UBB.threads Forums Edged Weapons European Edged Weapons Bulgarian Labor Leaders Dagger

Great info.

My example does not have the leaf decoration on the scabbard bottom piece. I obtained it in 1989 and it had been in a collection for at least a couple of decades before that.

I personally, like Pesho, am a textbook type of guy.

His is an excellent description of what he has identified as two "textbook" types of daggers. That is what I prefer.

But there are too many examples of variations in not only Bulgarian but Yugoslav, Romanian and German that are totally legitimate and totally not "textbook".

In the end, it comes down to price. How much a person is willing to pay. To me the textbook examples are worth more. Others may see different.

Paulj, in my opinion the lack of the leaf decoration is not a detraction. MOre of a variation to justify buying another one.

This is all just my conjecture guys so your opinion is as good as mine.

Jim

As regards the photos. That is set by the administrator.

You can send the photos to me and i will resize them and post them.

Hi friend,
Ok, now, with my poor English I�ll try to tell you my opinion regarding �many examples of variations in Bulgarian daggers�.
I�m agree that there are many of variations , but I think that these variations were made late-during the communist�s time.
As you discussed already, during this time was risky to have goods with Royal symbol and I think that daggers survived from confiscation have been hided or modify � Royal symbol were deleted or replaced . During the years I have seen incredible combinations : Army daggers with plain unknown for me blade or with fantasy or unknown crossguard or with German Army pommel , some combination between Army and Labor daggers even Labor dagger with German KM grip and engraved blade. By the way both blade are identical and I think that for a 1st model Labor dagger was used same KM blade but plain one. /I noticed that Tobi�s dagger Nr 3 have similar to German KM grip/.
Due to the fact that from 1945 until 1980 in Bulgaria there wasn�t any examination of Royal daggers and practically was not a real market for Royal daggers , all these combination and variations were accepted like originals.

Sorry for the bad photos, something wrong with my camera. Later on I�ll try to post it again.
It was evidences of my words :Labor dagger with shorten blade , cross guars and scabbard, the monogram of king Boris III and and the Royal symbol on the cross guard deleted .
Two Army blades � the monogram of king Boris III and inscription God with us deleted.

Specially the blade of 1st model Labor daggers with engraved monogram of king Boris III was replaced by the blade of communist dagger � similar to blades Nr 2 and Nr 4.

Though a little late, I'll join the hangers discussion. As a side note, I have a Puma made dagger, with Puma marked chain hanger.

My main point is, to show a few period photos. Searched through my photos and found these. All photos are from the same lot and on all the officer wears cloth dagger hangers, as far as I can see. The photos are TINY, fortunately the scanner managed to magnify some details!

Even better visible, cloth hangers

Her the dagger is not well seen, but has a good company - a Navy dagger

Interesting discussion Guys.

Let me get back to the dagger types for a moment. Here is what I have in my collection:



The pommel is really nicely done but in contrast to showed previously it has empty spaces in the crown - you can actually see through it.

Also - there is a nice King Boris emblem on the other side of the crossguard ...something that did not pop up on any of yours.

And a close-up to the lion head.




I will be very much supprized if this one is a fake as holding it and seeing the detail of manufacture is astonishing.

What do you think?

Your additons are welcome, thank you

Hi,
Some better photos from the crossguard and scabbard can help.
Usually scabbard band has two screws holds only � on the bottom and on the back side of the scabbard.I don�t want to disappoint you but the last summer in souvenir�s shops I saw many of these daggers with monogram of King Boris III on the back side of the crossguards .At the earliest opportunity I�ll take some pictures from these shops.

Sad sad


How much do they go for as souvenirs than?

Another anecdotical rip off I was probably subject of. Paid good big $$$ for it.

Really nicely done if repro than... congrats to the local manufacturers.

Mike

And what do you say about this piece. A decent german productin?

This has been a wonderful experience ..

I have greatly enjoyed this thread ..

Thanks to all for sharing ..

All the best ..

Mike W.

OK, not too many replies so far. Will share with you the complete set of my latest purchase than.

here goes..

pretty nice hangers

belt

and hangers closeup

K boris emblem

obviously a puma example

and scapbard side

very nice set, hangers is in the top condition.Congratulation.Ted