I have recently seen a fake blade (SS 1054-39 SS) with a 100% correct CAH (Carl August Hartkopf) mark on the tang and the tang was correct in all respects and the blade did not seem reground. I was a bad etch and a bad trademark without doubt.

I probably saw others in the past but was no doubt swayed by the correct tang and mark mark. I now think that a supply of CAH blank blades has been reworked. No proof yet, but given what was found in the factories well after the war, a bunch of loose blades not yet etched is quite possible. This blade would seem to confirm that suspicion.

From now on, be careful of RZM and transitional SS/SA with CAH marked tangs. Most are probably good, but check.

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This dagger ? First look in the SA Forum at the recent thread about the anatomy of a fake NSKK dagger. It is pinned to the top.

Here is what I do not like about the SS dagger here:

- The grip. The wood looks too good and the eagle looks like a buzzard

- The blade has crossgrain or scratches running up and down, besides the other stuff mentioned

- Fittings are aged but very shiny. Look at the insides of the crossguards.

Dave