UBB.threads Forums Edged Weapons Army, Navy, and Luftwaffe Forum Aluminun Hilt Army

Hi Guys,

I was curious what a value for an aluminun hilted army dagger is these days? I know that the early brass based slant grip armies are at a premium. So where do the aluminun hilted ones fit in pricewise? Obviously in excellent collectable condition.

Thanks!

Tony

Good question, and I don't really know the answer.
I think that the Heers w/ aluminum fittings are seen as a rarer variation and thus a bit more desirable, but I don't know that it really factors into their value very much. I know that there was a GDC Heer collector who put an add in the "wanted" forum not too long ago asking for these alumuinum pieces. To someone like that (who is specifically interested) they may be worth a little more. Otherwise I don't really think I have seen the aluminum fittings driving up the prices on these pieces, certainly not in the way that a slant grip or highly hand detailed crossguard can....
Anyway, that's my 2 cents.
Other opinions???

Hello Tony of course maker mark and condition are a factor. With out some more information or a pic I couldn’t estimate a price I do collect these and am the person who placed the wanted add. I currently own four but have owned seven. I just acquired one a month ago here is the link.
Aluminum hilt army

Thanks guys.

I appreciate the replies.

A question for Johnny.

If the aluminum hilted army daggers are rarer variation and a bit more desirable wouldn't it stand to reason that the price premium be comensurate with these facts? I was just curious how you arrived at your conclusion.

I have a few now and have owned about a dozen of the early brass based slant grip varieties. These are certainly desirable and somewhat hard to find now that Denny has most of them in his fantastic collection. But, you still can find these early daggers much easier than the aluminum hilted ones.

This Pack aluminum hilted army dagger is the first one that I have pulled out of the woodwork first hand. It has never been in a collection and is completely unmessed with in excellent to excellent plus condition. No issues, with great toning on the silverplated scabbard and ferrel while the satin aluminum hilt fittings provide that wonderful color contrast we sometimes see on Luft daggers termed as being 'tuxedo'. The hilt and pommel show a good amount of hand work and the blade carries Pack's Siegfried Waffen tm.

I'm certain a major dealer would place it in near mint or mint minus condition given today's somewhat optimistic grading. Be that as it may I was curious as to a realistic value...

Thanks again.

All the best,

Tony

Tony- Perhaps my response was unclear. I intended to say that this aluminum variation is rarer and for some collectors more desirable and thus should bring a higher market value. However I have not seen these aluminum pieces actually selling for significantly more than the non-aluminum pieces.
Thus I agree with your logic that these SHOULD bring a higher price, but I am not convinced that this has actually been taking place to date.

Denny has more of these than anyone else that I am aware of, he should be able to give you a better answer to your question...

I think we also need to keep in mind that it was not TOO long ago that many collectors believed these aluminunm pieces to be fake. I think that their being recognized as original will lead to the understanding of their rarity and intrest in them will grow. I think that with TIME the aluminum examples will be as saught after (or more) than the early slants. But this is just a guess.
Good hunting,
Johnny

Somebody utter my name? I'm on it...... er, Have been for a while.

Heeeeeey!!!! Denny GREAT to hear from you!!!
If we say your name 3 times do you magicaly appear for good?
WELCOME!!!!
Would LOVE to hear your 2 cents on this...

Tony
No doubt the aluminum hilts command a premium -does every one want one? Can’t say. I will say in the short time I have collected I have seen about 20 examples give or take. Rare? I would say so. IMO the pack marked are the most desirable. Which pack mark does yours have? If it is a price you are looking for since you have no pics I will put it this way I wouldn’t take less then 1k for any of mine and probably wouldn’t take that.

Hi

What producers used alumininun parts?

This comment does not answer any of your questions, but does provide some historical perspective on use of aluminum. During World War I the Heer Transportation Corps dress daggers occasionally contained dagger hilts of this metal mated to brass or steel mounted scabbards. During this pre- 1918 period daggers were made of brass, aluminium, steel or nickel silver. World War II Army daggers are not an area I collect but I do think they are one of the most handsome daggers produced. Does anyone have a Third Reich army dagger mounted in solid nickel silver or steel in their collection?

Hi

Where only the early army daggers equipped with aluninium parts?

The majority of the examples I have seen were early daggers. IMHO the packs are the finest exhibiting beautiful hand work. Pack sold the aluminum guard to other makers -Tiger-Spitzer to name a few but when seen rarely do they exhibit the quality finishing work seen on the pack product. Vic a few members over the years say Alcoso made a crossguard out of steel.

Alcoso did indeed produce some steel hilted Army daggers. We discussed this fact a number of years ago here. I was the one who first brought it to the forum with 'Eisenkopf', an ivory gripped, magnetic hilted, Alcoso army dagger.

Eickhorn used brass as well as nickle silver on some of their earlier army daggers.

As German industry geared up more and more for rearmament various strategic materials were heavily channeled to this effort. Several cullery makers experimented with alternate, nomstrategic metals for various parts of daggers and swords. Brass and nickel silver being used before the crunch became replaced with a zinc based metal that served the purpose at the time. A couple of companies also experimented along the way with steel and aluminum for a very brief time.

I currently have examples of the above in my collection.

Tony