I won't into the story but the Shooting Association dagger has some things that are for sure non standard. It has a ball end on the lower scabbard fitting. Which was cause for some concern plus it has staples front and back on the lower fitting also. Once it was in hand I noted a small stamped 2 on the reverse of the clamshell. So the throat on the scabbard has a lot of grime and green gunk I wiped it with my finger and damn if it didn't have a 2! Anybody seen something of of this nature?

Lower, this is the front.

Here is a bit bigger image of the reverse clamshell.

A minor detail I'm sure as Bill Shea had missed it, I know he would have made mention of it if it's something he had spotted. I'm not much of a removing gunk type after the last 40 years I like the gunk now! Bill had thought this was a very early Cutlass as it has no crossed rifles and no signs it ever had them installed. The grip is far from pristine. It has other anomalies also. i've not seen.

can you show a picture of the complete scabbard,

Gary

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Rear. You can look down the inner scabbard and see the staples inside. It pretty damn grimey. Not something I can get a photo of. The cutlass fits nice not sloppy not tight. I'm not concerned about it.once I noted the 2 stampings. Actually kinda like it. I know it's non textbook. I've seen others with this that were later Wiemar era types that had ball end fittings. Kinda glad I snagged it. I know the purists will eye roll.

Bret

My only concern really is the lack of the crossed rifles on this type of grip, I've seen a few shooting pieces with the scabbard staples like this and they have been from the Weimar period, who really knows what went on during the period but its the first time I haver seen a grip sans the emblem, I think your right it isn't textbook and not for everybody but for all we know it could be period, it's something your obviously happy with and thats all that matters.

thanks for showing

Gary

The grip is far from minty. It was another reason I snagged it. If it were crispy I would have had another reason for concern. I have a theory but in the end it's all conjecture. Again the other anomaly that really threw me was a transitional Prussian device . Again just another reason I was attracted to it. Not something 20 or 30 years ago I would have given a second look at. It's rather late in the game for me so things that give me pause for research are pretty special. Thanks for having a peek!
Bret