I think to clean them it is not necessary....

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At some point in time we have to decide an article is past the point of toning or nice patina and we're looking at crud which might also be causing damage. Personally I'd clean these two.
Jim

Looks like you have some rare ones there my friend!!

If you leave that verdigres on the nickel fittings, it will etch the finish and scar the surface.

Moscow....hmmmm - my guess is nicotine patina.

There were two versions of the Carl Tillmanns maker mark. The smiling fox version like this one...

And the mouse-in-mouth version like yours...

I have some daggers also by some rare makers that were in the possession of heavy smokers also and I just put a little oil on the blade let is soak in then whipped off all the dirt with a soft cloth.

Bill Rannow
Minneapolis Minnesota
Fine Japanese Swords & Antiques
www.artswords.com
AND
Quality WWII German Militaria
www.collectorsmilitaria.com

are you kidding how many bright shiny daggers we need.every one is like oh look lets clean this and look brand new.I would buy these over a shiny one any day of the week.Why because they have history and style.They speak there story yeah it will hurt the metal but not in our life time.So thats my take on it.

its not patina and the only history is one of neglect clean the gunk off before any more damage is done
look at it this way would the original owners have walked around with such dirty daggers?

I,m with nick.They look awfull.Clean them
now and save them some.
Seiler (yank in uk)

JMO ... don�t clean them. There�s 75 years history on these items and to remove it, would be a shame

If they were mine I would clean the blades in a solution of hot water and ammonia and leave the rest as-is. If you shine up the fittings it will never look right because of the wear and corrosion on the scabbards.

Just oil the blades.If you clean them you cut down the sales prospect.You can always sell it to someone who likes too clean them .You won't be able to sell to someone who only buys uncleaned.It's been OK for 75 years it will be OK for 75 more.They are yours so you can drive nails with them.IMO

it would be a crime to clean off all that history, dont do it.

In another 75 years there will be nothing much left of these daggers if that grime is not removed. We are supposed to be caretakers of these pieces of history for future generations to enjoy owning just like we are at the moment. There is so much in the militaria World that is being lost forever because of this dont clean never clean attitude. If you dont harm the piece by cleaning then clean it and preserve it, so it lasts longer!!

This is difficult. You have some nice makers there but the condition may worsen without some care and attention. There are degrees of cleaning and I would not apply any polish at all to the fittings. I would simply wash the blade and fittings in hot water with some low alkaline soap. Then dry and ren wax the blades.

The wood could do with a little bee wax as could the scabbards. Do not take off any scabbard fittings but use a small toothbrush with soaped water, make sure all areas are dry.

Ren wax them and keep them safe.

Your choice.

oil the blades dont clean the patination off. store them in a nice dry place. i love dulled out fittings,

Hello
This is a nice dagger .