Germany, Kriegsmarine. An Officer’s Dress Dagger, by Weyersberg, Kirschbaum & Cie

(Kriegsmarine Dolch für Offiziere). A Kriegsmarine Officer’s dress dagger, measuring 415 mm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 235 mm-long polished magnetic steel blade with a sharpened tip and unspoiled edges, with dual fullers running approximately two-thirds the length of each side. It bears a maker’s mark near the reverse ricasso of a knight’s helmet, indicating manufacture by the firm of Weyersberg, Kirschbaum & Cie of Solingen. It completes with a hollow channel formerly accommodating a locking clip for scabbard attachment. It sits securely within a gilded bronze upper crossguard, each side of which bears a central raised fouled anchor, with the seam covered by an intact white wool buffer pad. The handle grip is composed of a single piece of ribbed white celluloid, wrapped in an original gold bullion wire cord. It completes with a pommel nut in the form of a German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, securely screwing in to maintain the dagger’s structural integrity. Wrapped around the crossguard and lower handle is a period original portepee, consisting of a stylized acorn constructed of silver aluminum wire suspended from a cord of identical construction. It is accompanied by its period original scabbard, constructed of gilded bronze and presenting with etched designs around the circumference. The upper third of the shaft bears two integral bands in the form of ropes, both connecting to integral loops for suspension from a dagger hanger. The throat is secured together with dual side rivets and retains a catch to meet the dagger’s former spring clip. The scabbard completes with a stamped number of “229” located at the throat. In addition to the absence of the latter, the dagger demonstrates further condition issues, including wear of the handle grip, deterioration of the portepee, and minor loss of finish to the metal features. Additionally, as the crossguard lacks a slot for the push button spring catch release, it is possible that either it or the blade are replacement pieces. It is in an overall fair condition.