Hi, Is this orginal DLV dagger??

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There are some things to think about with this dagger. Specifically the multicolored scabbard & grip leather as well as the obvious seam on the reverse. It would appear the piece has been releathered or at the very least the leather has been touched up with some Meltonian navy show polish. Blade has been buffed resulting in little if any crossgrain remaining. What's with the serration of the blade edge?

Additionally the scabbard's top fitting screws look to be lower that they should be. Maybe, maybe not but I should point out there are some very good fakes of these daggers out there. Is the source a reputable seller offering a return privilege?

I agree with all Billy has said. The throat stamping is large for the dagger I think.

Mark

Not very good looking swazys, mm and pom funky looking too. for sure redone leather.Screws high on lower scab fitting.

Sorry to disagree but aside from having been re-leathered and screws replaced, I see nothing wrong with this dagger.

The leather color, grain, and seam are BAD. Definately a re-leaher job. Now I hate to have to ask this... but is this pleather? Look at picture #6 at the base of the pommel, it looks like cloth fibers just under the "leather" surface. It also looks like the upper fitting is not propperly fit to the scabbard shell, probably messed up durring the re-leather process.

Heller apparently made their own fittings for these knives because they are unique among other manufacturers, and these fittings ARE from Heller. I have also seen pieces from Heller which have the slighly lower placed fitting screws. I think this placement is fine.

I do however have a problem with the screws themsevles, they appear to be of the wrong type (lower fitting screws look OK).

Makers mark, DLV stamp, swazes, pommel, etc. all look fine to me.

I think when looking at these daggers you must compare to another dagger by the same maker, there were a lot of little subtle differences which can appear to be "bad" when a Heller is compared to an Eickhorn produced piece (for example).

Just my opinion,
Good hunting,
Johnny

PS- The serrations on the blade are just plain wierd, could this have been re-tipped and this pattern created from the grinding process? The pattern is strikingly even... wierd...

Thank you for yours opinions.
Is it worth to buy?

Johnny is far more versed on DLVs than many of us so I'd consider his observations carefully. The likelihood of a releather job on the scabbard & grip reduces a pieces value. Additionally the job done on this piece doesn't seem to be very professionally done.

That blade serration toward the tip is very odd & begs the question, has the blade been retipped or sharpened? It also appears the blade has absolutely no crossgraining left so it's likely been buffed heavily.

Even if the piece is all period, is it worth having in a collection? I'd have to say no unless you were getting it dirt cheap. Remember, you'll only have to make excuses for it over time & it will be a very hard sell if ever you find yourself looking to sell it.

I totaly agree with Johnny's observations on this piece.

This dagger is not very collectable in my opinion because:

- this is the worst releathering job that I have seen on a DLV so far!

- the blade, the part that represents most of the value in my opinion, is in poor condition.

- these daggers are not too rare, you can find immediately a much better one if you want.

Best greetings,

Herman

The "leather" looks like vinyl to me. These were all seamed at the edges never in the center. Original seams were never cut at 90 degrees rather the leather was thinned so the leather could overlap without bulging. If you look at an original dagger sean you will be amazed at the work that went into it.
Save your $ and buy a good one.