HJ Dagger

[DJT]

Hi Guys,

This is a dagger I have had since about 1990. My Dad bought it for me as a gift while we were in Jersey (Channel Islands) on holiday. I think he paid about £70 which was probably too much at that time. Well anyway, I do not collect German daggers (this is the only one I own) and I have never had a dagger guy check it out to make sure it was good etc... I assume its genuine although think maybe the scabbard was repainted? because its pretty glossy looking? Well anyway I just wanted to get some comments, thanks

[DJT]

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[DJT]

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[DJT]

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[DJT]

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[Larry Lipps]

This is really interesting and is going require our vast and unpaid research department. On first glance it liiked like a nice original piece with maybe a repainted scabbard. On second glance I noticed that the grip diamond follows the checkering which I thought was a bad sign. The last thing was that I've never seen a blade marked on both sides. Was this something particular to this maker or a bad sign?

[JasonS]

Mr. Wittmann had one on his site. It has sold and the photos removed, but the description says, "The obverse ricasso area is deeply stamped with the kissing cranes trademark. Below this is the name and location of the firm, "Robert Klaas Solingen". On the reverse ricasso, the area is stamped with a small open RZM circle. To the right of this is the code, "M7/37", and below this, the date of production, "1938".

I am curious to see another picture of one.

JasonS

[daggers]

On second glance I noticed that the grip diamond follows the checkering which I thought was a bad sign.

If you are looking carefully the grip diamond does NOT follow the checkering, which is a good sign.
IMO the knife looks period, the holding loop/strap is missed on the scabbard leather.

[Steve Co.]

Nice original piece.I don't think the diamond following the checkering is an issue,I have seen this on several makers i.e. Arthur Evertz M7/85 , Karl Robert Kaldenbach M7/72 and Rehwappen.

Regards Steve.

[Larry Lipps]

While I certainly agree that the diamond following the checkering may be perfectly normal on a Klass piece, but I thought it rated comment from the gallery. In compatison to most of my HJ grip diamond reference photos, this diamond follows the line of the checkering more than most. No matter how carefully I look, the checkering pattern appears to be slightly less coarse than average. If Wittmann had one of these for sale, that's good enough for me.

I've enclosed a comparison of a WKC grip diamond to the one Des posted to try and show the difference.

[Craig Gottlieb]

One very good (but not surefire way) of spotting bad HJ daggers is to tap the diamond with your fingernail. It should usually click, as a result of having worn loose over time. Again, some HJs are in such phenomenal condition that this observation does not hold true. However, for the well-worn example, it usually IS the case.

[RoyA]

I am curious to see another picture of one. JasonS

Here is another....
Roy

[RoyA]

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[DJT]

Thanks everyone so its original just with a repainted scabbard?

[JasonS]

Thanks Roy. I always like to look at daggers.

Was the markings on both sides of the ricasso usual for only certain makers?

JasonS