Hi. I'm somewhat new to the forum, although I've been watching for some time. As a result of my first purchase, and after some thought, I have started my collection of dress daggers by focusing on WKC. I have a 2nd Luftwaffe, a 2nd Kriegsmarine, and a Heeres dagger. One thing I have been struggling with however is which variant of crossguard I have for the Heeres dagger. I'm pretty sure it is not the 3rd and final variant (are there only 3?) as it is clearly not a tomahawk beak. But what variant do I have? Is there somewhere that I can see some examples of each type for comparison?

Dave welcome looks like you may have an Eickhorn Type-2 crossguard on your dagger. The grip ferrule is an Eickhorn as well. Here is a link to Jon’s excellent reference
Jons crossguard reference
And here’s one I am working on featuring daggers from my collection
Toms crossguard reference

As a side note concerning the WKC variations until very recently it was thought WKC only had 3 variations but a new guard was recently discovered (I call it the WKC 1.5) so they have four variations. The 1.5 is going to prove to be very difficult to find.

Tom,
Thanks for the clarification. It looks like I have a parts dagger, or possibly one where the workman ran out of parts for the crossguard and ferrule and borrowed from Eickhorn. Probably the former. I did recognize the ferrule as Eickhorn from Wittman's book but the nuances of the crossguards left me stumbling in confusion. The blade is great, and the handle is beautiful. I do have some question about the pommel as well, with 14 leaves, but looking more like a Type F from Wittman's book. Maybe I can find a WKC crossguard and ferrule (and maybe pommel) that are more representative, or perhaps I'll just leave it as is. Well, I have another WKC Heeres dagger coming that looks more promising, with the addition of a nice unit inscription. Live and learn. Thanks for your help.
Dave

Hi Dave
I agree with Tom that it looks like you have an Eickhorn crossguard on your dagger but not a Type-2 but a Type-3 .
If you use the link to Jon's excellent reference it should be a Type-2, but if you take a look at this link http://www.heeresdolch.de/html/parierstangen.html
you will notice that it is a Type-3 crossguard.

Regards,
Jori

Jori I have to disagree IMO it’s a Type-2 Eickhorn not a Type 3 While the page you referenced has allot of information some of the crossguards are out of order and some are not even listed.

In looking at the two web sites that Tom referred me to, I see that there is a difference in the feathers just above the legs. On the Type 2, there is only one set of "chevron-type" feathers above the legs. In the type 3, there are two sets of "chevron-type" feathers.If this means anything, then mine is a Type 3 crossguard. Do these feathers indicate anything, or am I nit-picking?
Dave

Its a type 2 Eickhorn. You can take Toms advice to the bank.

The cut to the eagles chest weave pattern is an easy giveaway.

Hi Tom
You are probably right and I have no evidence to proof the oposite.
But how do you know which one is the right Type-2 because the Type-2 and Type-3 are used in the same period of time so how can you know which was the first type out of those two?


Cheers,
Jori

Jori
The first and best reference point is the different maker marks Eickhorn used. You know the type 2 came before the type 3 as you see the early double oval maker mark (1935) coupled with the type 2 guard but never with the type-3. You can apply the same theory to the type 4 you can assume it’s the last for the same reason it’s seen with the several of the last maker marks Eickhorn used in the period. The type 3 is a mix of the 2 & 4 it has the head of the 2 and the breast of the 4 which in its self places the 3 in the right chronological order. I hope that makes sense

Agree with Tom and Jon..unusual mix here..Kevin.

Thank you Tom.
Great explanation ,it makes good sense.
Never too old to learn .

I love that site showing the different crossguard variants. I have a Luft dagger without the crossguard by WKC. I think the scabbard might be SMF but I am not sure. I am not sure if the pommel & ferral is WKC either. If I post pics can you guys help me with it.

Thanks,
Rocky