UBB.threads Forums Edged Weapons Army, Navy, and Luftwaffe Forum my new Holler

Also picked up this Holler at the weekend, mainly bought it for the hangers but its growing on me, the tip has a small kink and i was wondering if its possible to straighten it? Also could you tell me about the grips as they seem to be a strange colour, iam reluctant to dismantle as its not been appart ever.

That looks to be a galalith (milkstone) grip. Wavy tips are usually easy to straighten with a little heat. Careful not to break it off.

As Vern said, this one looks typically for a (full) galalith grip, no need to disamble the dagger. H�ller mostly did use the plaster filled grips or seldom yellow trolon grips so this one is a nice variant.
Concerning the blade tip I would not mess around. Your photo is a macro one and I think in nature it does not look that bad.
The crossguard seems to be the most early one by H�LLER (although this one looks to me clearly like leightweight base material, TTW states early ones would be brass base) which also conforms to the relatively early hangers with brass clips.
If untouched (all parts originally fitted togehther) I would think it is a nice early variant.
Each comment from our army specialized collectors would be appreciated.
Regards,

Thanks for the info, why is grip it called a galalith?

Several years ago I wrote an article about the use of Galalith. I dare say it has gone with so many that were lost but basically it was the earliest of plastic compounds and was produced from milk protein. Also commonly called "milk stone" and used predominately for jewellry in the first quarter of the 20th century.

Lee, My opinion is that this is a parts dagger constructed of various makers parts. The scabbard is hard to pin down with these pics but appears to be a generic type or WKC if there was originally just one screw to retain the throat on the side(cant tell in pics if there is a hole for another?).Actually looks like an Eickhorn made scabbard with WKC sidescrew,these two makers were known to trade parts. Holler ALLWAYS used a rear mounted centered single screw on there scabbards. The fittings(Pommel and crossguard) are Alcoso made,and Holler was not known to my knowledge to use Alcoso fittings as they made there own. Dont mean to rain on your parade but I believe this to be so. Kevin.

Thats a blow just when i thought i had a good buy, it must have been put together many years ago as the previos owner had it in his collection for 2o+years, if i was to re sell what price would i be looking at, would it be best to keep the hangers or sell as is? thanks for the advice.

I would still think guys needing a representative example for with a uniform or the like and aren't "dagger collectors" per say would be interested in it for the price. Value still around $250 to $300 I would think. Like to hear opinions from other Army dag guys like Degens or WW2 Collector. What do you guys think??

Almost forgot the hangers,the value above is without the hangers,they are quite nice and if you like em,keep em! might as well have a bright side! Kevin.

Kevin, me too the xguard+pommel appear alcoso and also agree with you that holler used one rear centered screws BUT only starting in middle/late period with his more common scabbard bodies, as Holler too in his very early manifacture (slant grip, tapered tang, 1'eagle style) produced two side screws scabbards.

I am with you Kevin. My guess would be the blade has been swapped out. Alcoso parts and as Wotan pointed out Galalith is unusual on a Holler but very common on Alcoso daggers.

J.M.O

Joelabrendola, In my experience Holler used the single center screw even on initial production slants. Eickhorn and WKC did use double initially, but I haven't seen a Holler yet. I may be wrong,just what I have seen...

Still think this may be an Eick scabbard too(with WKC screw),check out the thick throat piece and Eick typical oak leaves. Kevin.

Kevin,This is one of those I refer to, Pics are not the best being the same I saved when I bought the dagger from a UK dealer. Now cannot, not having here my camera, but if this is of interest I will do better and closed pictures just to show the details of the bands and the golden colour matching all the hardware (classic heavy metal). In the meantime I was searching some daggers on the net and I met another on Wittmann site (#47).
[img]http://yfrog.com/6611530cj[/img]
[img]http://yfrog.com/7411530bj[/img]
[img]http://yfrog.com/jj11530aj[/img]
[img]http://yfrog.com/e9115301j[/img]

sorry but i realized now pics are on esternal link: i don't recall the way to post here directly, sorry

joelabrendola, Your pics came through! That Holler scabbard has two doesn't it? The convex shape of the bands sure looks like initial Eick scabbard,was it brass based scabbard? Holler may have purchased Eick scabbards until they turned out there own? Thanks for pics of a nice Holler!! I would love to find one like that. Looked at Wittmann #47,this does look more like Holler style leaves,interesting! I wish I had pics of the initial production single screws I have seen to show you! Only one off the top of my head is the one on page 36 of Wittmann's Army dagger book..a matching patina'ed scabbard with Holler leaves all the way. Kevin.