I thought I would share these to display the transition that Alcoso deployed moving from one pattern to the next. The two daggers on the left are early type 2 crossguards, while the next three all have the more common type 3 crossguard.

The 2nd pattern (# 1&2) was in production for only a very short time ( probably less than a year ) in 1936 and are marked with the earliest ACS trademark, tapered tang blades and fittings carried over from their earliest slant gripped daggers.

The dagger in the middle (#3) has the later type 3 crossguard but retains the earlier type 2 fittings and scabbard and tapered tang blade. It also was marked with the earliest ACS trademark. Note the slimmer scabbard bands, wider non-tapered grip and 14 leaf pommel.

The last two daggers (# 4&5) are by far the most prolific, in production from late 1936 until 1941 this pattern can be found marked four out the five of the companies trademark to the blades. Note the flared 12 leaf pommel's and grips, larger pebble pattern to the scabbard shell and wider scabbard bands. As far as I am aware these will always have the later shouldered tang blades.

A few more observations seeing as though I am in full rant mode.......

The quality of some of the later production army daggers by ACS seems to deteriorate hugely, the wide use of plaster, wood filled white celluloid covered grips and Galalith and in many cases the inferior use of base metals ( alu, pot metal ) on the third pattern daggers would suggest ACS struggled to secure materials. The firm was Jewish owned and this could be a reason although pure speculation on my part.
There are of course exceptions and I must thank Bob bgrelics for #4 who supplied this dagger at a great price.

Sorry for stating what is probably obvious to many, I just wanted an excuse to show them off .

Jon,

These are some choice daggers you show here, all of them in remarkable condition. Your threads are both interesting and educational. You point out things I feel the average dagger collector would overlook. Great job, great daggers, and great picture.

Rich

It's allways nice to see beautiful daggers and yours certainly are! Thanks for showing them and also for this very educational thread.

Danny

Very nice... I learned something today.

John

the second crossguard is extreme rare, i look a cople of years and fonud nothing..... Fine daqggers thanks for showing. I have all five marker mark from Alcoso
but my daggers have only crossguards one and three....two is missing.......
Thank you
best regards oliver

Oliver,
Yes, you are right. The 2nd ACS is very scarce and tough to find. The eagle itself is probably the largest out of all the crossguard designs from all makers.
Thank you all for the kind comments !.

Love a good show and tell,especially when they're such nice examples!

Jon vey nice group and informative thread. The type 3 certainly is tuff to find with crisp detail. I also love the later flared pommel (#4 & #5) quite unique. I think the type two is certainly one of the better looking guards - notice how close the bottom of the crossguard is relative to the upper scabbard band - very close - my type 2 example is the same way.

Tom,
Good observation on the upper scabbard band and relative position of the swas when sheathed. That really does illustrate the difference in size of the 2nd and 3rd pattern crossguards.
Lovely thick patina on your 2nd, great detailing as well !. I love the ribbing to the eagles legs/feet, it is the same on every example I have seen to date.

Great pic and info! Must say #2 is my favorite here, love to get a type 2 in my collection! I have owned a example like your #3 here. The give away on these is the thicker grip top that does not fit the early type pommel well, along with a tapered tang blade. Most of these are the "Eisenkopf" fitted Alcoso's with the exclusive magnetic, heavy ferrous hilt fittings. Kevin.