What is really interesting is the 'waffle" pattern on the rivet holding the blade spring.
This type of "waffle" pattern also appears on suspect naval badges by Schwerin.
Very curious.
An opinion should be the result of thought, not a substitute for it.
I also think artificial mainly because of the distinct and crisp edges. Also the pattern does not alter shape in the areas where one would expect there to be some stretching and variation. Post some pictures of the blade edges they will help the guys that know better to judge.
Hi hesserl, Damascus is not my thing either but if you run your finger nail down the blade and you feel grooves then its probably artificial Damascus and the pattern has been done by etching, if its smooth then it could be Damascus. The dagger itself does not look right to me, it looks like an Alcoso but is lacking detail on the diamond flower pattern on the cross guard, the shape of the arms looks a bit off and the nipples on the ends appear far too big, white buffer pads have also been seen on a lot of fakes. I would guess this one is a post war fake, surprised its numbered though so im not 100% sure.
Ive had a look in Tom Wittmanns navy book and found on page 398 this same raised and guilted blade inscription Huahoh alter schimmel Huahoh or Move along, old grey horse, move along on an unmarked peacock pattern artificial Damascus blade. On the next page is a picture of it with this same custom designed scabbard. What do you guys think of that, would there be two daggers with this same unusual blade inscription and custom scabbard (different hilts) or do you think this one has been copied from Wittmanns book, could both be fakes or could both be genuine.
The fact that Witmann has a dagger in his book doesn't mean anything, as he has many fakes published as being real. Do a search on his name and you will see for yourself.
I haven't seen the dagger you are reffering to however, maybe you could post some pics?
Look at the etch on this dagger, it's not crisp "when you look in the etch lines, not sure how to describe it. It looks rough.
Here is a picture from Jim Attwood's 1965 book, has Alcoso TM. Jim had these blades done in Solingen with various TMs'. The one I got caught with back in the day had a P D Luneschloss TM; I recall another with a Clemen u. Jung TM
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