Gentlemen,

Do I have to consider this Anton Wingen JR knife as a Transitional or as a RZM?

Any input is more than welcome.

Greetings

Herr Mann

Reverse

I don't know of any hard and fast rules but I would say transitional. The way I catergorize is maker mark only, some type of maker mark and RZM numbers and only RZM. You see also of Arthur Evertz with the RZM number on reverse and Evertz on obverse ricasso.

Russ, I have an Evertz with AES in a box, RZM M7/85 all on the obverse ricasso. Peculiar? regards, teufel

I have seen many of these and about half are dated. Is your dated? Russ

I don't think that anyone has ever tried to put an official definition to "Transitional". The term was first applied to SA/SS daggers whose trademarks had both the RZM code and a maker's mark.

The original thought - which turned out to be 100% wrong - was that makers were allowed to use both their trademark AND their newly-assigned RZM code to transition loyal clients into plain RZM codes.

Actually, RZM codes began to be used in 1934 (On SS daggers, anyway) and the "transitional codes" are mostly 1938 or 1939.

So were are stuck with that nomenclature. HJ daggers show more variety than most daggers , but I would propose that "transitional" mean any knife that has both an RZM code and a makers mark - either spelled out or as an image.

Thoughts ?

Dave

Dave:
I think you've accurately explained how the term "Transitional" came about. However it's been in use like "anodized scabbard" for so long were pretty much stuck with it even though we now know it's incorrect.
Jim

Russ, no date, teufel