Luft Damascus Dagger.... Not really...

[Michael N]

Would like to bring this one up for discussion, comes from an auction house in the mid-west, a little pricey for parts but estimated at 4500 to 6500 lol imo junk but would like to hear others.

[damasco]

That about does it.. Comment is on the blade..

[Frogprince]

That about does it.. Comment is on the blade..

Yes, but look at it this way. For your 4500 to 6500 you also get the "gold" General Officers hanger. And no I'm not being serious. FP

[nickn]

The grip looks ivory

[Schlange]

Early SMF Solingen?

Schlange

http://www.mojalbum.com/schlange88/albumi

[djtshc]

I don't know anything about these. Just out of curiosity, can someone briefly explain why this is junk? Thanks for enlightening me.

[nickn]

Yes why junk?
Is the blade s fake?
The rest of the fittings look fine and the ivory grip and wire very nice

[Frogprince]

Yes why junk?
Is the blade s fake?
The rest of the fittings look fine and the ivory grip and wire very nice

Which is the uncertainty of the matter from the pictures provided IMO. With the dagger itself appearing noticeably aged, the hanger threads and scabbard pebbling seem to be fairly distinct. But the blade is blurred (at least on my monitor) with an overall gray appearance even where there are (or should be) runner marks. So the next test for me would be to see if the auction house will provide some much better images of the blade. And while they are doing that it would not hurt to look at the grip and rest of the dagger. And if they don't want to cooperate it may as well be junk, because I don't know what their return policies or track record is like. FP

[damasco]

Yes why junk?
Is the blade s fake?
The rest of the fittings look fine and the ivory grip and wire very nice

Yes, the blade is (postwar, not original, post 1945, not German). You are not spending the large sum of money on the fittings and grip .. It is the blade, and if the blade is not a period item than there is no reason to spend more than what the fittings etc are worth... May I suggest a great book on Damascus that all blade collectors should have.... Damascus Steel by Manfred Sachse in English always for sale on e-bay half the price of the German edition (the Godfather of Modern German damascus... He bought Paul Dinger and Karl (carl) Wester's damascus forge business. He has since sold his business and retired... He made damascus for Boker etc.. of Solingen. And also Johnson and Wittmann series of books. Wittmann has some great info on damascus Armies and lufts etc.... Good reference helps as the forum sometimes is not the best place to be
( enlightened ).. The blades like the one pictured can be bought online,at military and gun shows.. it is damascus but not period damascus..
These blades do not hold a candle to original blades...

[Tiger 1]

+1 to everything Fred and James stated.

Tony

[nickn]

From the photos posted I cannot even see that the blade is Damascus let alone post 45
I can see the grip is ivory

[Michael N]

Just a follow up - requested additional photos so far nothing will wait till early next week and post another update.

Fred and James, guys thank you confirming what I initial thought!


More soon I hope...

[djtshc]

This auction's policy is "as is, where is, all sales final, no refunds, no returns". Buyer beware!

[damasco]

good luck

[nickn]

Sorry why so rude?
I was just making the point
From the photos posted on this form I cannot see what the blades made of
I have been collecting for over 35 years and know my German daggers
From good photos or in hand I would know instantly if it was genuine