As this areas has been a little quiet lately, thought I would show my Horster Leaders:

2

3

Just(!) need to find some minty hangers......

Paul

Very nice! And a highly under-rated dagger when in exceptional condition.
Ron Weinand
Weinand Militaria
PS: Nice hangers are next to impossible to find on today's market.

I agree 100% totaly under rated and undervalued! I had a chance to purchase a nm set of hanger for $3000.00 about 6 months ago. Seems like a lot for some leather and a few fittings. I have an Horster Leaders ex++ that I bought from Wittmann along with a Good condition set of hangers they were $900.00

By far more rare than the SS daggers and they sell for thousands more!

Mine came from an estate sale in WI a few years ago. Horster in choice near mint condition with no flaking. Came with the best set of hangers that I have seen, leather and bullion HJ Leader's Belts and Buckles, Leader's peaked hat.
I have had around 10 HJ Leader's. 9 Horster and 1 Eickhorn. It is nearly impossible to find a near mint one without some flaking, especially to the crossguard. Leather also becomes loose easily.
Eickhorns are usually better, but far more rare. There are a few different forms: soft scabbards, externally mounted fittings, functional pommels rather than the pinned on models and some with the Eickhorn TM instead of the RZM marking.
Ron Weinand
Weinand Militaria

Ron
Do you have any photos of the variations, in particular the trademarked Eickhorn? I am particularly fond of this model dagger and in time would like an example of all the variants in my collection. Us U/K guys really miss out, not having special shows to go to where we can see examples of daggers. Book learning is fine, but nothing compares to holding pieces in the hand and of course, experience.
Paul

There is one in my book: "NPEA Daggers and Associated Knives".
Ron Weinand
Weinand Militaria

Thanks Ron-it will be the next tome in my Library-do I remember you mentioning an updated issue out soon?

Paul

By far not so nice pics like from Paul (cagratulations to your nice dagger, excellent condition) I do show my EICKHORN. But with the proper accouterment. With ALL accouterment.
It is the "all aluminium" variant with also an aluminium (leightweight) scabbard. Nearly never to be seen in such a condition.

Hangers WITH belt loop. The belt loop itself is more rare than an EICKHORN dagger and the hanger together.

Hangers back. Top fitting and bottom fitting proper marked, leather also rzm marked (when you look closely at the right arm between bucle und bottom fitting) and marked with the "theelegged swaz" by Lüneschloss (nearest to the same bottom fitting).

Blade with motto.

Motto detail.

Mark

Last one.

Wotan
What can I say, outstanding-wish it were mine...

Paul

That are both great daggers .

One of my most recent aquisitions...Tiep

again..Screaming mint blade..you cant upgrade this one!

another

yet another

last one, might be for sale soon!

Awsome pieces here! I look forward to having on in my collection one day. Such beautifully designed pieces. I have heard that these are one of the best faked daggers, that the fakes on some cases are of better quality construction than the originals. Is this true? Any suggestions as to how to aviod the fakes of this dagger??

I'll share mine.

Bought this 2 years ago. Hangers a in good/fair condition. Dagger Ex++ All orignal.