Hello guys is WKC known as a manufacturer of RLB leader's daggers, specifically second pattern daggers? thanks and cheers, Ryan

I see that Wittmann has a WKC second pattern RLB em listed

I've only seen WKC as a maker on RLB EM daggers, never on a Leader's dagger.

RLB Leader daggers seem to be found in a limited amount of
makers, Alcoso, Weyersberg & the occasional example by SMF.

I have a WKC 2nd pattern leaders dagger if they made RLB enlisted mens daggers does it not make sense that they also made leader's daggers? Did not the other makers make both em and leader's daggers? thanks and cheers, Ryan

Ernst Eric Witte or Kroneck was also a manufacturer of second pattern leader's daggers that I have encountered. Thanks and cheers, Ryan

Ryan,

You're right about Ernst Witte, Kronek, I had completely forgotten about them as a maker of the leader's model. I went back & checked my records & found at least four examples of this maker on an RLB 2nd model Leader's dagger. One of these is our own Paul Lee's beautiful example that has an artificial damascus presented blade. Paul Hogle (Lakeside Trader) also had one of these presented Witte examples as well.

I also noticed a 2nd model Leader by Klittermann & Moog, owned by GD member Oestmarker. This is certainly a very unusual maker for this model dagger.

It would seem that Witte, along with Weyersberg, had a contract to make both the Leader & EM model RLB dagger.

So besides Witte & Weyersberg, of the RLB EM daggers I have owned or observed, they seem to have been made in numbers by Spitzer, Horster & WKC. I've also observed 2 examples by Gebruder Krusius & 1 by Eickhorn (pictured in a book).

Has anyone seen any other maker not previously mentioned?

Thank you very much for your detailed reply. It is always a pleasure to be assisted by knowledgeable people such as yourself. I do have a second pattern RLB leaders dagger by WKC. Is such possible? Does anyone know if their catalog shows them as producing RLB leader's daggers? Thanks and cheers, Ryan

Ryan,

Thank you for the kind words, it is a pleasure continuing to learn here about this hobby that we all seem to love.

As I was told early in this hobby, "never say never". That said, I've never seen a WKC Leader's dagger.

I went back and was looking thru old wittmann and johnson offering catalogs. WKC leader is imdeed listed Ryan. I went to look cause at some point i remember a a balloon man tm on a rlb but i never found it. And Ryan i just seen you pm to me im not on here much as of late. I do still own the tag and the RAD leader its on.
Bret Van Sant

Bret,

Was the WKC Leader a 1st or 2nd model? I'm presuming it was a 2nd model with the late WKC Solingen mark that we see on EM daggers.

Thanks Bret I really appreciate it Beautiful tag and RAD rsellick@rogers.com Thanks Billy My RLB leaders is second model with the trade mark as you mention cheers, Ryan must be fairly scarce then

C'mon Ryan, post some pics of that RLB! Love to see new things here.

will try just have a cell camera and laptop cheers

Ryan,

As luck would have it, I just acquired my own 2nd Model Leader by Ernst Witte along with the original hangers. Picked it up locally from the vet's grandson, it practically fell into my lap!

From what I can tell, this one was not converted from a 1st Model. The fittings are all aluminum & the maker mark is the Witte name without the diamond or Kronek logo. As is often seen with this maker, the name is etched so lightly, I can surmise how easy it would be to remove it with a very light polish.

Congrats on that purchase would love to see my WKC is long gone but acquuired a near mint 2nd pattern leaders no hangers though pick up at Max will send you pics to a cell if you will post for me here is my cell (647)240-1184 feel free to text cheers Ryan

hi members
would any of you guys have an extra rlb leaders dagger grip emblem sun burst swaz . please let me know if you do at nanny1fl@aol.com thanks have a great day god bless andy militarynut

Hi Andy Im sorry that I dont but I will touch base with you at MAX and if you are still looking it will give me something to look for as well cheers and best, Ryan

hi ryan
thanks very much for looking for me for this rlb dagger handle sunburst emblem part will be nice to finally meet you at the max just look up my name on the max book i am in the big room along the wall with all the high rollers i am very happy to be back in the big room again after so many years when the ovms took over they put me in the sub human room that wasnt good ok ryan see you there safe trip god bless andy militarynut