Hi All,
I normally collect Third Reich period Daggers and bayonets but came across this at a flea market for a fairly cheap price I have thought about collecting some Eastern Bloc Daggers for a while now and I think this might be a good starter. I don't really know much at all about them but I believe this is for either Army or Air Force and the only difference would be the colour of the hangers which I don't have but want to find some for it if it's a good piece that is? I am aware that these were produced after the fall of the DDR for the tourist market and not sure if this is a DDR period piece or a later re run? It is in nice condition and the only problem it has is a small area of the chrome plate has lifted away from the ball on the scabbard end fitting. Any information I can get about this dagger would be greatly appreciated and also can anyone recommend reading material reference etc. for East Bloc Daggers, Lastly are there any UK dealers for this market I can't find any here but plenty in the USA.
Thanks, Andy.

A few more photos.

I seems you already know most of which there is to know. In 1989 the factory put together all the parts of all the East German daggers they had on hand and sold them. For the next few years at the major shows in Europe there would be stacks of boxed East German Daggers complete with hangers and belt loops. Lately, reproductions have shown up at a low price.

Hangers do come up on Ebay from time to time but sellers generally want a lot of money for them. If I was going to start collecting East German daggers I would go for the boxed sets with hangers. The price is lower than it has been for years and you have more of a chance to get an original.

Hi Jim, Thank you very much for your reply and I agree with you about going for the boxed sets they do pop up now and then and as you say prices seem very good so will keep looking. I was curious to know if the dagger I have is DDR produced or later is there any way to tell the difference? though I guess the fact that original stocks were used it might be difficult.
Cheers, Andy.

That is the problem, there is no difference in the factory models pre 1989 vs 1989. The modern reproductions have differences in the scabbard as I recall. There are many theories about telling which factory models were actually produced before 1989. I do not think you can really tell. I have one "General;s" dagger left that, because of the grip color and age I believe was pre 1989. But the price is the same on all. Sorry I could not be of more help.

The only way to be sure is to just acquire the ones that were maker-marked in the 60's-70's.
From the time the daggers became an issued article from the armed forces (in 1975), there is almost no way to tell if it is made in 1985 or 1995..
Only provenance can tell.
I have read somewhere that the serial numbers on the daggers where going up to about 5000-5500 before the nation collapsed, and only presentation daggers could have numbers above 6000. However I dont know if this information is trustworthy.