wardaggers.com - German Army Dagger Crossguard Makers Reference

GERMAN ARMY - HEER DAGGER CROSSGUARD IDENTIFICATION PAGE
" You no more win a war than you can win an earthquake " Jeanette Rankin


Below is a pictorial reference guide to aid in identifying the correct manufacturer for your German army dagger, each maker during the years of production starting in 1935 used one or more type of eagle design incorporated into the cross-guard. Today, these are recognisable for each manufacturer and can be used to determine if the configuration of parts on your German army dagger is correct for a maker marked dagger. I have tried to select cross-guards with the finest detail in order to make life easier and these are listed in order of manufacture by each maker. Please contact me if you require help or have any concerns and also if you can assist with any of designs I am missing. Please note, this reference is my interpretation of design order by manufacturer and is open to debate and also that several firms are known to have utilised parts from other manufacturers. This page should be used as a guide and not as a definitive resource.............unless you are a purist!. In order to use the zoom function please allow the " blocked content " by right clicking the Internet Explorer pop up located at the top of the page.
Descriptions updated and in progress 18/3/2010
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GENERIC TYPE A	GENERIC TYPE B


SIMILAR TO : WKC 3rd - This guard will be seen on the majority of daggers produced by the smaller companies who did not make their own. Notice the step down from the forehead to the beak not observed on the hatchet type head of the WKC eagle. Observed in all base metals and finishes, it was introduced relatively late in the period and it should not be found on early daggers. A few of the smaller companies such as Fridericus, Buchel and Tiger purchased these Generic parts and yet fitted their daggers with additional cost upgrades such as a glass or ivory grip, as well as etched and Damast blades to set their products apart from other manufacturers.	SIMILAR TO : Wingen 2nd & Herder - This eagle was taken from a design by the Wingen company and is observed on daggers by virtually all makers with the exception of the larger companies. Almost identical to the Herder produced crossguard but with a discreet dip from brow to beak. The three crossguards are easily confused and it is common for an obviously early production dagger to be described as having this Generic B part, in many cases it will in fact be Herder or Wingen. It is important to assess all of the fittings in order to correctly determine the German daggers origin.

ALCOSO
ALCOSO 1ST	ALCOSO 2ND

SIMILAR TO : Holler 1st - Easily distinguished by the "chicken fillet" type legs, squat body of the eagle and the low neck line. The swas on the early ACS daggers is normally deformed or mishapen, and the beak is round in appearance compared with the squared beak of the Holler 1st. Alcoso also fixed many of the pommels in place after assembly on all models, so care should be taken when trying to disassemble a dagger that has never been apart. This crossguard should normally be matched with an early slanted grip and sometimes with hand enhancing or chiseling to the pommel and eagle.	SIMILAR TO : NONE - Sharp angle to the lower wing, head of the eagle level with top of the guard and a sharp down-turned beak. The wing shape is a tell tale sign of Alcoso marked daggers due to the dramatic rise and very pointed wing tips. Also the head of the eagle on this design is inline with the upper edge of the cross-guard. The later 2 types utilised by Alcoso should be matched with the typical flared pommel, easily recognisable as an ACS dagger, the 1st and 2nd styles normally have early 14 leaf pommels. This 2nd pattern crossguard is rarely encountered due to the short period it was in production and good detailed examples are hard to find.
ALCOSO 3RD	ALCOSO 4TH - HI LIFT

SIMILAR TO : Eickhorn 1st - Note the gentle upward curve of the final section of the wing in comparison to the Eickhorn, smaller eye detail, an outward slope to the lower beak and a rounder body to name a few. The 3rd style was prone to wear due to the inferior base metal utilised. Some early Alcoso German army daggers have been observed with crossguards made of a magnetic base metal, possibly a steel or iron based alloy and may account for the loss of detailing over time. It is believed the base metal was brass coated before receiving its final silver plating and has been observed on the 2nd & 3rd style eagles.	SIMILAR TO : NONE - Recognisable by the raised outward profile of the eagle ( HIGH LIFT ), unique feathering to the rear of the head and the appearance of the flared legs. It is also the only German army dagger crossguard to exhibit feathering that raises above the upper wing. Many collectors consider this design to be the most pleasing to the eye of all the patterns utilised during the period and although sometimes found with lightweight cheaper base metal alternatives produced later in the war it remains a highly sought after design. Many believe the grips that accompany this late war design should be white only, I am afraid I am not one of them. Also note the box section to the lower wreath.....unique.

