UBB.threads Forums Edged Weapons SS Dagger Forum Purported Himmler letter openers

Good afternoon, all - I was hopeful that someone could assist. I am a small WWII memorabilia collector - and recently came across the attached. The gentleman that showed them to me, is a very avid, well-known collector of German blades and I have known him for many years, He tells me that he purchased the attached at a militaria show many years back - these are purportedly from Himmler. They have no maker's mark - but are in beautiful condition. I have done some due diligence and have found nothing like them on the Net.

I have no reason to believe that this gentleman would intentionally lie to me - but was hoping for any second opinions that anyone might have.

Many thanks in advance.

C

First, Curt, Welcome to GDC. You'll find lots of good stuff here,



The Himmler letter openers have been discussed for many years on Internet forums and the better bars

I have not seen those you show before - they are new to me. Neither have I seen them offered as a set. They are usually offered ssSingly.

Can you tell us who is selling them and the asking price ?

Dave

Thank you for the nice welcome - happy to be a part of the group. The gentleman, who offered to sell them to me is the son of a WWII vet, who maned a troop ship back in the war. His dad would apparently trade the GI's returning home, for cigarettes and collected a significant number of very cool souvenirs. The son was Best Man to my father - so I have never had any reason to disbelieve him. He's a really good guy and has sold me a number of items, that he has doubles and triples of - I have dress daggers from each of the services - both military and civilian. I have gravity knives and a couple of SA daggers, one a partial ground Rohm. Several medals including a complete set of air force medals - in bronze. Everything is excellent ++ condition.

The price for the letter openers is in the $1500 range, my understanding is that he purchased them as a "set" also. Money has never been his motivation. He has a son in the Navy who apparently has zero interest in the collection - I just think that he appreciates my interest in history and would rather not sell to a stranger.

All of the above being said, I am a very novice collector - and certainly realize what I don't know. But, I would rather not pass up an opportunity to own a cool piece of history if they are even remotely authentic.

Curt,

Thanks for the detailed answer.

My advice would be to pass on them at any price. Beautiful pieces of art, but not from the WWII period or from Herr Himmler's desk, in my opinion. Why would HH have had 4 of them ? ... and why would they have those varied logos ? That's my 2c worth.

Welcome again, Curt.

Dave

I greatly appreciate the opinion and the advice - thank you.

Have a great night.

Curt

Curt,

I agree with Dave, I have never seen this specific type of letter opener although most of us have seen Himmler types. The asking price is troubling however as a period example would likely fetch much more. I’d avoid them as well.

Good morning, thank you very much for the insight. I will surely take the collective advice and steer clear of them.

Enjoy the rest of your week.

Curt

I bought one of the "SS" "Echt Damast P Muller" / "H. Himmler" letter openers at the Allentown, PA. Military show about 1980 for $300.00 and sold it a few years later for $100.00 to, I think it was, T. Wittmann.

The story goes that the ones shown in the 1965 Atwood book were made by Paul Muller after the war for Atwood.

When I would travel and visit the Solingen Museum many many times a year I knew the Professor that would be there on occasion and has written books on knifes. He told me that he was given a letter opener from Muller whom he knew and that they were in fact post war made. Best!

Good afternoon, thank you for the reference photo. This certainly looks nothing like the openers that I posted. Again, I greatly appreciate the expertise.

The type of the decorative Damascus and the cardboard case with red tissue makes me believe that this must be an eastern product: Turkish or Indian made probably...

I’m with Herman, the pattern on the originally posted letter openers does resemble the Indian damascus blades we see on daggers with modern spurious dedications.