I inherited a nazi dagger today...

Hello everyone,

My name is Chris, and I inherited a WW2 nazi dagger from my grandfather today. I have absolutely no clue when it comes to these things, but the brand/model name is original eickhorn solingen.

Is this dagger worth anything today?

(Note: There is a small dent from a reflected bullet

Please have a quick look at the attached photos, any information regarding this weapon is highly appreciated!

 

Nice - very nice. Believed to be a presentation item from Adolf Hitler's personal collection.

 

Is it possible to get any decent sum off it? If it won't sell for more than $250 or $300 then I am not even sure I want to sell it.

 

Martin you made me spill my coffee on my keyboard

 

I believe the emotional value is higher then any retail price you'll ever get. Don't ever sell it ! First of all it was your grandfathers, second if you ever want to sell it sell it to someone who is willing to buy for his / hers collection, not just on e-bay or the one who gives you the highest price. Rather sell it to some who has got the passion for WWII not just dollarsigns in the eyes.

So please don't sell it.....

 

If not on eBay etc, where do I find people passionate for buying stuff like daggers from WW2?

 

Martin, for the one and only time Ive seen, is living up to his surname. Very naughty!

Christopher, Nazi daggers are associated with the very worst aspects of the Cult of Hitler Worship. They were used to bind the receiver to the regime with slogans like "Loyalty Is My Honour". It's highly questionable whether the recipients had any 'honour' to speak of, otherwise they would not have accepted the dagger, or joined the inner circles of the Nazi cause to begin with. So, naturally, people like Martin are cynical when it comes to 'valuation' of such items.

For my money, the darned thing is not worth the metal it took to make it. Melt it down and make a charm bracelet out of it. This would be an appropriate 'Gotterdammerung' ending for a bit of memorabilia that is a sordid aspect of a detestable regime.

 

On the other hand, get what you can for it, the absolute maximum. Then use the profits to go out and have a great time at the expense of the Third Reich. Or better still, donate the proceeds to an organisation like 'Legacy', so that you can honestly say that this small piece of the Third Reich ended it's days doing something constructive for the widows and fatherless children that this government created.

I'm sure you could then be proud of the work you put this piece of metal towards. Take a picture of it before you get rid of it, place it in your photo album, and stare at the picture on occasion. You'll get as much satisfaction out of it, then, as you would from having it displayed in your home. And no awkward questions from visitors either....

 

Eh?.
The Dagger had been an intrinsic part of the German officer's accoutrements well before the Nazis took over.
Despite the Swastika addition during that period (what didn't get a swastika stamped on it...), they were not universally a specifically Nazi introduction, or particular expression of their regime, more one of the Prussian Officer caste, and even a German tradition of 'officialdom' (eg. The wallace collection has an Imperial dagger as issued to German Firemen as part of their ceremonial gear). It had little to do with 'inner circles'. Many are beautifully made pieces, with some of the clearest Damascus work I've ever seen... and I like Damascus work.

While I entirely understand Martin & others' cynicism, 'Genuine vet trophy piece' being such a cliche in the mass market of WW2 German militaria, ahem, 'reproductions' (tread carefully in an area which has generated so many thick & detailed 'spotting the fakes' books), and am hopefully not daft enough to verify whether something's genuine or not by a few photos and a little story - what sort of Dagger would that represent? Kriegsmarine Officer?

If you're genuinely looking to sell, Chris - maybe try Wehrmacht Awards .com for initial advice, and be very careful with who you deal with - so many sharks and horror stories apparently infest the Market.
Personally, I'd keep it - looks rather nice to my untrained eye.

~A

 

I make no apologies for my comments Adam.

It's a detestable piece of memorabilia from a detestable regime, period.

I wouldn't allow the bloody thing in my house, or any other 'period piece' for that matter. I also do not approve of guns in my house, either, leaving that for those that feel it necessary in their homes. Not in mine.

And, if you don't beleive the daggers were to bind people to the regime, then I pity your aspect of understanding of what exactly it is that motivates someone to join a volunteer service of this nature. Flashy uniforms are a big part of it, and useless trinkets like this one, more so.

 

Looking for no apology here. Just commenting on an apparent assertion that German Military Daggers are a Nazi phenomenon. Giving them such vociferous dark significance is a bit like saying 'Gott Mit Uns' or the Iron Cross were of any black significance beyond long-established military tradition.

There were German military forces before Adolf rose up.
They carried formalised Daggers. As did assorted civvy & Governmental organisations
Presumably Stauffenberg and the July Plotters did too - And I'd suspect they'd likely very much have rather separated views on the Swastikas on them, and the Daggers' main symbolism in itself.
(Makes me wonder how the nazified Daggers were issued; how Officers & men cashed in their Imperial ones, and if it was obligatory in Uniform regs.)
Though I do see that the Bundeswehr doesn't apparently continue the tradition. A shame I think, in purely military interest terms. I'm always glad to see the Iron Cross symbol was retained & rehabilitated after Adolf stamped his Logo on it.

My old 59 Commando mate is very attached to his Dagger, I'll remember to tell him how it binds him to a regime, rather than being symbolic of a strong military tradition.
Hoohoo. He'll like that...

~A

 

Point taken...

I'm chuffed for not thinking of that one myself!