UBB.threads Forums Edged Weapons Army, Navy, and Luftwaffe Forum Horster Army dagger variant?

Hey Guys,

Just bought this dagger and was wondering whether or not this crossgaurd variant (WKC) was common on the early Horsters??
As can be seen, this dagger has the early big maker mark of this manufacturer. Would be nice to see another dagger with this type xguard and maybe someone who has one like this would post a pic or two

Thanks,
Dion

Hi Dion,

My early WKC has the same crossguard i will post a pic for comparison, regarding your dagger if the manufacture of it was really early i would have thought it would have a slant grip? although i dont know if early Horsters had slants or not? Degens or Kevin will know for sure though....... Nice dagger anyways looks nice and tight, just noticed too is the scabbard WKC?

Regards
Adam

HI Adam,

I also have one of those early WKC`s with slant grip, however, its not a hard and fast rule that ALL early armies had slant grips. Only the VERY EARLY 35/36 produced daggers had slant grips, and not even all of them did. This dagger has never been apart and as such I know this grip is original to this piece, but what I do want to know is, is the early WKC xguard known to have been used on early E&F Horsters? I`ve never seen one, but it is known that manufacturers did purchase xguards and such from other makers. The scabbard is a typical E&F Horster with the two side domed head screws. Later they went on to the single dome screw on the back.

BTW, very nice dagger you have there:)

Dion

Yes, Horster is known to have used the WKC 1st prior to the introduction of their own in house produced early cross-guard. These WKC fitted daggers are normally internally stamped on the individual parts with a production number, with the highest number so far being "45". ( as far as I am aware ? )
If you do not want to take the dagger apart, see if you can see a number stamped on the underside of the cross-guard under the blade washer.
More on Horsters here > http://www.wardaggers.com/Army_Daggers.htm

HI Degens,

Yes, now that you mentioned that, I suddenly remembered that these early ones were numbered! Just had a good inspection of the dagger, but ALAS , NO NUMBERS!? Thought I had an extra special dagger here, but turns out that this one must`ve been made or assembled just after they stopped the numbering system? But, good to know that they were using early WKC xguards. Answeres my question nicely. Thanks guys.

Dion

Dion, Very interesting and NICE Horster you have!! Wonder what happened to the ferrel?? The rest of the fittings look very smooth and prestine? This must be a "transitional" piece right after Horster switched to a non slant grip but before they moved to there own fittings!! This would be an awesome and key dagger if you had an early initial slant Horster and a Horster fitted mid period dagger,what a cool display that would be! First I have seen with this combo of parts! Congrats... Kevin.

verry nice dagger. I have the same dagger with this crossguard.
Is your crossguard stamped with a number?

Hi Kevin,
Thanks for the congrats. Yeah, now to find a slant grip Horster

Oli,

Thanks for the compliments and unfortunatly, no, there is no number under the xguard! This is obviously one that came after the numbering system? Dion