Black handle--HELP please

[Chopperman]

Hi guys,
I am going to an auction Saturday morning and one of the items that caught my
eye is this black handle 2nd pattern. This is the only photo available. I know
it's not much to go on.

My concern is the black handle. Is this a total put together dagger or could it
be the real deal. I believe that the blade is marked "Tiger"

Is this thing worth bidding on?

Thanks for any and all help.
sincerely,
Greg

[RH1941]

I believe they call this a funeral dagger that's all I can say about this dagger .

[Chopperman]

I have heard of funeral daggers but there aways seems to be some debate about them.

[Walkwolf]

Could it be darkened from age/skin oil ? ( There is a blue
tinge to it - can't blow up the pic ) Have you seen it
in hand Greg ?

Scabbard is rather dark too. Lighting.........?

[RH1941]

Greg that's the same thing I've heard

[Wagriff]

"Is this thing worth bidding on?" I wouldn't. These black handled pieces are too controversial. Personally, I regard them all as post-war.

[Larry C]

Hi Greg
Deemed a funeral dagger which never existed during the Third Reich period. The idea was created by a few fellows in the hobby by creating fiction and trying to sell it as fact..jacking up the price 3 to 4 times that of a standard 2nd Luft price.
The original daggers had black trolon grips with a thick white coating applied. The original dagger types were standard 2nd model Luftwaffe white gripped daggers. Time made the coating brittle..which flaked and chipped off.

These daggers are desirable to the Luftwaffe dagger collector..being all original in fittings and blade..and as desirable next to the color toned grips so commonly seen with this dagger type.

The dagger above..in my opinion is not anything related to being a Black gripped Luftwaffe.
1. Dont bet your money on one single photo..you better off donating it to the forum
2. This dagger has varied fittings mostly appear to be repro except the scabbard

You would sleep at night if you acquired one from one of these guys.. and you may be spending the same amount..by guaranteed authentic below

Lakesidetrader | German WWII Daggers & Medals
Wittmann Antique Militaria

Regards Larry

[Chopperman]

I believe that this is the same dagger a old collector showed me
a few years ago. If it is, The handle did not appear to be celluloid.
The handle was not smooth like celluloid. When I first saw it in the glass case,
I amost thought it was leather wrapped but it is not and yes, it does almost have
a blue cast to it but it is so dark that I assumed it was supposed to be black.

[Chopperman]

Thank you for the replies.

Living in the middle of no where Wisconsin, I very seldom see
daggers at our local auctions so when I saw the add for this one,
I got pretty excited but thanks to you gentlemen, I have been
kept from making a painful mistake.

Thanks very much,
sincerely,
Greg

[Chopperman]

So I just got back from the auction.

The back handle Luft dagger sold for $250. I passed on it completely.
There was a m7/36 SA that went for $375 which was in poor condition
and a Paul Weyersberg Police sword that went for $600. which I thought
was a bargin as it was in great condition. I almost bid on the sword but
I had other treasures in my sights.

I did buy a junk box which had a vertical hanger for a SA type dagger in it
as well as a sword knot or Portepee (I don't know the difference) that I think
is for a police sword and one that I would guess is for a Luft dagger.

I have yet to take any pictures.