Description
Gebr.Gräfrath, elongated double-oval TM; SCARCE maker with an estimated 7,000 daggers produced (see page 327 of the Fisher Quick Reference by R. & R. Fisher). As stated on page 171 of The Sword And Knife Makkers Of Germany 1850-2000 Volume 1 by the late Anthony Carter, …”A sales catalogue was published in 1935 which illustrated… [in addition to hunting and sheath knives]…, the HJ knife, SA and NSKK daggers…”. Nickel-silver hilt fittings show light surface wear/age patina with reverse lower crossguard group marked, “Wm” (Westmark). The medium-brown, fine-grained cherry-wood grip shows faint surface wear with surperb, “fine furniture” age toning, no cracks, chips or depressions, and features early production quality grip-to-crossguard fit. The grip is complete with silver grip eagle and SA insert perfectly inset. Early mirror polished blade grades EX++, showing light runner marks and a gray speck on the obverse and reverse where scabbard runners have rested against the blade, pitting or nicks to cutting edges and no damage to blade tip. Deeply-etched motto retains 100% of the light gray background frosting. Dent-free, steel scabbard retains approximately 95% of the brown anodization, showing light surface wear primarily to edges of the shell with portions of factory lacquer remaining. The dent-free, nickel-silver scabbard fittings show light surface wear/age patina with two tiny “pecks” to the lower ball, but no damage to the scabbard screws. Nice dagger by SCARCE maker with superb, “fine furniture” age toned cherry-wood grip. EX+/EX++ (26323) SOLD
