Hello, I'm new to this board so if this is the wrong place for this post just let me know and I'll change it up.

My friends grandfather was in WWII and passed away recently, leaving behind a dagger that my friend claims is real. I know his grandfather was in the war, but I can't be certain that this is real so I thought I'd leave that to the experts.

Here are some pictures. Looks like I have to add another post for the others. I tried to do some research on the markings MWL and 15 on the left and right part of the crossguard, but I couldn't find any corresponding schools associated with MWL. So I'm thinking this might have been a mix and match dagger. Apart from the pictures, I did take it apart and can say that inside the Crossgaurd or Pommel it had a marking E and W on it.

Any help would be great, as I think he will be looking to sell it.

More pictures..

More...

MWL stands for the NPEA school "Militär-Waisenhaus Liebenau". Looks OK but larger pictures are needed for evaluation.

Ah interesting. I tried uploading higher res photos but I exceeded the limit. I'll try with these. Also, can I clean it up with polisher or will that ruin the historical value?

Not much is known about this school except that it was an orphanage located in Graz, Austria and issued daggers to the NPEA students there. It may have received students from Austria and other schools in harms way in Germany. You need to get Ron Weinand's NPEA book. I would not recommend that you restore this piece. It is a rare dagger and should be kept in as-found condition.

Thanks Dons, any help on which book would be ideal for a valuation?

"NPEA DAGGERS AND ASSOCIATED KNIVES - A COLLECTOR'S GUIDE" By Ron Weinand

OR

"Waffenleite - Presenting NPEA Daggers of the Third Reich" same author

Waffenleite-presenting NPEA daggers of the Third Reich is the book you want. It is the only reference on these daggers. You can reach Ron through this forum

My book Waffenleite is available to members at $49.95 Plus $5.00 S & H