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Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 455 Likes: 36
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OP
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 455 Likes: 36 |
Hi,
I’m new here but some of you might know me from The Honor Ring forum where I have been a member for several years. I collect Third Reich rings, however, I know nothing about knives and swords. I live in Switzerland and a friend of mine here owns this Hirschfanger. He would like to know if it’s real or not. He speaks no English so I promised to post it on one or two fora and seek expert opinions.
Regarding the Hirschfanger, there are no stamps or maker’s marks as far as I can tell. It and its scabbard are in very good condition. According to my friend, it is at least 50 years old. Question is, is it a genuine Third Reich item?
The blade is inscribed on either side. One side is engraved with the words: ‘Wer nicht hat freud am blanken Swert / Am Falkenflug / Am stolzen Pferd / Am Schoenen Weiss / Der hat kein richtig Herz im Leib’ (He who does not rejoice in the naked sword / In the flight of the falcon / In the proud horse / In the beautiful white / Has no real heart in his body).
The other side is engraved with: ‘Erich Hartmann, zur Erinnerung an den 29.10.1943’. Hartmann, as you may know, was the top-scoring Luftwaffe fighter pilot in WW2. On one side of his name is the engraved signature of Hermann Goering and, on the other, a couple of bronze-coloured oak leaves.
Interested to learn what you guys think. I can post additional photos if required. Many thanks in advance.
Stephen
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 787 Likes: 26
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 787 Likes: 26 |
Stephen
I am a Luftwaffe nut, and have several prints of Hartmann.
I would say more but the drool is getting all over my keyboard.
Just a wonderful edge weapon.
Ed
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 205 Likes: 11
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 205 Likes: 11 |
Well Ed i most say that we differ a lot in opinion about this piece!
IMO its a postwar fantasy piece which has nothing to do with a high standard TR presentation piece.
Nothing fits here, not the clumsy grip, the poorly casted Marschall insignia attachted to the lower fitting, etc...not even to mention the blade.
But as they say... one man's garbage is the other man's treasure....
Ger
Last edited by Gerrit1963; 09/12/2022 08:33 AM.
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Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 455 Likes: 36
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OP
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 455 Likes: 36 |
As the visiting non-expert here and having looked at several of the Hirschfanger posts, it strikes me that many, even most, appear to have no swastika or other Nazi insignia. Is this because most of them are pre-Nazi period or is there another reason? Thanks again.
Stephen
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 787 Likes: 26
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 787 Likes: 26 |
Would still go with a lot of my things, and, not cost me many thousands.
Erich Hartmann, that man was just part of everything he flew.
I know nothing about Hirsch's
Ed
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 5,020 Likes: 31
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 5,020 Likes: 31 |
Hello, unfortunately I can only part the opinion of Gerrit1963 for 100%. Not even close to the standarts of honor daggers from this period.
Regards,
wotan, gd.c-b#105
"Never look for sqare eggs" as a late owner of an original FHH-dagger used to say.
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1 member likes this:
Stephen |
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 5,020 Likes: 31
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 5,020 Likes: 31 |
BTW the correct wording is "...AM SCHOENEN WEIB..." transl. "...in a beautiful woman..."
Regards,
wotan, gd.c-b#105
"Never look for sqare eggs" as a late owner of an original FHH-dagger used to say.
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1 member likes this:
Stephen |
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,823 Likes: 26
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,823 Likes: 26 |
I agree, post war. I have seen so many variants of these.
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1 member likes this:
Eric26 |
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,976 Likes: 33
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,976 Likes: 33 |
I have to concur with the general consensus NOT 3rd Reich period made piece absolute fantasy faaaaaake blade etc et al cheers and best, Ryan
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Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 455 Likes: 36
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OP
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 455 Likes: 36 |
Thanks all for your input. Such is life!
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,823 Likes: 26
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,823 Likes: 26 |
The ones I have seen over the years are coming out of Belgium, but I don't know if they originate from there. Mine is a Luft dagger, box might be original but the dagger I don't believe so. Kept it because I got it super cheap, like $20.00. I was betting on the box, it could be worth a lot lol
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,917 Likes: 5
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Joined: Aug 2000
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H. Goering would never allow a piece of this inferior quality be presented bearing his name.
MAX CHARTER MEMBER
LIFE MEMBER OVMS
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Joined: Mar 2001
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Joined: Mar 2001
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This is almost an insult dagger.
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