Antique store find

[LeveractionMax]

Hi all, first post on here. Hope the pictures show. I need some expert advice. Store is shutting down. Items are on consignment. Store owner says they are all authentic. Makers are Eickhorn squirrel and sword and SMK. Tempting. Expensive. Advice please. White handle dagger's maker's mark is almost brushed off from lots of polishing perhaps. Unreadable. That's the cheapest at $400 asking price.

[bsiwula1]

Hello Max. Welcome to the forum. You have two second model luftwaffe daggers one first model luftwaffe and the white handled one is a Heer/Army dagger. Pictures of the blades would help greatly. It's nice they all seem to have their hanger assemblies intact. The second model luftwaffe pictured left has the army and or navy dagger portapee on it. And the other maker is SMF. The bladesmen will be along shortly I'm certain, with more comments for you. Enjoy your stay. Best regards.

Brian

[warbuff]

The daggers look like they could all be ok, however more pictures are required. Maybe some pics of the blades, makers marks, and up close shots of the fittings.

[LeveractionMax]

I should have taken better pictures I know. The prices are $700 for the yellow handle, $800 for the largest one but it's the most beat up, blade had been sharpened and leather is rough in some areas, orange handle one is in the best condition $800 and the white army dagger is kinda rough asking $400 I have no clue as to value. According to the store they have been authenticated. I would like to purchase something for my son who is obsessed with WWII historical items. I have a very limited amount of time to make a decision. Thank you (I added pics)

[LeveractionMax]

I have added some pics. Not the best I know. Blades are all in good condition. But the largest one is the roughest with corrosion on aluminum handle and leather coming apart, also blade had been sharpened.

[real steel]

I have added some pics. Not the best I know. Blades are all in good condition. But the largest one is the roughest with corrosion on aluminum handle and leather coming apart, also blade had been sharpened.

For that high price...actually about going rate. But if blades are sharpened, they are not worth that. Nice unmessed with army & Luft daggers can be found in that price range.

[MAP]

I know it is tempting to rush but when spending this much money it is best to proceed with caution. Condition is key when determining price.

Since you have seen them in hand, I suggest comparing to examples on these dealer websites (price is a factor of maker, condition, rarity). These are dealers and have the higher prices to reflect that fact. But they are highly respected.

https://www.lakesidetrader.com/Germa...Edged-Weapons/

Wittmann Antique Militaria - Inventory Listing

[LeveractionMax]

Thanks!

[Watchdog]

Welcome to the forum indeed,

It sounds like you have limited knowledge but are taking a sensible approach here by asking advice from where you think it can best be found so well done for that. It also sounds like you are preparing to spend a bob or two so be bloody careful!

Some good advice above which is as stated limited by the images available. So, given that you have to be fairly quick in your decision making I would suggest that you get yourself across these points;

1. Mean market value - will be for a decent collectible piece and is affected by;
a. Condition, especially the blade in the case of daggers etc value is massively impacted by sharpening (goes to originality) and pitting or staining both of which equate to damage.

b. Rarity - In conjunction with condition the value is affected by the desirability due to rarity of one maker over another. If this will be a first for your son I suggest this will not be the prime mover. In any case it really is only a worry to the collector of makers or the investor (we don't much like them here!).

c. General condition - Regardless of the other factors it is always wise to buy the best you can afford because everything is likely to be sold on eventually whether you are an investor or a genuine collector so like it or not re-sale value has to be a consideration.

2. Pricing - a militaria dealer will always be seeking a higher price than a private individual and if this is not a dealer specialising in militaria you may be able to use this to your advantage in conjunction with the above points especially if he is closing down. Unless he is a friend don't go out of your way to do him a favour, he will still look to get as much as he can from you.

3. Recipient appreciation of a gift - This is a significant one, I have been a collector for 40+ years and the best gift a loved one could ever get me is something I would like for my collection. The trouble is and this is the crucial bit, whenever they have tried without my knowledge they have ended up procurring the most awful crap because they lack the knowledge. I then demonstrate my delight at their thoughtfulness and never ever let on! They would be gutted. You could always try lo assist him to get what he wants at a fair perhaps. I am sure that, like me, many collectors would be delighted with such a show of intrest from a parent etc. It isn't so much the gift as the effort that goes into it and something like this he will remember his dad doing it with him.

Anyway, I wrote this in a hurry so I hope it makes sense and be sure to let us know how it goes. Better still get the lad on here himself, we could do with some young blood!

Regards

Mark

[MAP]

Ok...a bit more from me...and only my opinion as I am not a dagger geek. (btw..great tutorial from Mark)

First! Toss out the Heer (army - white grip) and the blue Luftwaffe dagger from your consideration. As you note. They both have "issues".

That leaves you with the two "2nd pattern" Luftwaffe daggers. Both still appear to have nice gold wash to the Swastika on the pommel. Nice to see. Neither are rare makers so you don't need to worry about that, and both have the hangers which is a bonus.

1) The "yellow" handle is made by SMF. It has a beautifully tied Portepee knot (don't take it off unless you know how to do it correctly). Grip and scabbard look to be in good condition.

2) The "Orange" handle dagger is made by Eickhorn. The Portepee has been removed but still there. Grip and scabbard look to be in good condition but much more tarnished than the SMF (check to see if the SMF has been cleaned). This type of tarnish is very common and acceptable.

So to me it comes down to the blade condition, the look/condition of the eagle which is hard to see from the photos, your personal preference of these two and the price.

Do compare with examples from those websites I gave you. Read the descriptions. You will learn a fair bit quickly just reading them.

Regards,

M

Note: The big assumption we are making here is that there is nothing else wrong (They could be high quality fakes...impossible to know for sure based on the photos). If you do buy them, I would ask for an inspection period with right to return but understand that might be difficult given the store is closing. But even if it is one day...you could bring it home. take good photos, post here and have an answer asap.