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I wondered how many of you guys out there have seen one of these lately?
All comments welcome and appreciated.
Regards,
-serge-
I think I may have seen two of these in all the years I've been collecting. I've never heard of any repros. This is certainly an exelent example though.
I've always wondered why there were no 1946, '47, '48 Field Day daggers. Why only for '45?
Nice one.
These have been getting as much as a regular 1st luft as of late.
copied from Brian Meaderer's site:
Luftwaffe First Model Field Day Piece by Eickhorn
These daggers were made immediately after the war out of orininal parts. The blades were inscribed Field Day and on the flip side, Germany 1945. They were extremely high quality engraving like the period pieces. All parts were original. The only variant was that they always used a rather large orange celluloid grip. This example Is in excellent plus condition. You can also encounter these in SA daggers.
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Code: da10064
Price: $3,800.00
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What do the SA field day daggers look like? Don't think I've seen any of those..
Wow!
A fantastic dagger Serge!
I don't think I have ever seen one except in references!!!!
Amazingly rare and of incredible historic significance!
Congratulations!
Johnny
Spencer Victory (who sponsors a banner link on this site) has a nice B+A SA, no etch, but made for GI's postwar for sale on his site.
Mark
Thanks Guys for your feedbacks!
This one's the second I've seen. First one was over 30 years ago. But then I thought it was an "Atwood". (But unless it came from a Vet you can see why.)
I still don't know what the reason these were actually produced for. I heard various reasons but it seems the numbers were small. And as Brian states I have only seen the 1945 date. The fact that the Eickorn was allowed to distribute edged weapons with swastikas after the surrender seems to be another story to be told.
-serge-
Serge - Great 1st Luft "Field Day 1945" there! CONGRATS!
This is only the 2nd one that I've seen as well (it was also a 1st Luft). But, the history of the nice Dagger makes it WELL worth collecting.
I've always wondered WHY Eickhorn used 1st Lufts, instead of 2nd Lufts?
Did they have a 'stockpile' of 1st Luft Blades and Scabbards and Fittings, that were sitting around, unused & not sold?
My 'guess' is Yes - because forging new blades after May 9, 1945 wouldn't make too much sense, & then the Scabbard + Chain + Grip Top + Cross Guard, are all custom items. (Their 'etch appliers' and etch tanks were working fine though!)
....But then there are those B + A SA's to consider???...
Great CATCH! ... Best, Dave/dblmed
Karl s in the thread just below this one shows a B+A Second Luft with Blade engraved/stamped Solingen 1939. Lakesidertrader recently sold a B+A SA for $315
My guess is this was something going on locally in the Solingen area that was terminated when the Occupation Authorities discovered items bearing the Swaz were being produced for the invasion forces in contravention of the terms of occupation
Correction Pauls dagger is currently on hold at $395
Thanks Dave!
Regarding the B+A IMO they are a whole different type of dagger. Made later with some plastic grips and in much larger quantities.
The quality on a 1st Luft or SA "Field Day" daggers with their quality etched blades are no comparison to the B+A's.
Regards,
-serge-
Serge is correct. I've owned several SA's and one luft. They are assembled with quality 3rd Reich components.
You know it truly amazes me how attitudes towards these have changed. Just 5 years ago many thumbed their noses at these cause they are post-war. Today they are coming into their own for what they are.
Paul... You are 100% correct (as is your usual!) about this phenomenon.
I believe (and I hope) that we Collectors as a group (and especially those who try to keep up with the 'latest' on various Quality Forums) - are digging deeper into the historical aspects related to a specific item of their interest.
Such would certainly be the case with Serge's outstanding Engraved Luft (perhaps described in some future dealer offering as a "May 10 - Dec 31, 1945 Engr. Eickhorn Luft! ")
The TR Connection and the historical significance of these is there - but has taken a looooooooong time for it to be appreciated, IMO.
... Txs, Dave/dblmed
The grip on this one is the black leather and wire. Unlike the others which are orange with no wire.
Another shot of the reverse etch.
What are your opinions on this?
John
Here is the reverse crossguard
And obverse crossguard.
Another thing about this is the almost plastic feel of the chain, unlike the aluminum feel of the connector rings.
John
John,
I like it.
It's a textbook varient as shown in Johnson's Vol.1 pg 211. -serge-
Image courtesy of notaguru.
My photo server seems to have problems...Let's see if this works.
-serge-
Serge:
Thank you. I can tell you that I was getting a little concerned about the lack of an orange grip.
I looked at the etch pretty carefully, but could see nothing wrong with it, but the grip and the chain bothered me a bit when comparing to the one that you had posted.
John
It's just a varient John. A less common one of already a scarce limited issue dagger.
There it is in the book!
-serge-
