Germany, Ordungspolizei. A Rare Water Protection Police Dress Dagger, by Alcoso

(Dolch für Offiziere der Wasserschutzpolizei). An exceptionally rare Wasserschutzpolizei (Water Protection Police) dress dagger, measuring 41 cm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 25 cm-long, nickel-plated, magnetic steel blade retaining factory-original sharpening to the tip. Dual narrow fullers run the majority of the length of each side. Intricate acid-etched designs are visible through both the obverse and reverse, and consist of nautical imagery in the form of ships and fouled anchors, flanked on each side by arabesque latticework. The reverse ricasso is maker marked with the “ALCOSO” logo of the former Solingen-based firm of Alexander Coppel. The blade sits securely within a gilded bronze crossguard, with an intact red wool buffer pad covering the seam. The obverse of the crossguard bears a central fouled anchor, while the reverse is inset with a functional push-button release connecting to a clip which emanates from the ricasso. The handle grip is composed of a ribbed wooden core wrapped in dark blue Moroccan leather. Inset into the obverse is a gilded Ordnungspolizei insignia in the form of an oval oak leaf wreath overlaid by a German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, measuring 25 mm (w) x 21 cm (h). It completes with a gilded bronze pommel in the form of a spherical stylized flame which screws 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 designs distributed throughout the outer circumference. Two integral oak leaf bands are situated at the upper third of the shaft and retain loops for suspension from a hanger. The throat features a functional catch to lock onto the blade’s clip, and is fastened together with dual side rivets. Issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include some running marks to the blade, moderate deterioration of the handle’s leather liner, material fatigue of the portpee, and moderate loss of gilt finish to the scabbard shaft which exposes the underlying metal. A scarce and desirable dagger produced by a noted manufacturer of edged weapons, this example remains in a very fine condition.