RAD dagger / never seen

[Br. James]

"A picture of a similar dagger can be seen in Johnsons book GERMAN WAR BOOTY."

Thanks for this, Herr Doktor! Unfortunately for me, I don't have that book in my library so I can't check that reference -- does Tom Johnson make any comment about this piece?

Br. James

[DR DOLCH]

"A picture of a similar dagger can be seen in Johnsons book GERMAN WAR BOOTY."

Thanks for this, Herr Doktor! Unfortunately for me, I don't have that book in my library so I can't check that reference -- does Tom Johnson make any comment about this piece?

Br. James

I think he says its a prototype officers dagger.

[Br. James]

Many thanks, Herr Doktor! The phrase "prototype dagger" comes with many red flags in my experience, having been around this hobby for over 55 years and having seen that phrase used in early books from the 1960s and '70s. Back in the day, when a collector or dealer couldn't find any concrete reference to a particular dagger, he would assume that it was a prototype of a new or a reworked design that never came to issuance. This often did not pan out in reality, over time, and I think a number of such pieces are now styled "fakes."

The RAD Hewer in question does seem to have some compelling attributes to it, especially the presence of what appears to be honest wear and age. So perhaps this piece is one of those very rare items known as a prototype, but if so, would it have been sold and used in the field like any standard RAD Hewer, or would it have been kept intact in the offices of Carl Eickhorn? After all, the presence of the RLAD triangle indicates that this piece was inspected and accepted for use by the RAD, and the "Ges. Gesch." mark presumes that this design was registered and protected.

As Arte Johnson would have put it: "Veerrrry Interesting!!"

Br. James

[Lampwick]

What date does the Eickhorn squirrel indicate? Whatever the dagger is I'd be happy to have it in my collection.

[Billy G]

Double oval squirrel by Eickhorn generally indicates production in '33-'34. This might also factor in with the theory that this might have been an early prototype for an officer, prior to the introduction of the RAD Leader's dagger.

One thing though, these dates are only guidelines for typical production times & not hard/fast rules. I believe Eickhorn, like all makers, would use up existing stock before moving on to new production.

[Saufaenger kid]

I like it whatever it is and would have bought it. It shows the right amount of age, I especially like the scabbard paint and the patina on the silver fittings, very hard to reproduce in my opinion.
I'm not sure about prototype,no way of knowing really, perhaps a very early Eickhorn example produced prior to the standardisation of the leaders dagger.

Gary

[Francisque]

Thanks for all comment.
Here are the photos pictured in Johnson book.



JC

[Bob Hritz]

This is a gorgeous dagger and I would love to find one for my collection.

Bob Hritz

[Mac 66]

Cool variant RAD hewer


must be a rarity imo.



Mac 66.

[Serge M.]

The RAD Hewer in question does seem to have some compelling attributes to it, especially the presence of what appears to be honest wear and age. So perhaps this piece is one of those very rare items known as a prototype, but if so, would it have been sold and used in the field like any standard RAD Hewer, or would it have been kept intact in the offices of Carl Eickhorn? After all, the presence of the RLAD triangle indicates that this piece was inspected and accepted for use by the RAD, and the "Ges. Gesch." mark presumes that this design was registered and protected.


Br. James

It looks like a good period RAD hewer to me. However, calling it a 'prototype' is a only a guess, and a loosely used word, instead of 'unknown'.
Br. James brings out a good point here.

It's clear that this hewer was issued and worn. It seems that the hanger that looks original to the hewer is not of the earliest configuration. However, the hewer itself shows early nickel silver components and Eickhorn Co. logo.
Somewhere in Eickhorn's massive collection of company documents, there has to be something stated about this thinner version.

The fun thing about this hobby for me is; no matter how long your in it, or how much you seen, there will be something that comes along that you know is 'right' but you can't find anything more on it.
Only thing left is to back-tract, hopefully to where it was found, perhaps get a clue there.

I think it would look great in a Rad hewer collection with a standard hewer, then a full stag and finally a 'Fat man'.

-wagner-

[Francisque]

The fat man is controversial. Isn't it?

Is it a period variation?

I've read many times that it was an after war fabrication.

[Serge M.]

I believe that the RAD 'Fat man' hewer with the notched blade is a period piece.
Others may think different. Depends on whom you ask.

[Francisque]

What do you think about this one?

[Francisque]

2

[Billy G]

Nice looking Fat Man, JC!

The notched Fat Man is quite a controversial piece, I think some collectors attribute them with Jim Atwood which is never a good association. I'm with Wags in thinking it's pre-1945 but it asolutely depends on whom you ask as to whether the model is period or not.