Hello guys,
I never see this type of dagger. Is it one German Imperial Marine Dagger?
Any idea what would be a good honest value for it?
Regards,
Schmidt
What is the grip material please.
I believe it to be ivory.
I believe it is not bone.
Hello, with the small "dots" in it, it does not look like ivory to me but, as Mikee stated already, looks like bone (perhaps whale bone?).
Perhaps a standard 1890 (with the closed final) cadet pattern? But the two anchor crossguard here differs.
Regards,
Have found it in Wittmann´s navy book, page 57: As said a 1980 cadet pattern from WKC with exactly the same crossguard (two anchors) the closed crown final and the slightly distinct scabbard bands. Wittmann states that this certain model -without evidence- could be a "helsman or ship´s pilot trainee dirk" because this branch wore the crossed anchor insignia on sleeves and shoulder boards.
Regards,
I would agree with Wotan, this does strongly resemble the M1890 smaller scale dirks that were used by cadets. What I find interesting is the grip sits directly on top of the crossguard and is not seated in a ferrule or fitted section of the crossguard but this is just like page 57 in Tom Wittmann’s book.
The grip material does not exhibit the typical striations and Schraeger lines found on ivory. The holes definitely look like bone although I’m not sure if bone was available as a factory option or it was a later substitute. Bone was certainly cheaper to procure.
WSchmidt, you don’t show the blade tip, is it blunted?
Definitely a bone and not an ivory grip. The specks are actually blood vesicles in the bone. It also has the dull finish that bone has as opposed to the vitreous luster ivory exhibit s. These daggers were cheaply produced and are speculated to be possibly pilot daggers and not military ware. No one knows for certain. It is definitely not an1890 pattern cadet dagger, however.