UBB.threads Forums Edged Weapons Army, Navy, and Luftwaffe Forum Luft' 1st Eickhorn.

Hi All,
Got this Luftwaffe 1st pattern a while ago please give any opinions you may have on it. I believe it is an early production type with solid nickel fittings and chain hanger, the only thing I can't figure out is the pommel firstly it's obviously had a knock at some time which has put it off centre and it is unmoveable though I haven't and won't try to force it I think this has bent the tang. Anyway the point I want to make is as an early type shouldn't the pommel centre be silvered brass disc insert with gilt swastikas I have seen early ones where the silver plate has worn away and the gilt but this leaves the swastikas and background raw brass coloured but on mine the gilt has gone but no sign of any brass could the pommel be a later one in alloy with the gilt worn but silver intact? The swastikas are gold/brass coloured on the crossguard but not the pommel is it right? though it matches all the other fittings in tone and it looks like it was bent a long time ago. Generally I like the dagger specially the condition of the leather though it is a bit dark now, I also think the whole piece has had a patina cleaned away at some point but that doesn't bother me personally. What do you think? Almost forgot to add the chain hangers have removable clips that I have seen before on an early Eickhorn and also a set in Whittmann's Luftwaffe book on page 58 which is one of the reasons I chose this dagger.
Cheers, Andy.

Some more photos.

No opinions about the pommel then, or anything else?

It's a very nice example of early Eickhorn production, but I believe that the pommel has been switched at some point in the past. The pommel and crossguard swazs normally match.

Hi Vern, Thanks for your reply would you have any ideas on what production period the pommel is - early Nickel, mid alloy ? Cheers, Andy.

While the crossguard looks like the early production (attached swaz disk), the pommel looks like mid-period (nickel silver) or late (alloy) production where the swaz is part of the pommel and gold plated. The plating was not very durable and wore off on many examples. It could have been a transitional piece, or the pommel was swapped later.

I have three Eickhorn 1st Lufts, and think that from first to last production, they are:

the earliest with the double oval maker mark and the raised swas on the pommel,
a waffen amp marked seated squirrel with the raised swas
a straight seated squirrel with the smooth swas

This one looks like the middle on to me.

Hi,
Thanks again Vern and John, I tend to agree mine does look like the middle photo you posted by John and answers my query as to it being nickel but no brass insert. So from what I can gather here it's looking like the pommel is a mid period nickel type with worn away gilding and the rest of the Dagger early production but is it likely that the pommel was always part of this dagger as the tone of the nickel and old patina left in the crevices all match totally maybe last of the early parts assembled with the next gen pommel used to complete it or is it more likely that the pommel is a replacement for the original. I know that's like asking "how long is a piece of string" and I suppose any guess is good as another here. I don't think it detracts from the overall desirability of this dagger and I am perfectly happy with it, so once again thanks for your time gentlemen.
Regards, Andy.

I don't think the pommel has been "switched" out at all........the tone of the fittings match perfectly regards

Agreed. The pommel swaz was also much more subject to wear