CARL EICKHORN
EICKHORN 1ST	EICKHORN 2ND

SIMILAR TO : Eickhorn 2nd - On all 3 designs by Eickhorn you can visually see the progression of one eagle to the next. This early guard is rarely encountered and although similar to the 2nd design there are differences to the legs, size of the swastika and breast feathering. The quillions are also noticeably thinner. This type was also heavily hand enhanced so variations will exist. Early examples utilising the 1st and sometimes the 2nd pattern will occasionally be found with C.E. stamped onto the blade tang, with plated or polished blades and slant grip German army daggers by Carl Eickhorn are extremely rare. Courtesy of the V.B collection.	SIMILAR TO : Alcoso 3rd & Horster 4th - Normally seen cast in brass base-metal with fittings to match and silver plated. Similar to Horsters last design but with differences to the cut of the breast feathering and body shape and sharpness to the rear of the head. The second pattern was more widely used on the earlier daggers by Eickhorn, and is sometimes wrongly attributed the title of the type 1. This Carl Eickhorn crossguard differs from the 1st in that the swastika has a thinner neater stamped appearance, the inverted "V" between the eagles legs has gone and the wreath is crisper with a much sharper design.
EICKHORN 3RD	EICKHORN 4TH

SIMILAR TO : Eickhorn 2nd - The head of the previous pattern Eickhorn crossguards was carried over into the third design but with the addition of a wider stockier body and enhanced breast feathering, again this design was only used for a short period and can be classed as rare. Note, on this design by Carl Eickhorn the general detailing is normally very crisp and with the higher body and wider pattern to the feathering means it is far less susceptible to wear and tear. Courtesy of the V.B collection.	SIMILAR TO : Eickhorn 3rd - The final design and by far the most numerous, and bears the addition of another head design, added to the body carried over from the previous design. This bird is more commonly known as the type 2, which we now know to be wrong and should in fact be the type 4. The body height has been reduced and is more squat and rounded bringing the eagles head down and central to the upper arms of the eagles wings. The pencil like appearance of the legs has gone and most daggers by Eickhorn with this crossguard will have the flat scabbard bands and ferrule.

E. PACK & SOHNE
E-PACK 1ST	E-PACK 2ND

SIMILAR TO : Heller & Henckels - Early 1st style pack normally observed with thick silvering and brass base material, the head has a unique shape and notice how high the inverted "V" between the eagles legs rises into the body. Commonly seen with heavy hand enhancing and observed on many early daggers by the smaller cottage manufacturers who purchased their parts from Pack. This pattern was probably the most widely used crossguard on early daggers by any maker and although many lack fine detail, it was also one of the most widely used and chiseled or enhanced.	SIMILAR TO : NONE - The crossguard shown above, I believe is a new undocumented variation from E-Pack and was possibly only used for a short time or as a transitional pattern between the Pack 1st and 3rd. It can be found on some early slant grip Pack army daggers bearing the earliest trademark and differs from E-Packs 1st recognised pattern with differences to the body weave pattern, lower leg feathering, and head shape. The wreath, swastika and wings are almost identical to the Pack 1st. This crossguard can also be found on early slant grip daggers by Spitzer.
E-PACK 3RD	E-PACK GENERIC

SIMILAR TO : Holler 2nd - Made of lightweight base metal but still observed with hand enhancing late into the period. Very similar to the Holler 2nd who are thought to have purchased from a sub-contractor and modified to suit, there are differences in the wreath work, breast feathering and beak shape. The Holler variation nearly always has a circular punched eye, compared to the highly detailed eye on the Pack. Although this pattern was cast and produced later in the period they can also be found with hand enhancing which is a testament to E-Packs attention to detail and quality of product throughout the period. A few rare examples of this design have been found in satin aluminum with no evidence of ever being silver plated, this unique finish can sometimes be mistaken on later Pack crossguards that originally utilised an aluminum base alloy, silver plated, that has been lost to time.	SIMILAR TO : NONE - This example by E-Pack was known as a generic type and was used or purchased by several other German dagger makers of aluminum hilted early army daggers. This variety of fittings by one of the most desirable makers, makes the aluminum type dagger the most sought after German army dagger, by advanced army dagger collectors Worldwide. Some later produced army daggers utilizing pot metal or aluminum base metals are sometimes mistaken for this specific type of crossguard due to the loss or absortion of the silver plating. Originals have the typical brushed aluminum appearance and were never silver plated. Similar in design to the 3rd pattern standard Pack crossguard there are enough differences for it to be considered unique.

