UBB.threads Forums Edged Weapons Army, Navy, and Luftwaffe Forum Pot and Aluminum Pack fittings.

I thought i would post a pick of my two to show the difference between the 2 types. They can appear to be very similar depending on their condition.

From the rear this looks to be Alu'

Even when compared to an Alu - still hard to tell the difference

However when you flip em over it gets a little easier

Next closer without flash to show the Pot vs Alu

The Alu's are lighter and 'fatter'

Neither maker is Pack but shown as examples of the fittings. When apart and depending on what state the Pot is in, very easy to get mixed up.

Have you had them apart and did you weight the crossguards? Would be interested what the difference is.
Concerning the crossguards only (NOT the pommels), from the pics I personaly would assume that both are leightweight crossguards, an early one which is silvered and a later one which never has silvering.
I am not aware of a pot metal crossguard with this certain eagle.
When you look at the (also) wonderful detailed photograph of reverse of both crossguards, you can see the bright satin finish aluminium and the high luster of the what is imo aluminium/silvered one. It is my total persuation and experience that no finish (shown here) ever, in which state it might be, can get the "look" of the other one.
As ever, an inspection in hand would be much much better and can give the final proof.
I have read about a roumor that there were "no satin finish all aluminium crossguards", they all once would have been silvered and the silvering has gone to time. This is NOT my personal opinion. Once silvered aluminium imo never can get this satin finish (of pure aluminium) after the loss of it´s silvering. The reason seems to be the application of the silvering which needs (to my best knowledge) a separate interface layer which somehow chemically "burns" into the aluminium which does destroy any possibillity for satin finish when once the silvering is lost. also perhaps afterwards polished aluminium has a vers distinct (compared to the satin finish) look.
sturmbrigade, thank you very much for this very interesting comparison, for your effort in phographing and I hope that other members will contrubute their experiences and opinions.
Regards,

The satin aluminum guard issued by Pack whether a type one or type two (mike Hansen was the first to acknowledge the 2 types) are IMO the finest made hilt parts of the period. They are always seen with beautiful hand work more so on the first type. As Wotan said there are some people who believe they where once silvered-absolutely not true as Wotan said as evidence by the finish this is not possible. I think this theory started by people who saw aluminum? Pot metal? Guards that were once silver finished that the finish was non existent to barely remaining so they assumed that this was the case on these others. I always thought these silvered guards were pot metal maybe they are aluminum- the gentleman who just sold one in the classifieds identified his as aluminum. One smoking gun though you always see extensive hand work on the issued satin aluminum crossguards and pommels as well as the bright satin finish- you never see this on these other guards they have no hand work at all. The issued satin aluminum Pack hilted army daggers are one of the most sought after variations of army daggers and when you have the chance to inspect a few in hand it is a difference of night & day between the issued satin aluminum and the once silvered versions. I have attached a few pics of a few I own I have vet acquired several of these one the vets son called it a generals dagger

pis of a few of mine

The Generals Dagger

Here are a few links on aluminum hilted army’s Denny has the best collection of these probably by now 10+
Link 1
Link 2
Link 3