The top of the pommel has a rearing horse on a shield under a crown.

Scabbard bands are early, but not like the hands of the other Balloonman and the Heller. They run in the typical Balloonman direction. In the earlier string there was at least one scabbard like this. Tyrel I believe yours might be like this as well. What do you think?

After I posted the previous photo, I noticed that the bands appear to run in the standard army dagger direction, (right to left). I then noticed that I had accidentally photographed the back of the scabbard. It should not make any difference......

I went and checked the scabbard again. They actually run left to right in the front and right to left in the back. This is totally whacky. They change direction at the ends. I have never noticed that before on other armies. Definitely worth another photo.

All three:

I was chatting with an advanced army collector from the upper midwest. I won't say his name, because he likes to keep a low profile. (though he is welcome to jump in). He mentioned to me that stamped Hellers and Balloonman Hellers all have an E on the Tang. I checked and he is right.

Here are the two Balloonmen.

The stamped Heller is fainter, so i could not get it to come out on the same photo with the other 2.

Is this more evidence that Heller and Balloonman are the same firm.

Ford,

I love that red, yellow, and orange color combination.

Ford, what exactly would you like to see? I unfortunately can't get any more pictures for a week or so, though I do have a few saved. I've had it apart, but I dont remember the E. I wasnt looking for it though.

Tyrel

Tyrel: Your dagger is especially interesting, because its slanted grip. That fact establishes it as probably earlier than the others. We know that a couple of other Balloonman armies had scabbards like yours. It would be nice to conclude that those daggers are earlier as well. However, your shell looks more like Kevin's?????

I would like to know about the E on the tang, but mostly I would just like to see more of your dagger - just because it would be a treat. I understand about the pictures no hurry. There are weeks when I cannot even visit the forum to look.

Wow! missed some real action here over the weekend! WOTAN: Your puma scabbard pebbling is just like mine! I thought this was interesting how it looks hand applied with the overlapping circles and all! FORD: your Heller with the personalized pommel is great! And interesting in its variation from the norm. THANKS for all the great pics and info guys. By the way mine does have the "E" on its tapered tang. If I can post more pics of mine to help with any questions that develope let me know! Kevin.

Sounds good. I'll get it apart and get some good (hopefully...) photos as soon as I can.

Best,
Tyrel

By the way, is the one with the personalized pommel the same one Johnson had at the 2004(?) MAX?

Tyrel: Sound good on the Photos - they will be nice to see.

Regarding the Balloonman with the personalized pommel, all that I know is that I have had it for about a year. I did not get it from Tom Johnson, but the seller could have, as he was another collector and not a vet. I would rate the blade as a strong near mint - if that helps.

It would be great to hear from all the Balloonman and Heller folks regarding the "E" on the tang?

Kevin

Sorry, I did not acknowledge your post. It would be cool to see the tang with the E. Then maybe everyone will get into it.

I thought I would share a closeup view of the Balloonman crossguard eagle head. I have never seen a Pack eagle enhanced in quite this way. The eye is sharp and a channel has been cut down the beak so that the raptor can see straight ahead. I just love the detail of some of these guards.

Thats an impressive bird Ford! I cant say that I have seen that variation before!Nice catch! Kevin.

Thanks Kevin: The guard is why I wanted the dagger. Under most conditions it looks ordinary, but under close scrutiny and in the correct lighting, it simply comes to life. Unless another like it turns up on another maker, I am going to assume that is a modification unique to Heller.....

Mikee: Regarding the E on the tang, I went back and looked at the old string and saw that you had suggested that the E might be a unique feature to Heller. I want to recognize you for that. No one else picked up on it, including me.

Well it looks like the timing was not right for another Balloon party. Glad we didn't spend a lot on invitations......

Ford

Hello,

Sorry for my delay in jumping in the conversation here but I was finally able to upgrade to a new digital camera a couple of days ago. I wanted to wait until I could get some decent photos of my Hellers before making a post. My old camera just wasn't able to get decent closeups.

I was the previous owner of Ford's "Balloonman" with the crown and shield on the pommel. I had purchased it a couple of years ago from Tom Johnson.

I still have a couple of Hellers in my collection. One has the "Balloonman" logo while the other is the stamped version. Both of my examples have the "E" stamped on the tang as well. As observed by both Kevin and Ford I also believe this to be a unique feature on Heller blades.

Also note that the pebbling on the scabbard of my "Balloonman" example is much larger than normally seen especially when compared to the pebbling on the stamped Heller.

Doug

Here's the "E" on the tang of my "Balloonman" Heller. It has been ground down some but it is definitely an "E".

Here's the "E" on my stamped Heller.

Scabbard pebbling of the "Balloonman" Heller.

Scabbard pebbling of the stamped Heller.

"Balloonman" logo.

Stamped logo.

"Balloonman" crossguard.