UBB.threads Forums Edged Weapons SA & NSKK Dagger Forum SA high leader need help

let me know if the dagger is correct I do not have any other pictures of the dagger.
thanks

no opinions????

I want it!!

I'm probably going to regret this.....but I like it! Tell us more?

I am not sure if I can afford it and do not have any additional pics. What is the fair market value for something like this providing this all original an not a repro?

With the type of *$$$ you are speaking of, there should be MANY pictures. *As much as some houses.

Oleg, this is difficult to tell without better pictures.
There are a few things that bothers me on this SA High Leader.
First, it is quite obvious that the scabbard has been releathered.
Secondly, this dagger had the typical early "field upgrade" central scabbard band, however, it looks like if it has a second pattern late damascus type blade, having a rougher texture.

An early field upgrade scabbard's band with a late damascus blade, hummmmmmmmmmm.

This blade should have the early "double oval" Eickhorn trademark and NOT the "late over the shoulder" Eickhorn.

Reverse angle of the blade would tell us that.

Price range, anywhere between $ 35,000 and $ 40,000 USD.

here is the other side of the dagger.

Looks like the one on Greg Martin Auctions, scheduled for next Monday, 3-30-09. The catalog estimate is $25,000 to $35,000. There's a lot of high end blades and a few decorations with diamonds.

Lance

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Looks good to me apart from the re leathering on the scabbard as well. Would need to have a good look at it at the auction to confirm definately one way or the other for sure.

Price wise $30,000-$35,000 would be a bargain if it all checks out.

Will be interesting to see what it sells for at the auction, they have a lot of daggers for sale there.

So far so good, it does have the proper Eickhorn maker marked.
Though I'm no expert, my guts feeling tells me that this one is the real thing.

does anyone have any experience dealing with them? How reliable are they?

I would not pass it up at a garage sale. As far as not being able to afford it. Ask Suzy Ormann she will tell you and let me know when you will be on the show.

FROM THE PICTURES, it looks very good to me. Martin auctions are very dependable and their service is very good, but prices are very high. All the CA boys will be there and no big bargains are going to be had in my opinion.
Their past auctions are fairly well attended, but the phone business usually is brisk.
JMO,
Ron Weinand

Well,I too think its a recover and the very "solid" definition of the maiden hair
disturbs me a little.But,the whole thing looks too new (near mint???)where hasit been hiding???
The Auction I guess will tell as I,m sure the "punters" will be on it.JMO
Seiler

This dagger looks good, but it could be a clever fake or parts dagger. There are some apparently bogus SS daggers on the site. Check out the Alcoso and Weyersberg SS daggers there. I am not at all familiar with this auction house, but, as always, approach with caution!

There's also a bogus SA Eickhorn full Rohm there. For most of the other daggers, the photos are not detailed enough to tell much.

Could be the angle of the picture but what do you guys think of the blade profile????

who would be an expert on the above item to get a proper authentication of the item in question?

As grumpy has mentioned there are fakes and "parts" in there.
I never seen so many SS dagger scabbard ball fitting that appear to exibit the "Czech Ball".
Lots of other known fakes in there even with those bad photos.
Anyway, I only had one auction house where my refund was returned with no hassel. Martin was not the one.

-serge-

Helllo,

Doesn't this kind of thing count as a red flag around here anymore?

C'mon Guys!!!

Probably normal shrinkage IMO just need to take it down and check it is all numbered correctly then you will see if the handle is a replacement as they are numbered on these.

Mongo I think Railgun is pointing out the grip being over the crossguard not the gap.

Ed its not that bad, I have seen them from vets far worse than this. It needs a hands on but its not that bad IMO. I think we get far to paranoid about this kind of stuff, a lot of them did have a tiny step or gap in the fitting, someones probably had it to bits and put the crossguards round the wrong way or something.

Look at the step on this 36, aquired directly from the SS officer who is still alive and a mint untouched example. We seem to remember they are a collection of parts, I agree you need to look out for this stuff but its not always a dead cert.

This is an early one as well! a dealer said to me its the best one he has ever seen and its nice to know they made them like that!.

and another

Hi guys it is a GOOD high leader's dagger....scabbard might have been recovered but if it was it apparently was well done...one would need it in hand to see if the leather goes beneath the fittings etc...too much dialogue it is a good piece!!! No red flags that I can see at all....no need to beat the horse any further on this one cheers, Ryan

Railgun88: How many SA Honor Chained Daggers have you had in your hands? Not to say that this dagger doesn't need to be examined in person, but after 52 years in this hobby and having looked at more than a few of these Honor SAs and owned a few, I can see no real red flags from the photos of this one.
Ron Weinand

I have yet to see an SA Honor dagger with a perfect fit.
For some unexplained reasons, the fit on the SA Honor leader were never really perfect.

Hi again Guys,

As Ed has pointed out, I am NOT talking about the gap. A gap could be caused by normal Shrinkage, I am talking about the Step. I would think you wouldn't see too many that continue to GROW after they are put together. OK, 'fess up! Which one of you guys own this thing and have it up on this auction?

Before the Air fills with the screams of overly Righteous Indignation! I was Just Kidding!!

Yes Ron I have never owned one or handled one or seen one for that matter but I do own several beautiful early SA daggers and every one of them has an impeccable fit on the grip to crossguards –just dumfounds me that a dagger of this magnitude has a crappy fit like this – can someone show an early Eickhorn SA with a crappy fit like this?

If you think this is bad, look at an HJ Leader or a Feldherrnhalle. No, these arent' swiss watches.

Ron, The only one I have any knowledge of is the one I own. On it, The blade is NOT Original, but everything else is! and the fit of grip to crossguards is VERY Nearly Perfect! RG88

SOLD FOR 19 500$ plus auction fee I think 17% from the buyer.

Ron, Being around this stuff Almost as long as you have. I did not say that it was impossible that this was good. I was just pointing out what I considered would be a RED Flag. As to how many I have handled over the years, Not many (3-5). That is over and above the one I own Now. And I don't really remember ANY of them having That bad an overhang on the grip fitting, including mine. I would probably recall that!
RG88

Well it must have been OK and the releathering AND the grip fit wouldn't have been a problem with me

This SA High Leader was sold to the collector that had his items sold at this auction by Joe Pankowski some years ago.
He remembers the dagger and it is original with releathering.
Ron Weinand

Well, OK! But Ron, Tell me. At the risk of getting yelled at, But...Would you list something like that? "it is original with releathering." I am much happier with mine now! It is Original with a reproduction Blade and Crossguards". Sorry Man, Had to say it!! RG88

Please! The man was told the piece was re-leathered, as many SA Honor pieces are (this is common place with this particular dagger, as well as HJ Leader Daggers). Also, the price reflects the re-leathering, but this is much better than leaving the dagger sans leather.
IF you are willing to pay more for an original leather piece and are able to find one, so much the better.
They are raher rare you know.
Ron Weinand