HERDER	HELLER & HENCKELS


SIMILAR TO : Generic B & Wingen 2nd - The differences between these three styles of crossguard is marginal and confusing on eagles with little or no crisp detailing. The body structure on the Herder is slightly more upright than the generic B and there is no dip between upper head and beak. It sometimes will require magnification to be sure. Herder and Wingen also had a preference for nickel plating their daggers which can sometimes be used to differentiate from the Generic B variety. The Herder, Wingen and Generic B crossguards, in my opnion are the hardest to distinguish if the dagger is not maker marked.	SIMILAR TO : E-Pack 1st - Heller, Henckels and E-Pack undoubtedly used the same early crossguard template and adopted their own style of hand enhancing or mould to determine some form of individuality. In many cases both the Heller / Henckels and E-Pack crossguards appear to be identical and although listed in Wittmanns army book as a unique pattern, many advanced collectors believe them to be one in the same. Note the circular punched eye, enhanced wing feathering unusually to the spline of the wing and breast enhancement visible on both patterns. The Heller army dagger was only produced early in the period with a quality nickel plated blade and are highly desirable today due to the limited production and quality of materials used.

F. W. HOLLER
HOLLER 1ST	HOLLER 2ND

SIMILAR TO : Alcoso 1st - As with most early examples this German crossguard by Holler is normally seen made of a heavy base metal and heavily silver plated. The 1st pattern Holler bears a resemblance to the Alcoso 1st. Some early Hollers show a crescent moon tool mark on the head to the right of the eye and is a sure sign of Holler production. Courtesy of the V.B. Collection.	SIMILAR TO : E-Pack 2nd - A scarce and rarely observed crossguard that originally must have come from the same source as the E-Pack 2nd. Normally seen with a more defined cross pattern to the breast area and a rounder or stubbier look to the head and beak. Holler was a quality dagger manufacturer and all designs normally show a thick silver content in the plating. See notes below!.
HOLLER 3RD

SIMILAR TO : NONE - The 3rd pattern Holler is the style normally seen on German army daggers produced by this manufacturer. The appearance is unique and the detail normally stands up well with little or no wear. The head shape and parrot like beak are dead give-aways as is the broad ^ shaped feathering above the legs. It is not known to have been used by any other manufacturer during the 4-5 years that this template was produced, and any German army dagger displaying this crossguard, not plain bladed or maker marked Holler should be viewed with caution. It can be found on daggers with and without a tapered blade tang and some blades display crossgrain running down the central portion of the blade rather than across it, another characteristic unique to Holler.	NOTES : Holler is thought to have used the 2nd style as a transitional part and for a short time only between the 1st and 3rd style crossguard, however they returned to use it again during the late stages of the war. Either example can be considered rare and the easiest way to spot one is the circular punched eye, in comparison with the lazy eye appearance of Pack produced German army dagger. Early examples will normally have the half crescent tool mark to the rear of the head and 3 chisel marks to the neck of the eagle, as well as 2 acorns hand cut to finish off the scabbard bands. Late war examples of the 2nd pattern Holler do not have this handwork and should have a generic scabbard.

E & F HORSTER
HORSTER 1ST	HORSTER 2ND

SIMILAR TO : NONE - The body appears squat and undersized normally with heavy broad feathering to the chest area, beak is sharp downward facing, the head is large and close to the top of the guard. The feet almost appear to come straight out from the underside of the body with little evidence of legs, also early Horsters display a raised circular platform beneath the swastika unique to this maker and Klass. This stocky, pronounced eagle normally displays strong detail, and this early offering from Horster can be considered scarce. Courtesy of the V.B. Collection.	SIMILAR TO : NONE - No information found on a 2nd style Horster as stated by some sources. Occasionally some early Horsters can be found with a Herder or Wingen 2nd crossguard but I am not convinced this design was a unique in house pattern or indeed that it pre-dates the Horster 3rd. More information required!.
HORSTER 3RD	HORSTER 4TH

SIMILAR TO : NONE - This eagle is rarely encountered and is relatively easy to spot due to the birds head. It looks more like a vulture than an eagle with an oversized prominent hooked beak, the top of the head is rounded and normally bears a large punched eye. The body of the eagle has a distinct tapered appearance, with wide shoulders and a steep slope to the body profile. The majority of Horster crossguards and other fittings, will also display a stamped "H" to the underside allowing the owner to attribute a maker even if the blade is unmarked. This pattern crossguard can be classed as extremely rare and is occasionally found on some smaller cottage makers such as G.Weyersburg early in the period.	SIMILAR TO : Eickhorn 1st - The similarities between the Horster 4th & Eickhorn 1st are very close indeed as the heads are virtually identical. Look for a shorter neck, more defined chequered patterning to the breast area and the inner wing feathering showing more horizontal on the Horster. This pattern is normally found with a zinc alloy or pot metal cheap base metal and lightly silver plated, and should only be found on later production daggers. Look at the breast pattern to quickly distinguish between this Horster pattern and the Eickhorn 1st.

