Restoration: Is this a dirty word ?? In the Luger hobby in which I'm envolved, restoration s a DIRTY word, does his hold true with Dagger collectors. Does a restored dagger hold a much lower value that an original one.

Thanks,
Harry

Harry:

Yes... especially if the restoration work is not declared up front.

Some things you have to do... like removing that deadly green gunk on fittings. If you don't, it will eat away at the metal until is is gone.

But, replacing parts or repainting or whatever is a no-no to most collectors.

Sorta like the gun collectors?

John

The dividing lines between maintenance, conservation, preservation, and restoration are very thin. So are the definitions .

Every dagger worth owning is at least 66 years old and probably more like 70-75 years old. Without some form of past help, almost every one would be in poor shape today. I agree with john about the green gunk that forms under leather. I keep my leather hangers separate and use wax or shoe polish on them from time to time since leather deteriorates. I also use wax on wooden grips to clean them.

Tell us which type of dagger you have in mind and we can probably tell you more.

Dave

Much is in the eye of the beholder when it comes to restoration. Generally. most collectors don't care for restored items, but some do not mind, if the restoration was done properly and is undetectable or nearly so. There are only so many top quality pieces out there and they are in high demand, but short supply. An otherwise "minty" army dagger may have a cracked grip, which the new owner may replace. A political dagger may have a dagger with a large chunk of wood missing from the grip and he may opt to have it repaired. A nice dagger may have a badly dented scabbard that is swapped out for a nicer one. This kind of thing happens all the time, including by some "purists." Don't kid yourself, it goes on in the hobby more than some would like to admit. Replacing parts with like parts is usually undetectable. A properly restored SS dagger grip adds beauty to the dagger and likely increases its value. Repainted scabbards bother some, others are more accepting. When you get into refinishing a blade, things get a bit stickier. To most, the blade is the "heart" of a dagger and the most important component. So, a nicely restored or partially restored dagger may be attractive to some and to others a complete "turn off." There are also collectors who insist on leaving edged weapons exactly as they are found, "warts and all." No repairs, no replacements, no cleaning, except perhaps a mild cleaning of the blade, followed by a protective coating. There are also extremely rare daggers that might need some work. Some would opt for what is needed to bring such a dagger up to a decent state, as opposed to leaving it damaged or with missing parts. The way collectors look at daggers vary almost as much as the collectors themselves. Usually, original and untouched are preferable to most. Light restoration is acceptable to some. Complete, or nearly so, restorations are generally undesirable to most, with the possible exception of very rare examples.