This is my small collection of min daggers. The first is a Heer that is engraved "Postel Koln-HBG", is not maker marked and measures 18cm long.

Next is a Luft 2nd model with inscription "Fredrich Prfusse K.G. Braunschweig 1884 - 1934". It is not maker marked (but I think is Alosco) and measures 23.2 cm long.

Last is a Luft 1st model, that is not engraved, but is made by E.F. Horster, it is 22.5cm long.

Hi,Sorry but I believe your LW 2nd is a Spanish made repro.Jay Parisi

Without seeing it in person I tend to agree with Jay on the 2nd model Luft. Although a beautiful piece, a slew of 2nd lufts with 50th anniversary markings made the show circuit many years back. One quick way to check is to assess the weight of the dagger. The ones I remember were extremely heavy, especially in the grip area. If you were to hold an Alcoso in one hand and this one in the other, you would notice the later is significantly heavier. The others are very nice however.

Sorry to be late on responding but yesterday was a local holiday and I wanted to get this dagger weighed. I took it into my office and used my postal scale and the dagger without scabbard weighs 2.9 oz an the scabbard 1oz. There is a leather washer at the top of the blade and inside the scabbard at the top appears to be a leather band to hold the dagger from falling out. Can anyone provide me with the proper weight of the dagger and measurements of different parts. Thanks a lot and I really appreciate your assistance. Jim

Hmmmmm I have one with the same markings an SMF

Blade spelling is different "Preusse" on mine

crossguard (bum photo)

M/M I also remember TW having one with SMF mark for sale.This one is very light

The Army has no ferrule-not good-I don't like those. The Alcoso type Luft is a fake with possibly a good SMF blade. The Horster 1st model is missing the ferrule too-and the buffer pad--I don't like that either. Probably all 3 are parts at best.
Sorry. JMO

As usual a great catch by Houston, with whom I must agree. Ferrals should be present as seen on the Alcoso and smaller version below.
Andy

I have to say I might be incorrect about the DLV/Luft Horster. Many times these particular pieces come without ferrules.

Again, I concur with Houston. Case in point; I have owned these for a number of years. Notice the bottom piece is sans ferral.

Andy, I notice the 3rd one has a brownish or greenish grip. I have one that's almost jade green. Is that from aging?

Your correct, it is kind of a chocolate color. I suppose ageing is a possibility, but it would be mere guess. Haven't seen others quite like it, so it may just be an example of poor quality materials.

Thank you for your insights to my daggers, doesn't make me feel good, but glad to know what they are/are not. Jim

Sorry to restart this old topic but are the lightweight 2nd Lufts genuine , was there a genuine 50th anniversary model. Its just that I am seeing one tomorrow and dont want to make an expensive mistake

well, i bought it !!! Its the double of Ed Martins , was that genuine ? Mine is very light in weight and like Ed's , highly detailed.
Cheers for help
Steve

pic

2

3

4 Sorry about pics , happy to try again if needed. I did note that fakes seem to have lines of pebbling on back of crossguard instead of this random patttern as on full size daggers.

Yes-that is real

Hi Z06Berlin
In the late 80s & 90s SMF 2nd pattern Luft minatures appeared on the market with all kinds of spurious etchings on the blades, I do have a theary that some one purchased a quantity of these pieces and to make them sell had a number of standard engravings done to them I do have genuine SMF minature lufts and also ones with the engraving on the same as yours. as for if yours is ALCOSO, quality length and weight are the key. It needs to be sat side by side with a genuine one to be sure, if you still need these dimentions please let me know

HAve not contributed to any of the forums for a long while now, but this post caught my eye. The mini army is 100% and is a great variation on the Horster sized pieces. This one (and the ones I have) have a much more detailed crossguard than the Horster pieces. Straighter wing etc. No ferrell on the grip? So what, it's real, and that's how these were done!! The 2ns Luft is a reproduction, and they are much heavier than the SMF originals. The quality of the SMF's cannot be copied, and they are very light (aluminium!!) The 1st Luft looks fine to me!! Good quality, and far better than the 'parts' pieces that are all around.
Hello to Andy and gailen, have not spoken to you guys about miniatures in a long while!
Andrew Gates

Picture of my miniature collection, not seen the light of day before publicly!

Beautiful grouping Andrew.

Andrew:

Amazing. Me like them much.

John

,,certainly a "sleeper" photo here Andrew!
nice!