Yank,
Third Reich daggers are a field of collecting that have far, far more (and more exact) fakery than Lugers. Some of the same manufacturers who made them pre-1945 are making them today and using the same machines and dies. Unless you have a great deal of faith, extensive knowledge (perhaps that should be encyclopedic knowledge) or an extremely big checkbook, you would be well served by being very, very careful. My experience in the 1960s was that the fakes were *exceptionally good*; they have gotten much better in the intervening years.
Having said all that, should you wish to jump in this swamp, there are some extremely reputable collectors and dealers. You should be advised that the original, unmessed with stuff is far from inexpensive..I typically pay around $2000-2500 for a provenanced Imperial Navy dagger and between $700-2000 for Weimar/III Reich Daggers, depending on condition, provenance and other factors.
Pls contact me off forum and I will share some sources names.
Tom A.
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