I own a long dagger/short sword. The hilt is in the design of the German eagle with its wings spread out as the hand guard and in the middle of the hand guard is a swastika. The scabbard is also adorned with swastikas on the top, mid section, and bottom.
I don’t want to own this piece as I don’t want to be seen as a Nazi sympathizer or anything of the sort, but I don’t want to sell it to someone who actually is a Nazi sympathizer or something like that.
What do I do with it besides trash it? I don’t want to trash it because it’s decent quality. It’s not historic in any way (which disturbs me to think about) but it’s well made.
What can I do with it?
*The item in question is not historical
If it’s not of historic significance? Modify it.
Know anyone who does metal work? Ask them to change it to something interesting.
Got a Dremel? Buff away the Nazi bits until it’s smooth metal.
There are lots of different ways to change it!
And if you know anyone who does leather work, they can remove or replace the nasty bits on the scabbard.
Seconding the dremmel approach. Worst case scenario: You destroy a nazi sword. Best case: You end up with with a cool denazified sword.
Grind down the swastika, and change to a smaller grit to get a nice and polished finish.
Not sure, but I think the eagle predates the nazis.
EDIT: Nope, the eagle is also a nazi and needs a dremel. There, that’s gotta be a brand new sentence.
EDIT2: Seems to be one of the many symbols that have been hijacked by nazis. Keep at your own risk.
This is probably what I’m gonna end up doing.
I was just hoping someone could come up with something that wouldn’t involve damaging anything? Idk I don’t want to damage it but I don’t want it to exist 😅
It’s already damaged with all of that Nazi shit, you would be fixing it by removing it all.
Donate it to a museum.
It belongs in a museum!
Maybe it’s sonething a museum would be interested on?
I doubt that. As I said it’s not historical. It was made within the last two decades so I don’t see a museum being interested.
Oh, so it’s not actually Nazi memorabilia, just gross fanart. Melt it down.
Oh, I missed that part. Just trash it, then.
Oh yeah, so it’s just junk.
If it were actually from WWII, I’d say there’s no reason not to hold on to a piece of history, but if it’s just neo-nazi garbage? I agree with the others saying modify it or toss it.
My only other thought besides destroying it: maybe gift it to a theater so it can be used as a prop? There are plays that focus on nazis/neo-nazis (e.g. The Producers) so maybe they could get some use out of it?
It was made within the last two decades
In that case, destroy it and drop it into a scrap metal recycling bin.
Does MTG know that it’s missing from her house yet?
If it’s an artefact you may be able to turn it in to a reputable museum to get it off your hands
I concur with the dremel approach. Grind the shenanigans off and proceed as usual. Bonus spitepoints if you do antifa logo or something.
They could just draw three arrows on top of the swastika
Since it’s not genuine, I’d just destroy it. I think real historical artifacts have their place in museums for educational purposes. Reproduction Nazi memorabilia isn’t worth shit.
It wasn’t clear to me from the post that it isn’t genuine. I interpreted the post to mean that it wasn’t famous in some way, just a standard issue dagger, but that it wasn’t a reproduction.
I mean, the only person who would want it is a nazi…
If you knew a blacksmith they might smelt it, but I don’t even know if that would be a waste of money/effort for them. Maybe one would do it for the symbolism? Same for a scrap recycling place.
Just break it and throw it away
It was made within the last two decades
decent quality
Are you sure about that? I mean, maybe you’re a person who’s way more into blades than I am, but a regular person would be hard pressed to differentiate between a “quality” blade and a “mall ninja shit” blade.
It’s definitely well constructed when it comes to actual use. I’ve used it for test cutting before and it’s held up just fine. It wouldn’t be useful for defense but it would function as a dagger/short sword.
And I’m no expert but I studied machining and metalworking in school so I know good steel.
melt it down and turn it into some anti-fascist art.
Put sockets in it and insert some gems to give it properties like fire damage or life steal.
Forgetabilia
Maybe a theatre is interested in it as requisite for a play.
I have a similar item that I don’t want to display but also don’t want to get rid of - I inherited it from my grandfather who got it by killing a Nazi.
How do I keep the memory of an item that represents killing Nazis to me without it looking sympathetic? Defacing the symbols might be the right way
It may be worth calling a few reputable museums to ask if they are interested in it. You could retain ownership while they display it, and that way you share the story of your grandfather without giving away the thing he left you.
Get a display case and put a note with the story on it. That way it’s clear its being kept from historical/sentimental value and not because you like Nazis.
Frame it with an engraving telling the story. That’s an awesome piece of history to have, but you would definitely need to display it in some way that immediately communicates “this is historical”.
I don’t think you need to deface it. You could even display it if you’re so inclined. Just make it clear to people who see it that you aren’t a Nazi sympathizer in the same way you’ve done here and you’ll be fine.
That’s an interesting question and wonder what most would say. There’s a story behind yours that’s rooted in world history and obviously affected your family. IMO, you’re allowed to keep it without looking sympathetic.
Stab a Nazi with it.
