This is my first purchase of a dagger. I believe it is real and the damage is not recent. Opinions please.

These Helbigs are quite distinctive with the light etching, thick aluminum guards (extra tall measured from bottom edge of the cross guard to the top where it meet the grip). Tom Wittmann says they are real, they are in his SS book, and has sold them on his site. I ended up selling mine thru Tom just because there are many opinions that these are post war put together/made, perhaps by Atwood in the 1960's. I'm actually not sure, the age on your example certainly looks real. Hopefully others will give their opinion.

Thanks John. Yes please I'd like more opinions and I can post better photos if needed. If this is from the 1960s I'll be returning it for a refund.

I found an interesting read on Atwood daggers. How can I confirm it is an Atwood dagger? Has anyone seen an Atwood with vintage damage?

"I found an interesting read on Atwood daggers"

Just wondering is there a website ? Can you please include a link ?

Thanks

http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/ss-dienstd...fakes-440749-2/

http://www.ww2f.com/topic/10134-what-is-an-atwood-fake/

Thank you - interesting site and info
Many "parts" daggers are given away by poor fit,shoddy assembly or parts etc. IMHO - still some are very good and pass as original.

Thank you all for viewing. I have ordered Atwood's book used on Amazon and will continue my research,
If anyone else has an opinion to offer, please post or email. I will soon need to make a decision to keep or return the dagger.
Dennis

Return the dagger as fast as you can and cash the check quickly.

First spend your $ on books. You will save yourself mucho $$.

Can you please post why I should return the dagger? The seller will want a reason.

Because

1. I personally don't think it's genuine

2. If genuine, it's way too doggy to collect or resell

Impressive collection! Unfortunately this was the best SS dagger I could afford. I'll save my money and buy another from a reputable dealer.

Tex I started out Probably like you. I just had to have a real SS Dagger, Wanted one bad . So I was going to get one that wasn't too awful costly. I bought a couple of phony's to start out with. Lucky the guys I bought them from was honest and returned my money back. Kris and Larry Ivan and a couple more guys on here told me to save my money and buy a nice one. Well I had n;t saved much money but They was a nice one came up on Gun Broker and I hit the buy now button for 3250 and then figured out how I would pay for it LOL. I had to juggle a lot of things around like eating LOL. I am an old Okie , Moved to Idaho when I was 15 Years old I guess what I am trying to say is before you buy another Dagger run it by the forum first. They are a lot of nice guys on here that will help you out.

Nice Collection Tex:)

Thanks Bob and Tex. Had this dagger been in mint condition at this price, I'd have suspected something was wrong. I believed the dagger had a low price because of the wear and damage. I'll watch the for sale forum posts for a better dagger and ask for opinions before buying,
Thanks again
Dennis

Dennis I am sure you want one as bad as I did, But the right one will come to you:) They were chewing my azz Lol and tellng me buy some books and study and run it by them on the forum before you buy. That was great advise

Texas Vet,

Send it back. To use a technical term, I am sorry to say it is "crap".

- Blade rusted, heavily sharpened and has a chunk out of the edge. Looks like it was used as a yard knife.

- Scabbard is of an earlier vintage

- The grip eagle looks like one of the newer pewter fakes.

I have owned a Helbig and seen several others, and, as noted above they are of very poor quality for an SS dagger. Yours is a mix of abused parts worth maybe (to me anyway) about $1000 and that in the scabbard.

Dave

Lol. Thank you Dave! Luckily I only paid $800 for it. I bought it in person from a dealer at a military show in Milwaukee so I was fully aware of the condition before purchase. Though your comment about the eagle possibly being fake is a concern.

I doubt the dealer will take it back based on buyers remorse alone.

Thank you everyone for the education. I'll save up for a better one.

Dennis

Just print out this whole thread, the comments should back you up in wanting a refund.

I agree with the above....This is a crappy dagger to say the least! Return it asap and spend a bit more $$ for a more decent piece.

Cheers,

G

I showed this dagger to the dealer that I bought my German Navy dagger from. He said it is authentic but in terrible condition. I'm saving up for a better SS dagger.

Thanks everyone!

list on Ebay or Kijiji you will get more than $800 for it and I agree that it is period, but in terrible condition adler appears period cheers, Ryan