I have always shied away from these due to my inability to recognise good from bad, but when this one came on the market from THE most reputable source, I had to take the plunge
Recently obtained directly from the vets family, and presented to you entirely ‘as found’ (minus the spider family in the frog!) Crossguard nut is seized, and on the advice of others will stay that way. I have wiped the piece with a dry duster and renwaxed the blade, otherwise just as bought back by the vet.
I have been advised that the ‘W’ letter and numeral on the reverse crossguard relates to the Wahlstatt NPEA school, open 1933-1937, which on closure transferred current students to existing schools including PLON, which accounts for the PLON graduation engraving on the obverse upper guard, and possibly for the clearly amateur period repaint of the scabbard
I believe this to be a perfect example of a Type 1 Burgsmuller with Nickel fittings and original-tho not typical –frog
Your comments would be appreciated

paul

I have been asked to show the reverse of the frog:

fantastic pics and a great item well done .Just out of interest what are the opinions from the forum on the correct type of frog ?
dippy

The NPEA daggers are the thoughest to find on the market and are also one of the most difficult to authenticate.

Well done Paul on a fine specimen.

Nice grad marked NPEA. Believe the frog was originally made for a bayonet. Would be nice to see the crossguard and tang markings though.

So now I know who beat me to this fine dagger, well done Paul. How is the blade? It was supposed to have some element of "professional" sharpening.

Thanks guys,great to have your approval.
I'm blown away by this piece-but now I'm totally hooked! Gotta have more LOL

Billy my friend the 'professional sharpening' is so slight as to be undetectable, and the period repaint gives the Wahlstatt/Plon transfer story so much more depth, I can imagine the student reaching his new school with a rough scabbard,but wanting to impress his new teachers,so goes to see the overworked maintenance staff for some help and being told "there's the paint, there's the brush-get on with it!"
Great stuff

Paul

Very nice find that is one superb dagger

Great Score Paul. Apparently this went up for sale on Friday during the SOS. I was the 6th person to call Monday to buy it!
Luckily, I did find one NPEA to buy at the SOS.
Interesting history on the school situation. I also have a dagger which started out W 095 stamped, then over stamped with the PL school marking with the switch, see picture. My example is not graduation marked, so I really do like your example.

Nice Paul!! it doesnt get any better than that ,, getting it direct from the vet. These are getting hard to find period!!! I have seen some nice ones on this forum lately and recently Pats example! Larry

Congrats, Paul. A fine original with a very interesting NPEA school history, as revealed by the markings. Thank you very much for showing it to me and to Ted Daly at the Chatham Dockyard show last week, much appreciated by both of us.

Barry

Barry, it was a privilege and great pleasure to chat with yourself and Ted, some of the most respected names in the hobby-your opinion,as always, is most gratefully received and appreciated.
Paul

Nice score!!

very envious - still looking for one - if ever anybody wants to cash in on a spare one