UBB.threads Forums Edged Weapons SS Dagger Forum SS Uber Alles

With the prices going out of control as they are today, I can't imagine buying anything other than a nice clean unmessed with SS dagger. Compared to buying something else the disirability, mystique and the fact that they must be issued individually make them unique. I think however any major condition factor still prompts me to move on and look at the next available one. I have other daggers of course as most everyone on this forum probably does, but the SSs so greatly embody the philosophy of the Third Reich era that is difficult to imagine an equal here.

You got that right !

Snap them up now while they are cheaper than they will be next year !!

Dave

Good observation and advice. Don't get so picky, though, that you let the decent ones pass you by. Truly strong "excellent" SS daggers are becoming very scarce and very expensive. Restoration is more and more accepted by collectors. Grip and scabbard restoration have reached a very fine level. Although most would want an "untouched" dagger in pristine condition, they are few and far between. A nice, "solid" dagger is still desirable and will likely never depreciate in value.

One and a half years ago I was desperately looking for my first (and so far only) black one - then it seemed almost impossible to get a decent 33 which wasn`t snapped up in a flash - now it appears to me that there are more on the market for a longer time, however the prices, as Dave says are higher than they were at that time . It seems for now we have reached a level where not every collector can or want to afford such treasured piece - please correct me if I`m wrong .

quote:

now it appears to me that there are more on the market for a longer time, however the prices, as Dave says are higher than they were at that time . It seems for now we have reached a level where not every collector can or want to afford such treasured piece - please correct me if I`m wrong .

No, you're right.

When i joined this forum i thought i would never own a real SS dagger.Now i have two M33's and a M36.Did my nose bleed? Hell yeah!!
Did the dry bread taste good? Nope....

Did i get over the dry spell ? Sure dude!!
Buy now , cry now , bleed now and laugh later......

Ulf.

Guess I am in the minority ..... but frankly the price of SS daggers (and RKs too for that matter) have turned me off. I don't mind paying a buck (even a top buck), but it reaches the point that the buyer is being exploited. I have turned my attention to another area of militaria collecting. Nooo I won't say what it is for fear of being run over by the lemmings while the dealers and restorers lick their lips..... Sorry for being negative guys but the fun is being taken out of it.


Rod

The price of SS examples is hefty and as stated before, will not get any less expensive. I never thought I would be able to afford a chained '36 either at one time. The solution was to bit the bullet, take out a loan (4k back then) and aquire it. Do I regret it ? No. Did I have second and third thoughts at the time ? Yea ! Was it a b**ch keeping the true cost from my better half ? ( We all know the answer to that one ! ) Point being, If you really have to have one for your collection, there is no time like the present if it is at all financially possible. We can all shake our heads about the rising cost of these pieces, but it would probably be a different story if we were on the opposite side of the fence. I can remember Ex ++ maker marked examples on Ebay five years ago selling for 2K, and guys complaining that was too much. Today a piece rated at good + fetches that. This brings me to another point which we have all heard before as well. Buy the very best you can !!! I have seen collectors, both on and off this site get thoroughly disgusted when they try to upgrade and have a difficult time selling their lesser conditioned pieces, especially when the $$$ is needed to fund the new purchase ! This will leave a bitter taste in your mouth for the hobby. Ask any member who owns a piece in Ex+ or better condition if they regret it. By the way, It took me two years to pay back my pension loan for that '36. I hope I did'nt offend any one, but this is how I see it in black and white.

Good Hunting as always !

George

My Klaas is still availabe in the Forsale section with vertical hanger and unit marked at a good price. You can always get more money, but you can't always find complete SS Daggers.
Ron Weinand
Weinand Militaria

To Rod & all - there is a recent history that suggests SS daggers are a blue chip item. I am finding an area that has not had the price run-up yet - think documents & autographs. There are other areas of TR not yet exhaustively researched & exploited. All it would take is heavy promotion by a major dealer to light the fire. Also if you educate youself, you can get good items at bargain prices at auctions & local shows. Get that SS dagger ( if you must ) as cheap as you can.

Collecting is a highly personal matter. One should buy what he wants with the price being secondary. I have learned that to buy on price and try to be content with something less than what you really wanted just does not work. Many of my little "treasures" would be considered by many as way over priced, but I am happy with them. If they should prove good investments so much the better, but that is not the main point. As a crankly old bachelor I can do pretty much what I want. I have only one early Herder 33 SS dagger with vertical hanger .... not mint but does carry a Wittmann receipt of authenticity. I bought it from Tom for $2,200 about 6 months before his book came out. I think the price would be about $3,000 today but frankly I would not pay that much for it. I have thought of upgrading it or maybe adding a 36 dagger.... but not at these prices. Again, its all a personal thing. Have fun and be happy with whatever you do. I am certainly not being critical of what someone else does. All I would ask is if you are happy with it, not how much you paid. If so, I think that is great!!!

Rod