eBay Score

[Swordfish]

Every now and then there are still opportunities on ebay.

I was able to score this later, Eickhorn 1716 Roon varient, hand worked oak leaves, and wehrmacht eagle, closed winged. I don't currently have this particular version of the Roon if you can believe it. This now will formally complete the Eickhorn Roon set in which there are 3 distinct patterns. I know there are some hybrid Roons from Eickhorn, but I largely consider them obscure, and not critical to both complete the field marshal series, but also finish the Roon sub-collecting goal.

The blade, hilt assembly, grip and so on appear to rate excellent-excellent+. The best part is I took her home for $250. The aluminum, tri layered, double woven grip wire is not in great shape, but will be a VERY easy fix for me, using period lengths of aluminum grip wire. She should look minty once I replace the grip wire. Because of the broken grip wire, it kept buyers and collectors away. For me, it was a great opportunity to add this saber at 50-60% below retail. Damaged pieces, even very benignly damaged pieces like this one, turn alot of collectors off. If it had say a chip in the grip, I would have passed. Celluloid/bakealite grip chips and cracks are quite simple to effect, however I just don't want to do it if I have other opportunities. It blows my mind. This is a nice, later varient, that drew little attention and competitions. However, then there's there really crumby, bad shaped Alcoso 119 that sold about 2 months ago for nearly $700. Mind boggling. All the same, better for me.

Attached is a photo from the seller. I'll repost it once I replace the grip wire, hopefully in the next to weeks. It was a nice surprise for me.:D

[Wim Vangossum]

Always interesting if you have original grip wire in spare. Nice find for no money :001_cool:

Regards, Wim :)

[Swordfish]

Replacing grip wire is a simple task, especially on a dovehead pattern. No unpeening or repeening involved. All one needs is a length of either period plain, single strand grip wire, modern jewelers quality brass or white aluminum wire, a drill to twist and create the double twisted center row, and that's it. Even with replacement with modern wire, of the same gauge, it still looks very good.

I couldn't turn this one down. The last month or two has seen some decent examples on the various auction sites. When they pop up, you've got to be ready. Cause the droughts seem to be long, and very dry the last couple years. Until about 2002, a buyer could still score, excellent complete sabers on eBay for around $200. Times have generally changed though.

[Chuck Alan]

Another great find there Tom. Please if you will, take some before and after pictures of this example when you are done and post them here. I would really like to see the completed restoration.

Yes, sad to say $250.00 doesn't go very far nowadays in this hobby, but there are exceptions like the example you show here:thumbup1:

Chuck

[Swordfish]

Thanks Chuck.

I will be sure to do so. It's a very simple fix, which many collectors are affraid to undertake. I don't advocate repairs often, but with a fix this "benign" and simple, it's a no-brainer.

Stay tuned friends,

Tom