Hi Gents,

I purchased an Eickhorn Army dagger a while back with a distinct cross-guard. I consulted with a couple high end dealers, and they confirmed it was an early Eick likely factory enhanced and probably a one off as they hadn’t noticed this cross-guard variation before. I started doing some research and discovered that there were also other examples of this cross-guard type appearing on Eickhorn army daggers. Below are the examples I have found so far including my own dagger and two from Tom Wittman’s website

The main difference is that the rounded part of the wing nearest the swaz appears to have been clipped (red arrows) so they don’t quite fit with the early types that are known. These cross-guards also include the ‘squashed’ feet typical of the Type 1 cross guard.

I think its widely agreed there are currently 4 known types of Eickhorn cross guard types. (courtesy: wardaggers.com - German Army Dagger Crossguard Makers Reference).

Judging by the configuration and details of the types I believe this (new) variation would fit somewhere between type 1 and 2. For your review. Let me know what you think and if you have any examples of this variation in your collection to share.

Cheers,
John

Great photos, Fitzer,

What about the one seen on the all-aluminum Army daggers ?

Dave

Thanks Dave,

Here is an example of the Eick aluminum type cross guard type (courtesy Tom Kendall's website). It has a very similar type cross guard but it appears to be more a type 1. Also the examples I show have brass mounts.
Regardless of the fitting composition I think the cross guard variation I discuss is a 5th type. Perhaps Type 1.5 (between known types 1 and 2 :-) )

Very interesting! Thanks for pointing this out.

Regards
Danny

Thanks for bringing this up, very interesting Fitzer..I would love to get Denny R. take on it as well.

Thanks guys. Hoping other collectors can share examples to confirm

I think it has nothing to do with a different type of guard, but more like who did the final finish of the guard.
The one who handled your guard just had it longer to the grinding wheel, taking off a bit more material.
I have one in my collection that has a more rounded shape on the left side following the feather line from the top, and a straigh one on the right, cutting into the shape.

regards,
Ger

I think Ger hit the nail. When you look at the feathering of the wings the certain potion in question clearly is missing it´s ends, simply taken away by the grinding wheel. Might be the special taste of a foreman. Nevertheless an interesting observation which makes our hobby so complex.
Regards,

I agree.

If you look closely at the early Army pommels that were hand enhanced you will see many variations where the detailer taped out slightly different pattern although the basic pommels are identical. This is the same thing.

You see similar variation in the hand enhancement of early Eickhorn crossgguards on SS,SA, and NSKK daggers.

Dave

Thanks for the feedback guys!

Interesting post Fitzer!

Thanks Kevin!!