I recently purchased a SA dagger of the maker Josef Wolf from Munich.

I have searched for further information about this rare maker, especially the edged weapon forums in the internet and I have read Ltd. (ret.) Thomas M. Johnsons book "German Daggers of WW2 - Volume 2".

All information I found is talking about the trademark of Josef Wolf, Munich as the "double X", as it looks like 2 letters X next to each other. Even Johnsons book says on page 271 that it is a double X trademark.

Has anyone ever come up with another theory: it´s not a double X trademark, but a W on top of a M. The W stands for the company´s name (Wolf) and the M for the location of the company (Munich). The lower tines of the W meet or even "melt" with the upper tines of the M. One could think of a double X, but it´s in my opinion a W on top of a M.

Maybe this is nothing new, but I have never found anything about it. Any opinions are welcome.

... excerpt from Johnson´s book.

... better pic of the trademark. Clearly a W on top of a M.

In my opinion is is a "V" and another upside down "V" positioned over the first one...

Just kidding, I agree with your theory of a "W" and a "M", it makes sence.

Best greetings,

Herman

Though it looks like double Xs, I think it is 2 Ws.

Dave

W/M makes perfect sense!

You are correct Wolf/Munich. A lot of makers used one or two letters for their name and a letter for their city of establishment. In that order. Good eye!

This is like those tricky images when you can see different things depends how long you watching the image.
I can see XX , WM , WW , VV and even two V with a diamond in the middle.

The two W seem like the most probable theory in my opinion, and second the W on top of M.
I don’t believe in the double X.

Very interesting thread Ingo!

Sam,

I believe (as I have for some time) that the "W and M" theory is correct.
XX= Wrong!

how scarse (rare) is Joseph Wolf?
I just found one for sale and I'm waiting for the pics if the price is right a might buy it.

W/M definately makes much more sense than double XX.
I think that was the intention of the maker when he designed his logo.

PJ

I thought that I mentioned this a couple of years back....if you look at the letters closely and are familiar with fonts, it is clear that the letters are W over M and not two X's side by side.
Joe, this maker ranks a "10" on the McSARR list.

I also agree that it is a W over an M.

Mark

ivbaust ,

I see your gau isalso HO and stangly positioned in the corner.

Mine is also HO.

gau mark HO

Ho and Bo are often seen 'off center' on SA daggers. A centered Gau mark on one of these two districts would be considered unusual.

Mark