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Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 7
Norby Offline OP
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Posts: 7
Hello all! A little back story is in order. Back in the 70's I collected Third Reich edged weapons, concentrating on the common pieces (I paid $140 for a near mint early SA dagger that would easily sell for over $1000 today). After about 10 years, I moved on to other interests and sold off the collection but kept the 8 Volume set of Tom Johnson's 'Collecting the Edged Weapons of the Third Reich' just in case. Since that time I have always kept abreast of the hobby at various shows and very recently decided to dip my toe into the waters again. I purchased this early 1933 pattern NSKK dagger by Wilhelm Kober, with nickel fittings through out and a anodized black scabbard. It was 'uncleaned' and had verdigris in spots and so I gave it a gentle cleaning and polished all the nickel fittings and it came out absolutely stunning. I was concerned that the anodized scabbard was not original to the dagger as you do not see these too often as most all of them are painted. But after some research it turns out they are out there, but not very many.

I do not plan to go whole hog into this hobby as before, but I will certainly consider additional purchases if the right one comes along. I'm going to keep it simple!

IMG_1384.JPG (206.4 KB, 246 downloads)
IMG_1385.JPG (146.05 KB, 246 downloads)
IMG_1386.JPG (174.28 KB, 246 downloads)
IMG_1390.JPG (89.69 KB, 246 downloads)
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Thats a stunner for sure


Regards Sean
Joined: Sep 2000
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Online Content
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Fantastic !

Dave

Joined: Aug 2003
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Wow! Nice find.

Joined: Mar 2000
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I didn’t plan on going whh HJ ole hog into daggers either. Let’s just say I was never more wrong!

Welcome back, sweet Köber!


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Joined: Sep 2002
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Very nice! Its hard not to go "whole hog" when you see a dagger like that

Joined: Jan 2015
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E
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E
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Turned out looking new. A looker for sure.
Have any pictures of the "before" dagger??
Ed

Joined: May 2000
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JR Offline
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NSKK

NSKK1.jpg (37.95 KB, 185 downloads)
NSKK2.jpg (43.1 KB, 185 downloads)
NSKK3.jpg (53.63 KB, 185 downloads)
NSKK4.jpg (39.59 KB, 185 downloads)
NSKK5.jpg (33.78 KB, 185 downloads)
Joined: Nov 2021
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Norby Offline OP
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Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 7
Ed,

The above posted photos are from the Legacy Collectibles website. Great guys to do business with. They sell mostly German WWII pistols but also sell other items and occasionally get in some nice German edged weapons.

Joined: Jan 2015
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I kind of liked it the way it was.
But to each his own.
Ed

Joined: May 2004
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That is a beautiful early Kober NSKK-blade, Norby!

Most of these original black anodized NSKK scabbards have unfortunately been switched in order to "upgrade" a much more expensive SS-dagger with a painted scabbard. That is why they became really rare, in my opinion...

I agree with Ed, that cleaning a dagger is rarely a good idea.

Best regards,

Herman


You never have enough HJ-knifes!
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 7
Norby Offline OP
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Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 7
I understand the reasoning to not cleaning these daggers. There are collectors out there who collect battlefield relics and that's great, just not my thing. It could very well be that since I last collected these, more collectors are choosing to leave them as is. I don't recall that back in the 70's as being an issue. These early daggers with nickel fittings are meant to be seen and worn proudly by their owners, with all the fittings nicely polished and bright. That is what I chose to represent with my dagger, a simple cleaning and light hand polishing of all the nickel parts, returning it to how it appeared in 1935. This is what makes the hobby interesting, we all have our different ideas and tastes on our acquisitions. Thanks for the comments!

Joined: Jan 2015
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It really boils down to what you want, and what you want to do with the dagger down the road.
A cleaned and polished dagger will be of no real interest to a serious collector. So no real resale value.
If you like it, and pass it down in the family, than it is what it is.
Enjoy,
Ed

Joined: Apr 2017
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P
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A fantastic piece, in incredible cndition. Nice picked up after 40 Years..congrats Norby. Regards. Pat.

Joined: Aug 2001
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S
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I have to say that 30 years ago few people cared about cleaning of SA or SS daggers.......today, and in the past 20 years it has swung the opposite way....just as barn find cars in original condition are now preferred over many restorations....even being displayed at Pebblebeach concour de elegance in "as found/barn find" condition....un heard of 15 years ago at these events.....to state that a $1200 cleaned SA dagger has little value or has lost most of its value is, in my opinion absurd....gents someone plase tell the dealers this..... please send all of your cleaned daggers my way for 50% of market value everyone is entitled to their opinion however cheers and best, Ryan LOL

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S
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VERY nice dagger


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