Could I have some opinions on this mini dagger. The blade is magnetic and was plated at one time but most of it is gone. The handle has a lot of small hairline cracks like ivory handles do. The crossguard has no swastika and is black where the emblem should be. No markings of any kind. It dissasembles jsut like the full size.

Dissasembled pieces
SSman

Blade front.
SSman

Blade back
SSman

Pommel
SSman

Scabbard fittings

Scabbard

Tang
SSman

Billet clamp marks??
SSman

Measures 7 and 1/2 inches long. I really believe that the scabbard has some kind of runners because it fits so snug into the scabbard? Did they ever have runners in minature daggers?
SSman

Looked into the scabbard with a flashlight and there is actually one runner inside the scabbard!
Ssman

Its a little difficult to be certain given the rough condition. The fact that it breaks down (do the scabbard rings also slip off) is a definite plus, especially as it has a feral, which many pieces lack. The absence of the swastika is rather odd as it should have been part of the cross guard mold, and would have ground off to "de-Nazify" the dagger as opposed to what appears to be "popping it out" as the pictures suggest. Runners are also a plus, but easy to manufacture if one wanted to deceive. Bottom line, I've seen some pretty "beat" originals made of late war materials (pot metal) and also several fakes with many good attributes. I can only give the piece in question a 50/50 chance based on the photographs provided. Frankly, its condition (and lack of swastika) should be a deal breaker regardless. Sorry I can't be more positive.

Andy

Thanks for your opinion Andy. The scabbard rings look like they are made onto the scabbard. When looking at the runner with a flashlight it has the same patina as the rest of the inside of the scabbard. What gave me hopes was the blade being made of iron and plated at one time. The newer ones I have seen have blades made of pot metal.
SSman