Eickhorn Kriegsmarine dirk, Named

[georgecl]

Just received this Named Kriegsmarine Dirk.
Double oval stamped maker mark.
double etched fouled anchor blade rusted.
Handle missing covering and wire.
Engraved "Dewald" on grip cross-guard furrrule.

Is there anyway to find this officer's service records.

Thanks
George

[georgecl]

more pics.

[georgecl]

blade marks

[georgecl]

blade has lots of rust, should I try to clean it up?

[JohnZ]

If you don't clean it or coat it, it will keep on rusting till it's all gone.

I try to get rid of rust, thne coat with Renwax to protect for the future.

John

[Schlange]

The rust is not developing because older rust in metal - but because of moisture.
(Pure chemical process.)
If you want to prevent the formation of rust - you must find a better accommodation for dagger.
If the moisture is not important for you, the rust will reappear again and again, no matter how many times you clean the dagger.
(And with every cleaning, your dagger lose the value and authenticity, and you have a rare early Eickhorn blade - try to not destroy it.)

Schlange

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

[georgecl]

whats the best way of removing the rust?
navel jelly?

Thanks
George

[Dr.Vet]

Hi George,
Your dagger is Eickhorn M1929 example with replacement pommel.
I think I have an identical in my collection. I will send pictures as soon as I get back from holiday(70th Anniversary Market Garden)
If you want to secure the blade against progressive corrosion use Nevr Dull(it will help you remove 40-50% of rust without damaging the etched panel but in this case I'm afraid that it has been badly damaged already) after cleaning use RenWax.

Cheers
Jakub

[PaulChep]

There were 2 men in the Kriegsmarine with the last name of Dewald, Eberhard and Gunter. If you google both men plus Kriegsmarine you will find information and see that they were both on U-Boots.

[Stede]

george, do not ever mention Naval Jelly in the company of collectors!!! It is highly corrosive gunk that yes- will strip rust- while it destroys everything else including etching and bluing. Naval Jelly is for treating the A frame on that '38 Packard you're restoring... NOT a historic piece like this... and some condition issues aside, a very nice dagger it is.

[Billy G]

The condition of this dagger is a shame but we take these items as we find them. That said, in think it has great character & the potential of learning who originally carried it makes it even more appealing. I imagine this piece isn't for everyone but would still be very desirable to many of us.

Do what you can to remove the rust without doing further damage. Generally less is more when doing conservation to an item. Definitely stay away from naval jelly!

[Lampwick]

So... What I should have bought was KY Jelly NOT Naval Jelly? I thought it stung a bit!

[JohnZ]

Lampwick:

That well depends on the place of application and the tool one uses to apply it!

John

[Lampwick]

[Dan M]

I had good results with removing surface rust on bayonets with WD-40. Not sure how it would work on a dagger.