these items to flip them or hoard them or bury them, I will buy them from the lowest price source. And THAT's good business. And yes despite what TW or TJ or anybody else says, the Himmler dagger is not rare. They were saved by the hundreds in like new condition.

[kiwitedferny]

That was probably Lakeside Trader. He's at least as good on authenticity as TW, and a lot better on price. Also sometimes the way to get the best price on daggers is to buy from an otherwise well known TR dealer who doesn't specialize in them. And yes some of them have the high end pieces too.

It was indeed Lakeside Traders, who, by the way, Bill Shae was kind enough to endorse as a honest dealer and a knowledgable guy. So kudos to Bill for not 'cutting the guys grass'. I haven't heard anything but good things about the bloke.

I just don't know the other dealers well enough yet. It takes a while to establish the contacts!

[Jon Fish]

It was indeed Lakeside Traders, who, by the way, Bill Shae was kind enough to endorse as a honest dealer and a knowledgable guy. So kudos to Bill for not 'cutting the guys grass'. I haven't heard anything but good things about the bloke.

I just don't know the other dealers well enough yet. It takes a while to establish the contacts!

Ted, after last year and you buying SS Rohm, Himmler daggers and a FHH don't worry about establishing contacts, they will all be courting you like a freshly washed up turtle.

[kiwitedferny]

Ted, after last year and you buying SS Rohm, Himmler daggers and a FHH don't worry about establishing contacts, they will all be courting you like a freshly washed up turtle.

Jon, I do believe I heard myself referred to as a 'whale' while at the SOS. Hopefully they'll buy me a drink before they screw me! Lol!

I have a very good advisor here in NZ. I listen very carefully to his advice. Anyway, back to the topic in hand. Himmler daggers and dealer stashes....what constitutes a stash? 3? 5? I don't imagine many dealers having more than 2 or 3 max. Steve Wolfe might have those numbers, but not many others. But who knows? If there are such stashes, my guess is that they are being pointed at the emerging Chinese market. That'll be a fascinating selling market to watch.

[The Red Baron]

Jon, I do believe I heard myself referred to as a 'whale' while at the SOS. Hopefully they'll buy me a drink before they screw me! Lol!

I have a very good advisor here in NZ. I listen very carefully to his advice. Anyway, back to the topic in hand. Himmler daggers and dealer stashes....what constitutes a stash? 3? 5? I don't imagine many dealers having more than 2 or 3 max. Steve Wolfe might have those numbers, but not many others. But who knows? If there are such stashes, my guess is that they are being pointed at the emerging Chinese market. That'll be a fascinating selling market to watch.

I don't believe the "stash" assertion; it doesn't make economic sense. As i said earlier I think it is likely just people like Wolfe who love having a few and are willing to sell if you will pay a premium. I wouldn't mind owning 2-3, who would!

And Rare is all 'subjective'; there is even a thread to what these terms constitute. Brian if you have any very top conditioned Himmler's (100% lacuqer, perfect grip, blade, etc.) "closer to 10k" contact me asap and I'll buy any you find!

[The Red Baron]

That was probably Lakeside Trader. He's at least as good on authenticity as TW, and a lot better on price.

I don't know if thats true anymore; he has built such a strong reputation and level of exposure his prices are on the rise; e.g. the $850 (albeit mint, 1936 cloth tagged) SS armband he sold yesterday or the day before on his site. Was a beauty though. And along the lines I've reiterated; if someone wants a perfect one; that is it. If its just for fun and you can afford it more power to you. And with Paul's time and effort he has put into his business, reputation, etc., kudos to him.

[tobau]

T.W. states in his book on page 95 there exist an original Propaganda film of personally presenting the first 200 daggers bearing his inscription from himself.Anybody has a link at that film?

[11C]

I don't know if thats true anymore; he has built such a strong reputation and level of exposure his prices are on the rise; e.g. the $850 (albeit mint, 1936 cloth tagged) SS armband he sold yesterday or the day before on his site. Was a beauty though. And along the lines I've reiterated; if someone wants a perfect one; that is it. If its just for fun and you can afford it more power to you. And with Paul's time and effort he has put into his business, reputation, etc., kudos to him.

Paull is great! If you don't want the high end stuff, he's perfect; fair prices and wonderful customer service. He posts new material daily and he is very informative and knows the material very well. Nothing but good things to say about his business.

[The Red Baron]

T.W. states in his book on page 95 there exist an original Propaganda film of personally presenting the first 200 daggers bearing his inscription from himself.Anybody has a link at that film?

This is really cool; I'm interested as well. May just email Witty himself and ask

[BrianK]

While you emailing Witty ask him why he says Himmler daggers are disappearing into collections and will never be seen again, or why he supports the questionable Party Days and Olympic HJ daggers, and why he sells fake flags, and "bronze" statues really made of pot metal, and on and on and on.

[11C]

While you emailing Witty ask him why he says Himmler daggers are disappearing into collections and will never be seen again, or why he supports the questionable Party Days and Olympic HJ daggers, and why he sells fake flags, and "bronze" statues really made of pot metal, and on and on and on.

Whenever I talk to Tom he sounds more and more like Charlie Synder every time. His materal in looking more like Synder's as well. At least I don't have to listen to German marching music when I access his site. I'll be surprised if he doesn't pull at least two Himmlers out of the SOS show.

[The Red Baron]

Whenever I talk to Tom he sounds more and more like Charlie Synder every time. His materal in looking more like Synder's as well. At least I don't have to listen to German marching music when I access his site. I'll be surprised if he doesn't pull at least two Himmlers out of the SOS show.

Maybe he'll sell you one at a reasonable price; wouldn't that be nice of him trying to help out a pining collector......

[Seiler]

This is really cool; I'm interested as well. May just email Witty himself and ask

Several years back,the BBC had a several weeks program which
I did see.If I recall it was named "Hitler,A history"Quite clearly there
is an episode on "The Night of The Long Knives"which has a clip
of Heinie walking along the ranks of the LAH with an Aide ,and handing
out a dagger to each man both Officers and EM .Maybe about couple
dozen men are seen in two very ragged lines receiving.
Cant recall for sure but I seem to recall Mollo was in the BBC credits.
Seiler.
.

[The Red Baron]

Several years back,the BBC had a several weeks program which
I did see.If I recall it was named "Hitler,A history"Quite clearly there
is an episode on "The Night of The Long Knives"which has a clip
of Heinie walking along the ranks of the LAH with an Aide ,and handing
out a dagger to each man both Officers and EM .Maybe about couple
dozen men are seen in two very ragged lines receiving.
Cant recall for sure but I seem to recall Mollo was in the BBC credits.
Seiler.
.

Interesting