Hello everyone, I just purchased my very first SS dagger today. It is made by gottlieb and has some minor condition issues. Paint on scabbard chip, spots on blade and I think the tip may have been damaged. I was hoping to learn a little more about this dagger such as history and price that something like this should sell for. Thank you all in advance I look forward from hearing from you.




http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/gg516/Loubert150/Military/2ae5c81970986b64b396dab690c91424.jpg

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/gg516/Loubert150/Military/4f92a12c1906f788a79ac2053a645a54.jpg

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/gg516/Loubert150/Military/5720c71d3952c22992a290f967211b9f.jpg

Friend, not a great start, as it appears that someone possibly tossed a reproduction grip on the hilt of your dagger. :((

Are you sure? I purchased this from a very well known dealer in the military trader magazine? His stuff is guaranteed original and I've been purchasing from him for years.

I am sure. Exercise your guarantee on this purchase, as you do not want that grip matched to the dagger that we see here. Wait for a better example to come your way.

Don't tell me it was Paul Hogle or Witty, or I will be in more trouble than you can imagine. :)))))))

I took the dagger apart and inside the bottom cross guard is marked EW in addition the outside is marked III. The handle has the correct circle shape milled out to fit the post of the blade. What do you see wrong?

The fitment of the grip is something that I would be comfortable with, in regards to this particular dagger. Take a look at this example in comparison.

I see what you are saying. Could shrinking be a factor or could it be an original replacement grip? Is there a way to tell an original grip? The insignia seem to fit and the hole inside the grip that the blade post slides thru seems to be pretty straight and clean.

Please show the holes in the grip

Certainly, the way that the grips were most likely boiled initially to remove the natural wood color, and then later stained / dyed, could contribute to shrinkage associated with handles that we see with SS daggers.

Top---------

Bottom--------

http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/gg516/Loubert150/Military/ced5ecba54a117a62b6b0e019bf9d2fd.jpg
Inside hole with light at one end------------

Not what you want to see with a period grip.

Exercise your return privilege, and wait for a nice one.

I don't like it. The style is wrong for a period grip. The grip doesn't match the guards in any way. It is also too thick.Note the blue marked area.
That means,the contours of the grip doesn't match the edges of the crossguard.
Gerd

I agree that grip is not right, the tang holes are totally wrong

Te grip s a problem, most likely a reproduction, possibly an original that has been altered to fit a different dagger. Slight "gapping" between the grip and guards is usually not a problem. Personally, I would not buy the dagger, due to the grip. Do you have photos of the rest of the dagger?

Gentlemen, I want to say thank you to everyone who commented, especially JR. I took your advice and returned the dagger today, after taking all your advice into consideration I felt that spending such a large chunk of change on something that there should be no question of authenticity and this left doubt. This was a great learning experience and I now have a little more insight on what to look for. Thanks again, I look forward to speaking with you all in the future.

You did the right thing!
Hopefully you will find a nice ss soon..
They do show up from time to time..
Good luck on your search;)

Emil

Smart move . You dont want that POS . Theres plenty of legitimate examples to be had .