I discovered and introduced this new WKC 1.5 crossguard variation to the Heer collectors on a thread back in August. I was fortunate to find another example while surfing the internet sometimes those many hours gazing result in an acquisition for the collection. I am not sure how rare this crossguard is but have only seen a handful of examples. They are a quality early brass base and manufactured between the type 1 and type 2 I would surmise early 1936 the examples I have and have seen are mated with early pommels-double screw scabbards and tapered tangs with non slant grips. They exhibit beautiful detail and hand work with an eye reminiscent of the Paul Weyersberg guards I love the Cyclops eye as I call it. Really a great looking detailed guard surprising WKC only used this for a very short time frame and in my opinion the WKC guards that followed the 1.5 are not as appealing but I suspect they felt the type 3 commonly called the hatchet beak was a trendy artistic design. Fortunately this dagger has survived the test of time in near mint condition with a grip going the way of a deep red color. The quality of materials and craftsmanship of this dagger are some of the finest you see this level of quality would soon diminish not only from WKC but the majority of producers sometime between 1936-1937 as they transitioned to designs that required little to no hand enhancing and cheaper less desirable materials.

Tom,
Check your e-mail. What an absolutely stunning dagger and to find a pair.........just wow. Certainly a WKC produced cross-guard in my opinion, the WKC 1st and 2nd ( transitional ) also show the same five sections of segments on either wing, nearly all other makers only show four distinct sections with the exception of Klass and some early Paul Weyersburgs.
Including this one and your other, I have now seen five in total. That should answer your question on the rarity .

Jon thanks – Great point about the 5 segments! It seems the last segment of feathers share a similar design as well compare the 1.5 & 2. As a side note regarding the 5 segments you mentioned Klaas that’s one way to easily tell the Klaas type-1 from the type-2 the type-1 has 5 segments the type-2 has 4

For comparison purposes my other 1.5 it’s the only distributor marked WKC heer I recall ever seeing.

Talk about nice crisp casting! Very beautiful guard for sure. I agree Jon that that is very interesting about the five segments to the wing tips..haven't noticed that! You will have me looking through my Heeres now. The question now is, did WKC use the same molds to make the WKC 2nd in light metal, and just not hand enhance the head like this guard? I do notice the pommels look the same between the 1.5 and the 2...Real beauties Tom! Congrats on these babies!! Kevin

Kevin that’s a good question and a plausible theory. I have been comparing these guards and really the only notable difference I see at this point is the head. Perhaps WKC redesigned the mold (head) as they transitioned to the lighter base metal. The head design on the type-2 being less detailed may have been more suited to the lighter base metal. I believe Jon told me he has seen they type-2 in a brass base as well so?

Beautiful daggers here guys, I learn something new everyday on this forum.Something new to look out for now.

Gary

Tom,
thank you very much my friend for this topic.
What a GREAT information!
There's always something new to learn.

Congratulation!!!

Janos

Thanks guys it’s allot of fun researching these daggers and especially rewarding when new discoveries are made. Wondering what new variations and types lay undiscovered keeps the hunt interesting.

OK,here is a piece that just came out of New York State to my collection. This type 2 WKC is the first I have seen that has ALL brass based fittings and scabbard. Another interesting point is that the pommel is the initial type that is generally seen only with the type 1 WKC fittings, I have to place this daggers era between the 1.5's shown in this post and the typical light metal based type 2 but both the 1.5's shown here have the 2nd type pommel seen on all the type 2's I have seen? Guess it goes to show that these makers had boxes of fittings sitting around and if they came across them they were used! I have seen a 1.5 WKC once before that had this initial pommel too so the variations are out there! This brass based scabbard is also the first appearance of WKC's typical single side screw! Hoped to add to this post by showing the NEXT STEP WKC took after the 1.5..the question is, is this just a 1.5 guard without the hand work, or another mold all together?? Well, enjoy the pics and comment with opinions! Kevin.

more..

Kevin beautiful dagger. In my experience a brass based WKC Type-2 is one rare bird and to get it with a brass scabbard and pommel is just gravy. Like you said seems WKC transitioned allot of parts while not as extreme as Eickhorn they certainly have some interesting transitional pieces. The head on the 1.5 is all the way to the top of the guard and goes all the way across so for me it’s a different mold although very similar as you pointed out the other day they both have the 5 feather segments.