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

 (Kriegsmarine Dolch für Offiziere). A well-preserved Kriegsmarine Officer’s dress dagger, measuring 42 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, and with dual narrow fullers running the majority of the length of each side. Acid-etched imagery is visible on both sides of the blade, and consists of central fouled anchors flanked by arabesque latticework and serpentine designs. The reverse ricasso bears a maker’s mark of “ORIGINAL EICKHORN, SOLINGEN”, surrounding the firm’s classic logo of a squirrel clutching a sword. The blade sits securely within a gilded brass crossguard, bearing double-sided central fouled anchors, with an intact brown wool buffer pad covering the seam. A functional push-button set into the reverse of the crossguard connects to a clip which emanates from the ricasso to release the scabbard lock. A single piece of ribbed off-white celluloid composes the handle grip, with the ribbing retaining a twisted and rolled wire cord. The dagger culminates with a gilded brass pommel in the form of a German national eagle perched on top of a wreathed mobile swastika, screwing in to maintain the dagger’s structural integrity. Accompanying the dagger is its original scabbard, constructed of a gilded brass shaft with etched designs distributed around the outer circumference. Two integral oak leaf bands situated just below the throat retain loops for the inclusion of a hanger. A functional catch within the throat holds the dagger in place during storage. Minor issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include some running marks and tarnishing to the blade and a small crack to the reverse of the handle. It remains in a near extremely fine condition.