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.
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.
A craftsmen wouldn’t be damaging it, they’d be modifying it to make it more useful to you.
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.
The eagle as a symbol predates the nazis - a lot. The „Reichsadler“ has been used since 800 A.D. as in the region that is now Germany:
The Reichsadler, i. e. the German Imperial Eagle, originated from a proto-heraldic emblem that was believed to have been used by Charlemagne, the first Frankish ruler whom the Pope crowned as Holy Roman Emperor in AD 800, and derived ultimately from the Aquila, i. e. eagle standard, of the ancient Roman army.
Edit: of course the Nazis twisted this as well. To decide, if the eagle has to go, we need more details:
During Nazi rule, a stylised eagle combined with the Nazi swastika was made the national emblem (Hoheitszeichen) by order of Adolf Hitler in 1935.
Despite its medieval origin, the term “Reichsadler” in common English understanding is mostly associated with this specific Nazi-era version. The Nazi Party had used a very similar symbol for itself, called the Parteiadler (“Party’s eagle”). These two insignia can be distinguished as the Reichsadler looks to its right shoulder whereas the Parteiadler looks to its left shoulder.
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, I missed that part. Just trash it, then.
Oh, so it’s not actually Nazi memorabilia, just gross fanart. Melt it down.
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.
Does MTG know that it’s missing from her house yet?
Melt it down and cast it the metal into a buttplug.
Simply the only solution
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.
I would auction it off and then take the proceeds and give it to an organization that is dedicated to fighting fascism.
The only problem is that would likely lead to an actual Nazi getting it.
I’d rather fall on the blade than give it to a Nazi.
I think it’s better to take the Nazi’s money and use it for good. YMMV. Whatever you do will be fine, I’m sure.
Would that be so bad, though? The Nazi wastes money on a useless decorative blade and you get to take some money from a Nazi that might otherwise have gone to something worse.
Maybe a theatre is interested in it as requisite for a play.
I concur with the dremel approach. Grind the shenanigans off and proceed as usual. Bonus spitepoints if you do antifa logo or something.
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
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.
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.
Get a label maker and add a label saying “aquired by killing a nazi” (there’s probably something cooler/nicer than a label, like engraving it, and there’s probably a better way to word it too)
Loot
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.
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.
I’m really curious how you got it.
Forgetabilia
If it’s an artefact you may be able to turn it in to a reputable museum to get it off your hands
Watch It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia S01E06
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