Hi guys thought i would ask this here just to see if anyone has seen anything similar on another dagger. I have an SA dagger with what looks an SS rune stamped into the back of the grip either that or it was used as a hammer like tool a long time agothere are quite a few marks on the x guard which would suggest it has been whacked numerous times but IMO these small marks dont look like the same kind of marks as what are on the rear of the grip. I will add a few pics so you can hopefully see what i am refering too.
There probably wont be a definate answer to this but all opinions are welcomed.

Regards Adam

That's a strange one. Never saw or heard of this alteration and can't imagine what purpose it could serve.

The result of being used as a hammer? FP

Thats what i thought Grumpy it certainly is a strange one, the other side of the grip isnt damaged all so it doesnt seem to have been squashed or hit from the rune side.

Hi FP i only noticed your post just after my last reply, thats a neat trick with the photo, you get to see a bit more than in the previous light, it definately looks like it has been used to whack something, still weird how the marks on the xguard look a lot different to the marks on the grip! I would have expected whatever caused the marks on the xguard to have at least pierced the skin of the wood on the grip.

Years ago, Tom Wittmann had an SS dagger with a bunch of somewhat similar marks. In his description of the piece in his catalog, he described the marks in his usual great detail. He concluded with something like this: "Great dagger used as a hammer. Can you just image the scene? Guy on a stepladder trying to hammer in a nail says "Martha hand me that SS dagger so I can hammer in this nail" whap, whap."

Dave

PS, I have seen an SS sword with white paint around the edges. Obviously it was hung on a wall and some guy did not want to take it down as he repaint. Go figure

Thanks for the info Dave, the only thing i can say is whoever did the hammering wasnt too clued up on daggers, if they were i would have thought they would have used a worse condition dagger or maybe an RZM or something, and not this one. The grip on this dagger would have been mint. I dont think it makes the dagger much less desirable IMO but thats just me. I think the rariety of the dagger in general makes up for it. Last thing its quite ironic how hammering with this dagger has caused what looks like an SS rune in an SA dagger i dont think the original owner would have been too happy about an SS rune looking mark on his prized SA dagger JMO.

Pure coincidence in my opinion, but indeed, the markings do look like SS runes.

looking at this again, I suspect that was stored for some time with a heavy object on top or squeeze in some way that left this imprint.

Note that although we collect these artifacts and deplore those who neglect them, some people have little respect for "Nazi junk". This way more true years ago.

In 1973-74 I lived in Indianapolis and my neighbor used an SA dagger as a yard knife. He ground off the ends of the upper crossguard to make it easy to use and when it got dull, he would sharpen it up on a grinding wheel.

Dave

I thought the same thing myself Dave maybe it had been wedged between something that caused the runes and a heavy object? its deffinately plausable IMO but i would have thought that it would have left a mark on the SA rune side? will post a pic of the front of the dagger, doesnt seem to be much damage though.

Thanks for the opinions
Adam

What's the maker BTW? Nice blond grip.

Hey 777 I like the blonde grip too The dagger is a Haco

Fruit woods are soft and it is easy to impress the wood if you are not careful.