RAD Daggers

This page's last update: January 27, 2012

RAD Leader Daggers

RAD-88 Kroneck RAD Leader Dagger
Here's a beautiful piece! I just love how the silvered finish ages on these... and RAD daggers are definitely one of my personal favorites of the period. The Kroneck marked blade on this one is awesome! The motto and maker mark are perfectly executed and provide a beautiful contrast to the factory matte finished blade! The tip on this is perfect! And it is nicely fit into the grip. The blade rates an easy Exc++/NM. There is some very minor spotting and witness marks from the runners. The scabbard has nicely patinaed matching the crossguard and hilt. The scabbard body remains beautifully detailed and dent free! Both throat retaining screws remain intact and unplayed with. The reverse of the scabbard is hand scratched reading: "L. Simon" . The crossguard and hilt are nicely detailed. I really love the way the eagle head looks! The reverse of the crossguard is also personalized reading: "LS" The grip plates are perfect! Now that is hard to come across. This is a beautiful piece and should be in your collection! Overall this piece rates Exc++.
$2395 HOLD(pdp)

RAD-87 Eickhorn RAD Leader Dagger
Here's a nicely burnished example at a great price! The unmarked blade rates Exc+. The Eickhorn maker mark is perfect with the black matte etch! The maker mark provides a nice dark contrast against the bright blade! There is age grey/spotting and scratches throughout. The motto looks good. There is no sharpening, oxidization or nicks to the edge of the blade. The scabbard has nicely patinaed matching the crossguard and hilt. The scabbard body remains dent free and both throat retaining screws remain intact. The crossguard and hilt are nicely detailed. See how the obverse crossguard has shielded the scabbard from patina and there remains a "shadow"? I really love the way the eagle head looks! The grip plates are well worn with cracks and it has a large chip to its back. The dark burnishing to the finish will really make for a great display! A decent piece a great price! Rates Exc+
$1750

RAD-83 Ed Wusthof RAD Leader Dagger
Honest piece here! The blade has age grey/clouding throughout and some spotting/oxidization as well as evidence that it's been cleaned. There is however no sharpening or nicks to the edge of the blade, the motto and maker mark are good and the tip is perfect. The blade rates Exc. The hilt is nickel plated and has lost some of its plating over time. The head is starting to bubble as 99.9% of these are pot metal based. The reverse of the crossguard appears to have the initials "W R" Scratched into it. The reverse grip plate have some scratches/cracks, the obverse is fine. All of the screws are intact. The scabbard has some age and a bit of plating bubbling toward the bottom as well as a dent to the lower reverse. There is dark burnishing to the engraved details the make the pattern really pop. Rated Exc/Exc+
$1695

RAD-84 RAD Leader Dagger
Here's a real nice example at a great price! The unmarked blade is Exc++/NM with just a bit of spotting There is no sharpening or nicks to the edge of the blade, the motto is nice and dark and the tip is perfect. The hilt is nickel plated with better than 99% finish intact and had aged with a nice blue hue that only time can give. The reverse grip plate have some flakes at the very bottom. All of the screws are intact. The scabbard has some wear but is dent-free and there is beautiful bluing to the pebbling. There is great dark burnishing to the finish which makes for a great display. Rated Exc++
$2500

RAD-86 Personalized RAD Leader by Gottlieb Hammesfahr
This piece is awesome! If you are looking for a beauty RAD Leader this is the one for you! The blade is beautiful! One of the best blade I've ever has on a RAD leader. Perfect tip, perfect fit, no age grey or oxidization, and just look at the motto and maker mark. stunning! The blade rates NM. The scabbard is awesome! It has patinaed so nicely. I'm sure this thing say in a drawer somewhere for a few decades, look how there is a "shadow" behind the crossguard and to the reverse where the silver plating was protected from the air. Look at the very bright silver around the top of the scabbard and how that contrasts with the blue/black tones elsewhere, that's where the factory lacquer remains! You gotta love it! It has a bit of bubbling near the throat but remains dent-free and it is Jeweller personalized to the reverse! The reverse of the scabbard has been reads "AN" which also matches the reverse of the crossguard! Both throat retaining screws remain intact and unturned. The crossguard and hilt are lightly worn in the high areas, but has excellent detail! And look at the eagle's head. The beautiful ivory toned grip plates look great! There is one hairline crack to the left edge of the obverse plate. There is one screw holding the grip plates and it remains unturned. If I sound excited it's because I am. I am really going to enjoy looking at this piece! Overall this piece rate NM
Layaway (jj)

RAD Hewer Daggers

RAD-5052 E. Pack RAD Dagger
Here's one with some character! The blade rates an Exc. The dark matte motto and marker marks look great! And provide a nice contrast to the blade. There is some heavy age grey and spotting throughout, along with one flea bite to the cutting edge. The blade shows no sharpening, oxidization or pitting. The scabbard is an early one with a worn anodized finish. There are two small spots of oxidization to the scabbard body, yet it remains dent free. The early nickel fittings have a couple minor bruises throughout but show excellent detail. All of the original screws remain intact. The crossguard and hilt plating has worn over time, leaving spots where its zinc base is revealed. The handle has wonderful stag grips that are in perfect condition! One of the screws retaining the grip plates is a replacement. Nope not mint, but these were one of the few German daggers that were considered to be field equipment, as opposed to a dress item. That is why so often you see these banged up. Overall this one rates Exc
$850

RAD-71 Personalized Eickhorn RAD Hewer
Early small oval Eickhorn marker marked blade shows no sharpening, no nicks, and no pitting. Nice matte black motto. Overall in Exc++/NM condition. Scabbard-is an early one with a worn anodized finish, there is some minor oxidizing, small scratches to the surface and a minor impressing you can find with your finger. Early nickel fittings have nice dark silver patinaed finish. There are a couple minor bruises to the very bottom but not bad. As well there is minor evidence of wear to the hi spots on the reverse were the scabbard rubbed on the uniform in wear. The scabbard throat is stamped "FU887". All original screws are intact. The handle has wonderful stag grips that have beautifully aged to a dark orange. The reverse crossguard is stamped "FU1027". The question that comes to mind is: "Why do the scabbard and crossguard numbers not match?". I believe that they were switched at some point during the period. I say during the period because all the patina matches here, these have obviously been together for years and years! One must keep in mind that often these hewers were unit owned, and not owned by individuals. They were removed from wear after use and returned to the unit. These were one of the few German daggers that were considered to be field equipment, as opposed to a dress item. That is why so many times you see them banged up and sharpened. Returning the "right" blade to the "right" scabbard was often ignored. This is evidenced by the many mismatched pieces out there today. This one likely was later assumed or purchased from the unit by the owner, I say that because it has been wonderfully Jeweller engraved, "WP". Overall rates Exc++
$1395

Why not complete your dagger with a hanger?