UBB.threads

Hi,
This forum has been great for information, but as I'm not a dagger collector and have limited knowledge, I hope one of the experts here can help me out. From what I've gathered so far this is an early pre-RZM (mid 1930s?) Thomas Wielputz SA dagger.
Blade is marked “Thomas Wielputz, Solingen Höhscheid.” Tang marked “T.W. 1.” “P.”district marking on handguard (Pommerania)? Handguard and eagle look to be made of nickel silver and the scabbard appears to be painted? Any additional information is welcome!

Thanks, Greg

The dagger itself looks pretty good-there may be some shrinkage of the handle lessening a perfect fit with the crossguards, but within acceptable levels. The scabbard is another story. Painteds, while rarely valid, are a no-no for most Early collectors. This one seems awfully shiny for nickel silver fittings. Is the scabbard magnetic at the tip of the scabbard and on the suspension ring? It should not be. There is a very good chance of a switched RZM scabbard here, or at least an inappropriately painted one. Mike

The scabbard is definitely of the later RZM era.

As Dr. Mike pointed out, the painted surface and extra-shiny fittings are clues. The dome-head steel screws are conclusive: switched scabbards.

Still, that dagger maker is not easy to find and it is in great shape. Dave

Thanks for your reply Mike. The tip and the suspension ring are both magnetic. Does that mean a later RZM scabbard? When you say "early" what date range are we talking? Thanks, Greg

Thanks Dave. Worth trying to locate the proper scabbard?

When we say "Early" we refer to the SA daggers from 1934-1936, maker marked, nickel silver fittings and eagle and anodized scabbard body. You have the later RZM scabbard. Chances of finding a high quality and conditioned Early scabbard are equivalent to winning the Powerball lottery, which is what you would need to purchase one. Sorry. Mike

Thanks Mike. I read that 1936/37 was a transitional period where both painted and anodized scabbards were produced. Possible there was mixing and matching at the factory or is it certain it's a later replacement as you suspect?

Anything is possible, but this is quite a mismatch where you have a quality dagger and a junky scabbard. Imagine you ordered a new Thunderbird in 1958 and it arrived with an Edsel front grille. Mike

Our standards, not theirs..;) they were far more concerned with over all quality and obviously did not view RZM pieces the way the current "collecting community" has over the past 30 years....only now are they getting any semblance of respect...LOL I agree for the most part but if the scabbard throat matches the lower fitting for a near perfect fit and there is little or no gap then this configuration is more than possible, especially if they were utilizing existing stock into 1941 production. We will never know,, just surmise and speculate cheers, Ryan