   
|
complete dagger. This dagger came without leather. You can see where leather was at one time, glued to the original factory paint. I note that every one of these that comes from a major dealer has fairly new looking leather on it. Speaking with other collectors, I have the understanding the daggers often did not have leather. What are the thoughts? Jim
 |
| |
|
|
|
Jim, that is one beautiful looking Labor Corp dagger that you have!
I agree that examples of these daggers are found with or without a leather covered scabbard. From my observations, the ones produced in Bulgaria (or at least not maker marked) often times are not leather covered and show no traces of ever having been. The "German" produced ones seem to have been leather covered. By the way, Puma is the only firm (outside of Bulgaria) that I have seen as a maker of these daggers. Anyone have an example made by another German firm? Another variation I have seen are examples of those with or without a grooved blade. As I mentioned in another post, many variations in Bulgarian daggers seem to exist.
Jim, interesting to note that my Labor dagger came with cloth hangers and not a chain. I always assumed that a chain hanger was correct for this piece. However, I wonder if a cloth one was used at some point in time or was it an option. Most Labor daggers that I have seen are without a hanger of any sort so I have always wondered why when so many other hangers seem to exist.
I will take some pictures of my Labor Corp and post them later today.
Gary
|
| |
|
|
|
Hi Jim,
Jim, probably you know that there are 2 models Bulgarian Labor daggers - 1st model was produced in Germany - Puma blade and 2nd model /lаte war/ was produced in Bulgaria with plain blade.
I have one 2nd model and it’s scabbard has some oddments from leather,but I don’t know if it’s original or not.
Just once I sow a dagger with leather on the scabbard.All Labor daggers wich I sow in Bulgaria are painted.I don't know the reason,but I can tell you that the Bulgarian Air forces daggers produced in Solengen with leather on the scabbards, but in practice very soon the daggers lost the leather and than the scabbards have been painted.
Probably with Labor's daggers had the same problem.
|
| |
|
|
|
Jim , I'm agree with Cary - dagger has cloth hangers.
 |
| |
|
|
|
Compare together 1st and 2nd model
 |
| |
|
|
|
The pommels
 |
| |
|
|
|
Here are a few pics of my Labor dagger. This one has a painted scabbard and is Bulgarian marked on the blade. Gary
 |
| |
|
|
|
pic2
 |
| |
|
|
|
pic 3
 |
| |
|
|
I love these Bulgarian daggers....Only have one so far
|
| |
|
|
|
Jim, there's no doubt in my mind that your chain is 100% correct. There's a bigger question in my mind about my cloth hangers. So far, it appears as though some hangers might have been used or acceptable to use, on a variety of Bulgarian daggers. I can't say for sure because it would have been so easy to swap them around and there's not much reference material for any conclusive opinions. However, I have seen what I believed were Police hangers attached to Army, Brannik Leaders and Police daggers and I don't know why. However, I would think that if all Labor daggers came with chains, you would see them more often. After all, the chains would hold up much better than cloth hangers so where did they all go? So many questions and not enough answers.
Regarding my hangers for the Labor dagger, I will try to post pictures of all of my hangers at a later date. Here's why. I do not display any hangers with my daggers so they are stored "off site". I just don't have the space and in my mind, cloth hangers are somewhat fragile so they are packaged in air tight bags. It's similar to the products you see advertised like, space saver bags or the vacuum sealing bags for vegetables. Now quit your laughing as I'm sure you must think that I'm being anal about them. Well you're probably right. However, being they are not on display and might be sold with the daggers at a future date, it seemed wise to protect them as best I could. However, I do have pictures of some my daggers with the hangers attached. As we discuss each model, I will be sure to post pics of them with hangers if available. If we decide to start a thread just on Bulgarian hangers, I will unpack them all and post pics.
Gary
|
| |
|
|
|
Hi Jim,
I haven’t hangers for Labor dagger , but I have seen 2-3 daggers with cloth hangers.
They are similar to Army,Police and Gandarmerie hangers The diference is the colour of the cloth .The Labor hangers has brown colour.
Also in mr.Predov book is mention – quote “Labor daggers has hangers made by thick cotton cloth ornate with dark-brown band , without tinsel fibre ”.
Except of Fire officer dagger all other Bulgarian daggers have cloth hangers.
|
| |
|
|
I think we are all agreeing here. I don not know when or to who the chained hangers were used, but it is clear to me that there were other hangers. The shear lack of numbers of chain hangers tells me that. This is why I refer to them as ultra rare. If there were more of these indicating universal use, we would not have this discussion. We do not see many of these so I assume the chain hangers only came with the Solingen daggers. So, I do not know if these just came with the dagger and the wearer used a more standard cloth hanger, or if these were presentation daggers warranting the different hanger. In short, I do not know. But, I do not doubt there are cloth hangers. I also note several different hangers available for different daggers in Bulgaria. When we are doing the army daggers, we can expand on this. Gary, I also store my hangers different. Mine is due to space also. Interesting. Jim
|
| |
|
|
|
Hi Zet, Very interesting Labor dagger that you have in your collection. I have never seen one chrome plated or maker marked on the scabbard. I especially like that little detail.  Also, I don't believe that I've seen a blade maker marked on one side and King Boris on the other. It's usually one or the other to the best of my knowledge. In my opinion, the dagger is an original one that as you stated, has been plated for some reason. One thought comes to mind is that it was not uncommon for many "war souvenirs" to be chrome plated. This was very common on German helmets and I have seen it on Japanese blades and many other items. However, the strong possibility exists that it was originally plated for a special reason. I'm also wondering if it could be a very early production due to the maker marked scabbard. In any event, it's a great looking dagger that deserves more research! Thank you for showing it to us. Gary |
| |
|
|
Hi Zet. On the maker mark and Boris on the other side. This is the same as my Puma and I suspect all original Pumas the same as Zets. I was surprised at the scabbard being maker marked and checked mine and what a nice surprise, mine is maker marked also. So the basic trapings of Zets daggers are true to the other models. On the plating, I am not so kind as Gary. He is quite correct with the veterans penchant after the war for plating things. Plated pistols were a favorite of US GI's. However, chrome was a material not used on daggers (with rare exception) and certainly not by the Germans. Add that to the pentchant of some East Europeans to plate everything, leads me to question this plating. That being said, I would like this one in my collection without hesitation. Jim
|
| |
|
