Luft' 1st Eickhorn. - 10/15/2018 11:34 PM
Hi All,
Got this Luftwaffe 1st pattern a while ago please give any opinions you may have on it. I believe it is an early production type with solid nickel fittings and chain hanger, the only thing I can't figure out is the pommel firstly it's obviously had a knock at some time which has put it off centre and it is unmoveable though I haven't and won't try to force it I think this has bent the tang. Anyway the point I want to make is as an early type shouldn't the pommel centre be silvered brass disc insert with gilt swastikas I have seen early ones where the silver plate has worn away and the gilt but this leaves the swastikas and background raw brass coloured but on mine the gilt has gone but no sign of any brass could the pommel be a later one in alloy with the gilt worn but silver intact? The swastikas are gold/brass coloured on the crossguard but not the pommel is it right? though it matches all the other fittings in tone and it looks like it was bent a long time ago. Generally I like the dagger specially the condition of the leather though it is a bit dark now, I also think the whole piece has had a patina cleaned away at some point but that doesn't bother me personally. What do you think? Almost forgot to add the chain hangers have removable clips that I have seen before on an early Eickhorn and also a set in Whittmann's Luftwaffe book on page 58 which is one of the reasons I chose this dagger.
Cheers, Andy.
Got this Luftwaffe 1st pattern a while ago please give any opinions you may have on it. I believe it is an early production type with solid nickel fittings and chain hanger, the only thing I can't figure out is the pommel firstly it's obviously had a knock at some time which has put it off centre and it is unmoveable though I haven't and won't try to force it I think this has bent the tang. Anyway the point I want to make is as an early type shouldn't the pommel centre be silvered brass disc insert with gilt swastikas I have seen early ones where the silver plate has worn away and the gilt but this leaves the swastikas and background raw brass coloured but on mine the gilt has gone but no sign of any brass could the pommel be a later one in alloy with the gilt worn but silver intact? The swastikas are gold/brass coloured on the crossguard but not the pommel is it right? though it matches all the other fittings in tone and it looks like it was bent a long time ago. Generally I like the dagger specially the condition of the leather though it is a bit dark now, I also think the whole piece has had a patina cleaned away at some point but that doesn't bother me personally. What do you think? Almost forgot to add the chain hangers have removable clips that I have seen before on an early Eickhorn and also a set in Whittmann's Luftwaffe book on page 58 which is one of the reasons I chose this dagger.
Cheers, Andy.