Translate German to English - Click here to open Altavista's Babel Fish Translator Click here to learn about all those symbols by people's names.

leftlogo.jpg (20709 bytes)

Upgrade to Premium Membership

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,881
Likes: 7
Fitzer Offline OP
OP Offline
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,881
Likes: 7
Hi Gents,

I purchased an Eickhorn Army dagger a while back with a distinct cross-guard. I consulted with a couple high end dealers, and they confirmed it was an early Eick likely factory enhanced and probably a one off as they hadn’t noticed this cross-guard variation before. I started doing some research and discovered that there were also other examples of this cross-guard type appearing on Eickhorn army daggers. Below are the examples I have found so far including my own dagger and two from Tom Wittman’s website

The main difference is that the rounded part of the wing nearest the swaz appears to have been clipped (red arrows) so they don’t quite fit with the early types that are known. These cross-guards also include the ‘squashed’ feet typical of the Type 1 cross guard.

EickXguard-post-Final.jpg (50.11 KB, 250 downloads)
Variation1-Final.jpg (61.38 KB, 248 downloads)
Variation1-d1.jpg (57.93 KB, 248 downloads)
Last edited by Fitzer; 10/21/2023 05:04 PM.
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,881
Likes: 7
Fitzer Offline OP
OP Offline
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,881
Likes: 7
I think its widely agreed there are currently 4 known types of Eickhorn cross guard types. (courtesy: wardaggers.com - German Army Dagger Crossguard Makers Reference).

Judging by the configuration and details of the types I believe this (new) variation would fit somewhere between type 1 and 2. For your review. Let me know what you think and if you have any examples of this variation in your collection to share.

Cheers,
John

EickArmyVariations.jpg (165.31 KB, 247 downloads)
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 15,174
Likes: 119
Online Content
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 15,174
Likes: 119
Great photos, Fitzer,

What about the one seen on the all-aluminum Army daggers ?

Dave

Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,881
Likes: 7
Fitzer Offline OP
OP Offline
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,881
Likes: 7
Thanks Dave,

Here is an example of the Eick aluminum type cross guard type (courtesy Tom Kendall's website). It has a very similar type cross guard but it appears to be more a type 1. Also the examples I show have brass mounts.
Regardless of the fitting composition I think the cross guard variation I discuss is a 5th type. Perhaps Type 1.5 (between known types 1 and 2 :-) )

army-eickhorn-aluminum-ivory-5.jpg (83 KB, 224 downloads)
Last edited by Fitzer; 10/21/2023 10:27 PM.
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 762
Likes: 1
Offline
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 762
Likes: 1
Very interesting! Thanks for pointing this out.

Regards
Danny

Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,975
Likes: 45
Online Content
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,975
Likes: 45
Thanks for bringing this up, very interesting Fitzer..I would love to get Denny R. take on it as well.

Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,881
Likes: 7
Fitzer Offline OP
OP Offline
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,881
Likes: 7
Thanks guys. Hoping other collectors can share examples to confirm

Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 221
Likes: 16
G
Offline
G
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 221
Likes: 16
I think it has nothing to do with a different type of guard, but more like who did the final finish of the guard.
The one who handled your guard just had it longer to the grinding wheel, taking off a bit more material.
I have one in my collection that has a more rounded shape on the left side following the feather line from the top, and a straigh one on the right, cutting into the shape.

regards,
Ger

Eick 1.jpg (130.17 KB, 112 downloads)
Last edited by Gerrit1963; 01/23/2024 10:32 AM.
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 5,075
Likes: 35
Offline
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 5,075
Likes: 35
I think Ger hit the nail. When you look at the feathering of the wings the certain potion in question clearly is missing it´s ends, simply taken away by the grinding wheel. Might be the special taste of a foreman. Nevertheless an interesting observation which makes our hobby so complex.
Regards,


wotan, gd.c-b#105

"Never look for sqare eggs" as a late owner of an original FHH-dagger used to say.
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 15,174
Likes: 119
Online Content
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 15,174
Likes: 119
I agree.

If you look closely at the early Army pommels that were hand enhanced you will see many variations where the detailer taped out slightly different pattern although the basic pommels are identical. This is the same thing.

You see similar variation in the hand enhancement of early Eickhorn crossgguards on SS,SA, and NSKK daggers.

Dave

Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,881
Likes: 7
Fitzer Offline OP
OP Offline
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,881
Likes: 7
Thanks for the feedback guys!

Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,649
Likes: 2
Offline
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,649
Likes: 2
Interesting post Fitzer!


It's ALL in the DETAILS!!.......
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,881
Likes: 7
Fitzer Offline OP
OP Offline
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,881
Likes: 7
Thanks Kevin!!


Link Copied to Clipboard
Popular Topics(Views)
2,309,964 SS Bayonets
1,807,271 Teno Insignia Set
1,173,109 westwall rings
Latest New Threads
Ring ads in period magazines and books
by n0th1ng - 12/11/2024 12:11 AM
F.J.Stephens
by wotan - 12/11/2024 12:00 AM
1938 Walther PP Question
by RML - 12/10/2024 07:15 PM
Paratrooper helmet
by adriano - 12/09/2024 09:39 PM
German Pewter Pitchers
by C. Wetzel-20609 - 12/08/2024 10:13 PM
Latest New Posts
F.J.Stephens
by Gaspare - 12/11/2024 02:49 AM
Ring ads in period magazines and books
by Gaspare - 12/11/2024 02:27 AM
Pin Plates
by Mikee - 12/11/2024 01:17 AM
1938 Walther PP Question
by Vern - 12/10/2024 11:01 PM
Warning: Fake Laurin Mark.
by Mikee - 12/10/2024 03:21 AM
Forum Statistics
Forums42
Topics31,755
Posts330,536
Members7,674
Most Online5,900
Dec 19th, 2019
Who's Online Now
8 members (Dean Perdue, Mikee, stan, stingray, Tanker, Gaspare, Vern, Dave), 177 guests, and 79 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5