Hi guys,

I am in the process of possibly acquiring my first SS dagger. It is coming from the Ruptured Duck and I have posted it up on the WAF and War Relics EU forums too for some opinions. There has been some speculation around the skulls and centre piece on the scabbard. I am very new to this area, and I have been looking at various sources to try and make a decision for myself, but I am not too sure on what to think myself. I would really appreciate some more opinions on whether this is a good piece or to let it pass

Thanks everyone

Some more pictures of the skulls, sig runes to the rear of the chain and the scabbard's centre piece

Some more of the skulls

Hello Kiwi,

Certainly 2 different types of skull chain links have been used on this piece: first time that I see that on a chain of an M36 SS-dagger.

About the scabbard's center piece: it does misses the detail we like to see on those pictures. See in attachment a picture of another 2 screws version center piece, for comparison purposes.

Best regards,

Herman

Well for the cost of these!

I would also check out JR and all his pics and examples!

You want to get it right and have no regrets!

You are the one paying for it! You must decide!


Best of Luck on your hunt!

PVON

Good advice. For what M36s sell for, you need to have no questions in your mind about originality.

Hi guys, thank you all for your opinions on this piece. I have asked the dealer for better pictures of the parts in question, so will post them up here on Monday when I receive them. I just want to be sure that over-exposure is not a factor at play here and that better quality photos may show the details a little more

One would hope that Bill Shea would disclose all problems in a dagger that costs what this one must cost.
I like Pauls advice, wait for JR's opinion on a SS, or Dave might give his.
Best of luck
Ed

I'm an M1933 collector so I'll wait for JR to advise.

Dave

Well, I just found out JR is in Germany now, so will have to wait a week for potential opinion.
Ed

Something not quite right with that scabbard IMO. The lower fitting looks too 'big' for the scabbard don't you think?

The dagger in my opinion looks fine, as an example of a later Type C. I think that the loss of plating on the darkened links can give a different appearance is my thinking. The exception condition of the scabbard matches that gorgeous blade.

JR

I have seen before, some complete chains with this strange skull type (middle and right in the picture) at fairs in Germany. These links were thinner and lighter compared to the usual C-type chain links.

Are these, as JR appears to state, a later C-type variation????

Personally, I do not like them: less detail, a too deeply stamped nose and blackening bleeding into the frame.

Maybe this chain has been repaired, explaining the mix of skull link types?

Best regards,

Herman

Here are a couple usual C-type skull links for comparison purposes.

Note the straight and clean edges of the frame around the skull!

Best regards,

Herman