UBB.threads Forums Edged Weapons SS Dagger Forum SS Zombie Dagger

I bought this beat up SS dagger from a WW2 vets grandson, it's a RZM 534/38/SS marked knife. The scabbard and crossguards were fine but the blade tip was broken off and the handle was missing almost half to include the SS runes button. There was nice crossgraining to the blade however. I was going to use it for parts but the more I looked at it the more I liked it. I decided to have it restored and this is how it came out, it's better than one less SS dagger in the world! Not perfect but presentable, the runes button is a repro. I generally don't repair or restore anything but it was either restore it or part it out. I left the bayonet frog on it as that's how it came.
MAZZ

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Like u said,better than 1 less in the world.Thanks for showing

Not bad Mazz! Any story on how the dagger got to be in the shape it was?
SSman

No, the grandson was only in his early 20's, Granddad had passed away, don't know who abused it, didn't want to make anyone feel bad about the damage. At least I managed to save it, sometimes when an item looks this bad people just toss it out.
Regards,
Mazz

I bet someone has been using it as a throwing knife.

Very nice job and I think the dagger is better in this case.

Mazz,

Nice work indeed, I believe you made this one so much better than when you found it.

I agree nice restoration job, bringing this back to it's original condition.

Mazz, nice save... Out of interest, did you have the blade reshaped to the broken tip, or did you have it welded up to its original length?

Red

Outstanding restoration! You did a beautiful job. Thanks for showing the improvement.

Jerry

Great job.

You should consider some black shoe polish on the frog. Leather needs a little help from time to time. Also beware of the green scuzz building up out of sight between the frog and the upper scabbard fitting.

Dave

I had the tip rewelded and reground to shape, the knife was sent to Tom Whittman for restoration work. Decent price, decent work and quick turn around time, what more can you ask for.

Mazz:
Was the grip replaced entirely or was the existing one repaired?
If the latter that's one heck of a repair job.
Jim

Jim,
The grip was repaired and a repro runes button installed, I hate the thought of the runes button being a repro but a real one is near impossible to locate.
MAZZ

I agree that it looks much better! Its good that you saved it instead of parting it out like so many seem to, as eBay indicates by the plethora of dagger parts for sale. I do the same, I fix them rather than scraping them. Scraping is destroying history IMO whether it is rough or otherwise.

quote:

Originally posted by Mazz:
Jim,
The grip was repaired and a repro runes button installed, I hate the thought of the runes button being a repro but a real one is near impossible to locate.
MAZZ

Great restoration job. Rune buttons are possible to get but You need to keep Your eyes wide open....

Great job and a great rescue effort!! kinda reminds me of the TV show "Animal Cops" you just want to choke the person who abuses such a thing!! Larry

How much is a runes button worth these days original ?

Probably worth anywhere between $150-$350, but since they're hens teeth, it's basically what anyone is prepared to pay. When Johnson still had them I think they were about $120 about 2 or 3 years ago.

Red

Great job, I would have to agree, better to restore than part it out. Best!

Great resto job !
If you had a real SS aged button, few if any could tell it was a complete rehab.

Congrats! You saved one SS dagger from the "parts" monsters!

-Serge-

IF THERE WERE A RUNES AND GRIP EAGLE AVAILABLE IS $230 A BARGAIN FOR AN ORIGINAL ?