Just to add to the interest of this thread I would like to comment that the provenance of this model dagger was debated at considerable length in the pages of the Max Gazette; four issues from 1991 through 1992 contained major articles, with a final contribution in 1997. The debate was triggered by an assertion in a Roger Steffen Auction catalogue that the early reference books were wrong; the auction presented the dagger as being a German Reichstag Political Dagger, not Latvian at all!
Contributions to that long ago debate were made directly by, Tom Johnson, Bob Moses, Kurt Glemser, Fred Stephens, also indirectly by Tom Wittmann and Ron Weinand. Numerous collectors letters were published and the Editor attempted a summary, but the argument rumbled on.This debate took place in the pre-internet forum era when speed of argument and counter-argument were limited to the then quarterly publishing schedule of the magazine, therefore the participants had several weeks to prepare their respective responses and supporting evidence.
Documentary evidence provided by the several contributors argued that variations of this dagger were made by Eickhorn and Hoerster, were designated for Latvian service, but were also freely available in the 1930's for private purchase. Accounts were also given of these daggers being obtained from US veterans, suggesting some daggers might have been purchased as unofficial gifts/awards.
It was, imho, a quality debate and a worthy forerunner of our present day internet forums.
Contributions to that long ago debate were made directly by, Tom Johnson, Bob Moses, Kurt Glemser, Fred Stephens, also indirectly by Tom Wittmann and Ron Weinand. Numerous collectors letters were published and the Editor attempted a summary, but the argument rumbled on.This debate took place in the pre-internet forum era when speed of argument and counter-argument were limited to the then quarterly publishing schedule of the magazine, therefore the participants had several weeks to prepare their respective responses and supporting evidence.
Documentary evidence provided by the several contributors argued that variations of this dagger were made by Eickhorn and Hoerster, were designated for Latvian service, but were also freely available in the 1930's for private purchase. Accounts were also given of these daggers being obtained from US veterans, suggesting some daggers might have been purchased as unofficial gifts/awards.
It was, imho, a quality debate and a worthy forerunner of our present day internet forums.
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