Germany, SS. A NPEA Student’s Dagger

(NPEA Dolch für Schüler). A rare NPEA student’s dagger, measuring 365 mm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 222 mm-long magnetic steel blade with a sharpened tip and edges. Acid-etched onto the obverse of the blade is an inscription of “MEHR SEIN ALS SCHEINEN” (“BE MORE THAN YOU APPEAR”) in Fraktur script. The reverse ricasso bears a distributor mark of “KARL BERGSMÜLLER, BERLIN-CHARLOTTENBURG”. It sits firmly within a silver-plated alloy crossguard, marked on both the top and bottom with four notches. Engraved onto the obverse of the crossguard are owner’s initials of “H. N.” in Fraktur script. A single piece of polished dark wood comprises the handle grip, presenting with a smooth curvature for a comfortable grip. It completes with a silver-plated alloy lower crossguard, similarly marked with eight notches, secured together with a rounded pommel nut which maintains the dagger’s structural integrity. It is accompanied by its period original scabbard, constructed of an olive-drab painted magnetic metal shaft. A downward-pointing hook emanates from the side of the shaft and connects to an original brown leather frog, itself tightly stitched into a belt loop. The throat of the scabbard retains a functional spring catch, securely holding the dagger in place during storage, held together by a single side rivet. Issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include running marks and minor oxidation to the blade, some loss of finish to the silver-plated elements, the possible replacement of the handle grip indicated by spatial inconsistencies with the crossguards, loss of scabbard paint, and friction which renders insertion and extraction of the blade difficult. This rare dagger is in an overall very fine condition.