ROBERT KLASS
KLAAS 1ST	KLAAS 2ND

SIMILAR TO : Klaas 2nd - Both of the Klaas examples are thought to be the same, although side by side they look nothing alike the 2nd pattern was extensively hand chiselled to a very high standard, it is thought that the pattern without enhancing was earlier production which goes against the norm in regards to other manufacturers. Many Klaas crossguards will also display a raised circular platform under the swastika and is often observed on both types. Crossguards without enhancing often appear bland or flat in appearance, and the cheaper base metal used by Klaas even on the early production daggers did not help the problem. Their solution of hand enhancing may well have been an extra cost option or possibly undertaken essentially to compete with other manufacturers for early military supply contracts.	SIMILAR TO : Klaas 1st - Probably the most intricate design encountered on any German army dagger with the exception of some early Pack designs due to the high quality of the hand enhancing. The firm utilised blades with both nickel plating and the polished variety and although the nickel option would have been expensive to produce, the crossguard base metal was not and often led to lifting of the silver plating. The polished blades also can be found with the crossgrain running vertically down the blade on the central section, with the side sections showing the normal horizontal direction. As far as I am aware this practise can only be found on German army daggers by Holler and Klaas. Klaas also utilised the E-Pack crossguard onto many of its daggers along with the generic B on later examples.

SMF	SPITZER


SIMILAR TO : NONE - The SMF eagle is unique in that it is probably the ugliest of all the birds encountered on period German army daggers. The head is a very unusual shape with a downward turning mouth and a rounded hook beak. The body detailing or feathering normally extends high up the neck area into the head unlike most other cross-guard designs. Courtesy of the "daggerman's" collection.

WKC
WKC 1ST	WKC 2ND

SIMILAR TO : NONE - This early guard is sometimes seen with detailed hand enhancing, the upper head and brow area are almost square in appearance with a small sharply downward nose like beak. The half crescent moon eye is another feature typical of the 1st WKC. Although not obvious from the above picture, the wings of the eagle are very slender in appearance compared to other manufacturers.	SIMILAR TO : NONE - The 2nd WKC is rarely seen and was only recently acknowledged as a separate design by this maker. The body bears similarities to the final and more profuse hatchet head 3rd pattern but with the head displaying a pointed triangle to the rear and a drop from forehead to beak lacking on the later design. Also note the top of the head is very close to the top edge of the cross-guard.
WKC 3RD	WEYERSBURG

SIMILAR TO : Generic type A - Easily confused with the generic type, this design can be distinguished by the square profile of the head and beak without the drop from forehead to beak. Along with Eickhorn this manufacturer produced huge quantities of army daggers, with most observed with this tomahawk design and it can be found on early daggers with a tapered tang to the blade, as well as late war, pot metal plaster filled daggers. Produced in a variety of base metals and finishes and in production for a long period compared to designs from other makers, it is probably the most prolific design with the exception of the Generic types. Unusually there are few similarities between the three patterns used by WKC and the firm opted for a total re-design between each pattern.	SIMILAR TO : NONE - The Weyersburg eagle is very scarce and should only been seen on early or mid period manufactured army daggers by this maker. The head appears slightly oversized in proportion to the square sided body which normally has a coarse hand enhanced chequered patterning. The head features, eye and mouth are exquisite and highly detailed and most examples show a unique stippling to the background behind the swastika. Weyersburg used the WKC 1st crossguard on their initial production army dagger and although the pattern shown above can be found on slant daggers, it will also be found on the scarce 2nd production run in 1936 before the firm ceased production.

WINGEN
WINGEN 1ST	WINGEN 2ND

SIMILAR TO : NONE - I have yet to see this design with crisp detailing and most examples seem to be worn possibly due the early brass base metal utilised. The head has a very slight dip to a hatchet styled beak and a body that has a squared appearance and large inverted V between the legs. Also note the single oversized claw.	SIMILAR TO : Herder & Generic B - More like the Herder in design but with a more squat body and a slight dip between brow and beak. The beak appears with less of a "snarl" than both the generic and Herder designs and with straighter edges to the body sides than the generic B. All 3 can be considered unique designs but the differences are marginal.

UNKNOWN


SIMILAR TO : Klaas 2nd - Although similar in design to the German army dagger manufactured by Klaas there are enough differences in this design to consider it unique. Found with heavy hand chiseling and only on early army daggers, this design has been observed on German army daggers manufactured by Puma, Voos, Wusthof and Krebs. The feet, body enhancing and head shape are different to Klaas manufactured daggers although the template MAY be the same. Courtesy of the M.S.D. Collection.