Germany, Third Reich. A German Hunting Association Gaujägermeister Presentation Dagger, with Award Folder, to General Curt Freiherr von Gienanth

(Deutsches Jägerschaft Dolch für Gaujägermeister mit Verleihungsurkunde). A rare and striking Deutsches Jägerschaft (German Hunting Association/DJ) Gaujägermeister presentation dagger awarded to General der Kavallerie Curt Ludwig Freiherr von Gienanth, measuring 54.5 cm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 41 cm-long polished magnetic steel blade with a sharpened tip and lower edge. Acid-etched onto the obverse of the blade is an intricate design consisting of a central bullseye target, topped by a stag’s head and above hunting imagery consisting of a crossed rifle and sabre with a canteen. It is in turn surrounded by arabesque and forestry-themed designs. The reverse of the blade features additional acid-etched forestry- and hunting-themed imagery executed with similar precision. The reverse ricasso also bears a maker’s mark of “CARL JULIUS KREBS, SOLINGEN”, circumscribing the firm’s logo. It sits within a nickel-plated crossguard taking the form of dual acorns, with the seam covered by an intact dark green wool buffer pad. The obverse of the crossguard features a clamshell-style decoration which features a central Deutscher Schützen-Verband (German Shooting Association) insignia, constructed of silvered and enameled bronze, and set within a semi-oval laurel and oak leaf wreath. The handle grip is composed of a single piece of ribbed and marbled celluloid, with the obverse bearing a crossed rifle insignia. It completes with a flattened and rounded pommel with a protruding stud with a slot for tightening and loosening as required. The dagger is accompanied by its period original scabbard, constructed of a pressed black leather shaft securely closed together by heavy stitching along the seam. Magnetic metal fixtures are fastened to both the tip and throat with staple rivets. The throat features an engraved dedication of “FREIH. V. GIENANTH, ZUR ERINNERUNG ALS GAU JÄGERMEISTER, 1. 2. 35, DER VORSTAND DES DEUTSCHEN SCHÜTZEN VERBANDES”, with a protruding stud for the accommodation of a frog. The structure of the dagger has loosened throughout the crossguard and handle, and the scabbard does not fit flush with the base of the blade, but the dagger demonstrates no damage or wear and remains in a near extremely fine condition. It is accompanied by an award folder, constructed of a large card stock binding with a field-grey canvas exterior liner. The cover bearing a silvered and embossed German Hunting Association insignia. The interior of the cover is pasted with a studio portrait of von Gienanth in a DJ uniform, with an NSDAP membership badge clearly visible. Measuring 102 mm (w) x 150 mm (h), the portrait is pasted to a card stock backer bearing a raised Kaiserslautern studio mark in the lower right corner. The opposite side features an exceptionally-detailed black ink award document. Topped by a depiction of a herd of deer in a forest and flanked by a DJ insignia, the document features a dedication to von Gienanth in his capacity as Gaujägermeister of Jagdgau (Hunting District) Pfalz-Saar, closing with a date of “1. 2. 35.” and notably featuring the handwritten signature of Hermann Göring in his capacity as Reichsjägermeister (Reich Master of the Hunt). It measures 37.5 cm (w) x 48 cm (h). Demonstrating only minor discolouration consistent with age and storage, the binder is in an overall extremely fine condition. Footnote: Curt Ludwig Freiherr von Gienanth was born on 6 December 1876 in Eisenberg, Germany. He joined Garde-Dragoner-Regiment (1. Großherzoglich Hessisches) Nr. 23 as a cadet on 23 March 1896, rising through the ranks of various cavalry units before joining 1. Kavallerie-Division as a Staff Officer. He held various assignments, culminating in a posting to Constantinople (Istanbul) as a member of the German Military Commission to the Ottoman Empire. He remained in Reichswehr service with cavalry units throughout the 1920s and 1930s, before being officially recalled to Wehrmacht service and appointed as Commander of Fortress Breslau. He was withdrawn from active service on 1 October 1942 and transferred to the Führerreserve, before officially being demobilized on 30 June 1943. For his wartime service, von Gienanth was a recipient of the German Cross in Silver. He survived the war and died in Heidelberg on 3 April 1961.