Germany, Heer. A Memorial Dress Dagger to Oberleutnant Horst Draeger, Aufklärungsabteilung 328

(Heer Gedenkdolch). A rare and exquisite Heer memorial dress dagger, measuring 400 mm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 260 mm-long polished magnetic steel blade with a sharpened tip and semi-sharpened edge. Acid-etched onto the obverse of the blade is a fine acid-etched inscription of “OBERLEUTNANT DRAEGER - ADJUTANT DER AUFKLÄRUNGSABTEILUNG 328 - IN AUSÜBUNG SEINES DIENSTES ALS SCHWADRONFÜHRER GETÖTET AN DER DONETZ AM 23. AUGUST 1943” (“OBERLEUTNANT DRAEGER - ADJUTANT OF AUFKLÄRUNGSABTEILUNG 328 - KILLED IN THE EXERCISE OF HIS SERVICE AS SQUADRON LEADER ON THE DONETS ON 23 AUGUST 1943). The inscription is flanked on both sides by acid-etched arabesques, while the reverse ricasso bears a maker’s mark of “ORIGINAL EICKHORN, SOLINGEN”, circumscribing the firm’s classic logo of a squirrel clutching a sword. The blade sits firmly within a nickel-silver plated crossguard, with the seam covered by a fully intact black leather buffer pad. A detailed Wehrmacht eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika decorates the obverse of the crossguard, while a ring of identical construction facilitates the transition into the handle, fully adorned around the circumference with raised oak leaves. The handle grip is composed of a single piece of ribbed light brown celluloid. Completing the dagger is a rounded nickel-silver plated pommel, also decorated around the outer circumference with raised oak leaves. The dagger is accompanied by its period original scabbard, constructed of a pebbled magnetic metal shaft. Dual integral bands surround the upper third of the shaft, are decorated with raised oak leaves, and each complete in a loop for the accommodation of a hanger. The throat is secured together with a single side rivet and retains a functional spring catch, securely holding the dagger in place during storage. The dagger displays slight running marks to the blade and scratching of the handle grip. This unique and attributed Heer memorial dress dagger is in an overall extremely fine condition.

 Footnote: Files from the German War Graves Commission and German Federal Archives confirm that Oberleutnant Horst Draeger of Aufklärungsabteilung 328 matches the description of the fallen soldier provided on the dagger’s dedication.