Can i identify the owner of a dagger?

**mjw** · 08-08-2019, 04:59 PM

A friend of mine has a German hunting dagger that was obtained by a British army captain at the end of WW2. It was sold to him by his son and is said to have been with the family since that time. The father found the original owner dead, having been hanged from the tree in his garden. He was thought to have been executed by local residents who despised him. He had been the local Burgemeister. The Captain cut him down with a bone handled knife he had found in the dead mans pocket. This has remained with the dagger, which was removed from the officials house as a trophy of war.

I would like to ask if it would be possible to identify the original owner of the dagger or to locate a photograph? His name is engraved on the scabbard and reads:

HANS ZSCHINSCHKY

Any help or advice greatly appreciated.

Kind regards, Malcolm.

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 08-08-2019 04:59 PM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**RH1941** · 08-08-2019, 06:47 PM

Any chance we could see the whole dagger and the other knife . Gary

**mjw** · 08-08-2019, 10:58 PM

Hello Gary.

If I get a chance tomorrow I will ask. The pocket knife looks unremarkable.

Kind regards, Malcolm.

**Anderson** · 08-09-2019, 09:11 AM

I suggest you ask the moderator to shift the thread to the Daggers of the Third Reich forum, it will get more attention there, and several regulars are Hunting and Forestry specialists.

**mjw** · 08-09-2019, 04:03 PM

As suggested I have sent a message to the Web Master asking if moving this thread is possible. I have included a picture taken on my phone this morning of the dagger. Unfortunately he did not bring the knife with him. All I can say is that it has antler type grips. Nothing special I would think.

Kind regards, Malcolm.

**saufaengerkid** · 08-17-2019, 11:36 AM

This pattern forestry hirschfänger is very rare, these were only given for outstanding bravery against poachers or outstanding work in the forests and fields of Germany, this is only the 4th I have seen. The reverse blade should have a dedication panel which on all the others is blank having the dedication on the revserse scabbard mount. They are all made by Eickhorn, this one is pattern 1249. Here's my one.

Gary

**saufaengerkid** · 08-17-2019, 11:41 AM

As far as research potential goes, it would be extremely difficult unless he was some kind of notable person, if he was the local Burgemeister you might have a chance, do a quick google search and see what you can find, other than that possibly write to the local authorities of the town.

Gary

**saufaengerkid** · 08-17-2019, 11:56 AM

A quick google search does find one guy from that period,
Hans Hermann Zschinschky who was a Hilfsförster which in my opinion would be your guy, as I said in my initial post these were given out to the forestry personel for acts of bravery, a Hilfsförster is just such a man and would have worked in the forests.
no picture I'm afraid.

Gary

**Anderson** · 08-17-2019, 11:57 AM

Great bit of information Gary. And Malcolm has the hanger too.

**saufaengerkid** · 08-17-2019, 12:14 PM

Looking again at the dedication he is described as a Revierförster so one grade above so almost certainly the same person, whether he would have been the burgemeister as well is open to debate.

Gary