Swiss 1943 Dagger

[Aragorn243]

I've known about these for a few years now but as they aren't bayonets I didn't pay them much attention. But I had some extra cash and figured they weren't getting any cheaper. Located one on Ebay which appears to be WWII - 1945 manufacture based on a five digit, less than 30,000 serial number. It's coming from Switzerland so it will be a while before I have it in hand. Beautiful looking knives, ceremonial rather than functional.

Any information on them would be appreciated as Guisan was apparently the expert and he's no longer with us.

Information

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[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Had my eye on those for some time. Kind of like the Finnish & No 5 bayos above my cost threshold. I probably should suck it up & pull the trigger.

[browningautorifle]

Attachment 69130

Are these the ones? They look like they were made on the bayonet line...

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Thats the ones I am refering to.Quite elegant. I think Boker makes some repos of a similar design.

[Aragorn243]

Yes, that's the one. I shopped all over for them and anyone who has them is asking over $300 and they are all out of stock. There's a guy on ebay who keeps putting them up for $179-$189. He had three up this past week. They all sold. He hasn't listed any new ones yet and the cheapest now is $250.

If I got one, I wanted a WWII production if possible and the one I bought is confirmed as a 1945 production so I'm happy.

Two kinds of cords, white for officers and red and white for NCO's. I didn't care so much on that but mine has the Officers cord, just like the one in the above photo.

They are expensive, but like I said, they aren't getting any cheaper, figured I better bite before they disappear for good.

There are some discussions about them on the Swiss boards. Guisan used to sell them off there, made a lot of guys happy.

[Aragorn243]

Dagger arrived yesterday. Beautiful looking piece. Has some dings, etc but overall I'm pleased. Will get some photos up as soon as I get some time. It is quite a bit smaller than the bayonets so not using the same blade which it does kind of look like. I'll post a side by side also. Heading to PA Sportsman's Show today. Might see a few milsurps there but they are usually very expensive. There is a guy there that "restores" them and quadruples the price. I don't quite get it but I guess he has people that buy them.

[browningautorifle]

I don't quite get it but I guess he has people that buy them.

Uninformed and comparative rarity likely.

[Aragorn243]

Photos: It looks a lot nicer in real life. Photos really magnify every spec of dirt, dent, etc. There are some wear marks on the handle and some marks on the pommel but the blade looks real clean.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Very nice! I'm off to ebay.

[Aragorn243]

Checked ebay, no bargains to be had at the moment. I'd keep watching. Can't believe I got one of the last three from the guy in Switzerland. Maybe he went on vacation.