A Kriegsmarine Naval Officer’s Dagger

A Kriegsmarine “Offiziersdolch”; measuring 415 mm with the scabbard on, featuring a beautifully preserved 251 mm long nickel-plated magnetic steel blade, exhibiting its bright shine, with minimal spotting, and only the slightest runner marks common to the extraction and return of the blade to the scabbard. It is unsharpened with a slightly dulled tip. The blade is not maker marked with the red felt washer fully preserved and tightly fastened to the crossguard. The crossguard is constructed of brass, bearing a fouled anchor on both sides, a fully functional blade release button, with an acanthus leaf on both sides of the quillion arms. The grip is constructed of beautifully preserved ivory coloured celluloid, with seven rows of tightly wrapped brass wire in the creases of the grip. The pommel exhibits a nicely detailed Naval eagle standing upon a wreathed swastika, with the gilt very well preserved, but with traces of cleaning putty residue in the creases of the swastika (Hakenkreuz). The ornately-designed scabbard exhibits multiple lightning bolts with a detailed pattern of rows of palmettes, with oak leaf fittings that hold two dagger hanger loops in place. The throat of the scabbard is tightly held in place by two period-original screws. The scabbard also depicts some light putty residue from being cleaned. The dagger is accompanied by an officer’s pommel constructed of tightly wound celluloid mesh head, wrapped around a twisted wire knot, with a full length chord. Overall this dagger shows some light signs of wear, but in overall better than very fine condition.