UBB.threads

Hi Gents,

I recently acquired this gold-plated beauty and I was wondering if the story that only 100 (or even 50) of these were made by E.&F. Hörster in 1991 is true?

Thank you,

Alex

Not gold plated, rather gold anodized.
I do not know how many of these were produced. We believe 1,000 of the Eickhorns were produced. Someone else might know how many of the Horsters. Keep your eyes open for a set of patent leather hangers.

Thank you Jim! I will.

what about WKC??

Always the best examples!!!

Do you think the WKC was a prototype manufactured in limited numbers to place a bid for the contract?

Not sure Jim.

Up till now I have recognised 3 (correction 4) distinct makers marks.

1. Eickhorn "deep" struck makers mark. Looking at the patina and these are the early ones..and most common. My grandfather was officer in the 60's and was given the option to buy one. (this was huge money in the day). Officers could also loan one out of military stock when they needed one for special event/dinners when Gala event were organised. These items were reboxed using the brown cardboard boxes. I think the blue original boxes were only issued with purchased daggers..that's my theory at least.
2. Eickhorn "shallow" struck makers mark. Most likely the second order placed to Eickhorn after the remaining first order disappeared from military stock. It has rumour that a lot of daggers disappeared out of the loan stock at some time.
3. E&F horster. Very rare! Believed to be a special order for a small group of officers. Shallow struck makers mark, different blade, different wire in grip. Only seen two now. the one I have and the one Alex apparently has. Not sure how many are made. estimate 30-100 range based on rumours again. No solid evidence on this.
4. Last year the WKC one (mint) showed up on local e-bay site. not sure about this one, but seems the original (now worn) moulds were used to make the castings. Clearly some casting flaws. Might like you say be WKC attempt to offer a cheaper dagger by copying the original Eickhorn or E&F horster ones. The blade however is the same quality as the E&F holster/Eickhorn, but the handle and fittings have a somewhat "cheaper" feel to it. Again NO idea how many have been produced. Hope its not the WKC attempt to mass produce like the WKC german WW2 navy they have been producing. We will see. Up to now I have only "met" one WKC. Hope it stays like that..hahah.

I will make some time to list the slight differences in more detail at some time, but here the makers marks.

Makers marks

Impressive collection. Thanks for showing.

Dave

Wonderful daggers and very helpful information. Thanks!
Alex