UBB.threads Forums Edged Weapons HJ Edged Weapons Forum HJ Leader - Maker Marked?????

Hello HJ guru's. I have read in previous posts that Eickhorn produced some HJ leaders with makers marks. I was wondering your thoughts on this version. Personally i dont like the thickness of the etch or the eagle but havent seen anything to compare it to. Help/options greatly appreciated.

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This is not an original HJ leader dagger.The detail of all components such as the maker mark are terrible.

I don't like it at all either...
Complete fake.

That thing is loaded with questionable details...fake. Tiep

Yep but look what 30 odd years of patination and suttle de nazification can present to the unwary this one should go in the photo archives as a warning as to whats out there lurking for the unsuspecting

I have NEVER seen lettering like that on a HJ leader- danger-Mike

Thank you one and all for your feedback and comments you have certainly confirmed my doubts

As a point of reference you might like to tuck this one away on the reproduction forum Russ.

It would be nice if you posted these with the swaz showing. But I agree, the motto is nothing like a real one. I also agree, as this stuff gets old, it will make telling real from fake that much more difficult.
Best, John

This is a sophisticated reproduction & without experience of the HY Leader I had to do quite a bit of searching to make comparisons before I dismissed it myself. I did not like the etch & maker mark either, as mentioned above.... but sometimes etching can look poor when photographed in high detail. I was unable to find images of an early piece with MM to compare. Seller gives a 14 day return on his guaranteed items???? Yeah right...then just try & get your money back huh. To be fair though the seller has given very detailed pics so maybe....just maybe he actually believes it is good.

Other than the etch being too thick, there are a few subtle differences.
Comparing it to my Horster the wings on the repro eagle do not sweep up
at all at the tips. I guess for future reference that would be one point
to check. On the repro fitting the eagle is set lower with a wide margin
of space above it where the original eagle is evenly centered on the fitting.
I have owned 2 different fakes other than the one shown of this dagger and
there are probably more bogus versions out there.

HELLO!! YOU CAN'T COMPARE AN EICKHORN HJ LEADER TO A HORSTER. Eickhorn made at least five different variations of the HJ Leader and all are different. Plated blades and unplated blades with the standard 35 to 41 TM and plated RZM M7/66 mark, soft scabbards, aluminum scabbards and steel scabbards. THE EICKHORN HJ EAGLE IS DIFFERENT FROM THE HORSTER EAGLE.
It ain't easy boys!!
Ron Weinand
Weinand Militaria

Just as a side note on this particular dagger, it looks like someone has buffed a plated blade. This may be why the motto looks strange and poorly etched. IF you notice the fine scratch lines across the plating and the fact that the darkening is missing from the motto and the TM, its a tough call.
I can't say without seeing it in hand.
JMO,
Ron Weinand
Weinand Militaria

Hi Ron,
The reason I compared it to my Horster is that the eagle on the piece in question looks more like a Horster eagle than an Eickhorn eagle. OOps I guess I should have clarified that. The typical HJL Eickhorn eagle has a smaller head and a more tightly grouped tail than the Horster eagle. The blade of course is marked Eickhorn but I
personally would stay away from this one, but there are some things about it that I
like better than the reproductions that are more commonly seen, one thing being the
general quality of the scabbard and another being the detail of the pommel.

I agree it ain't easy with HJLs though you have to do your homework.