Germany, Kriegsmarine. An Officer’s Dress Dagger, by Carl Eickhorn

(Kriegsmarine Dolch für Offiziere). A Kriegsmarine Officer’s dress dagger, measuring 41.5 cm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 25 cm-long, nickel-plated, magnetic steel blade which retains factory-original sharpening to the tip. Dual narrow fullers run the majority of the length of each side of the blade, which also bears double-sided, acid-etched imagery consisting of central fouled anchors flanked by arabesque latticework and serpentine imagery. The reverse ricasso bears a maker’s mark of “ORIGINAL EICKHORN, SOLINGEN”, topped by the firm’s classic squirrel logo. The blade sits securely within a gilded bronze crossguard which bears double-sided central fouled anchors, with an intact black leather buffer pad covering the seam. A functional push-button set into the reverse of the crossguard connects to a clip which emanates from the blade’s ricasso to release the scabbard lock. A single piece of ribbed off-white celluloid composes the handle grip, with the ribbing retaining an original twisted and rolled bronze wire cord. The dagger culminates in a gilded bronze pommel consisting of a German national eagle perched on top of a wreathed mobile swastika, screwing in to maintain the dagger’s structural integrity. Wrapped around the crossguard and pommel is a matching portepee, consisting of a stylized silver aluminum wire acorn suspended from a cord of identical construction. Accompanying the dagger is its original scabbard, constructed of a gilded bronze shaft with etched imagery distributed around the outer circumference. Dual integral oak leaf bands situated just below the throat retain loops for the accommodation of a hanger. A functional catch situated within the throat locks onto the blade’s clip for secure storage. Issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include some running marks to the blade, discolouration and scratching to the handle grip, and significant material fatigue to the portepee. The dagger remains in a better than very fine condition.