Germany, Third Reich. A Rare Land Customs Officials Dagger, with Hanger, by F.W. Höller

(Zolldienst Dolch mit Anhänger). A rare and well-preserved Land Customs official’s dagger, measuring 42 cm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 25.5 cm-long nickel-plated magnetic steel blade with a sharpened tip and edges. The blade is plain with the exception of a maker’s mark on the obverse ricasso reading “F.W. HÖLLER, SOLINGEN”, circumscribing the firm’s thermometer logo. It sits securely within a nickel-plated crossguard which bears a raised German national eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika on the obverse, with the seam covered by an intact black leather buffer pad. The handle grip is composed of a single strip of boiled and ribbed dark green leather, with the ribbing retaining a period original twisted and rolled bronze wire cord. The dagger completes with a rounded pommel, decorated along the outer circumference with raised oak leaves, screwing in to maintain the dagger’s structural integrity. Wrapped around the crossguard and handle is an original matching portepee, consisting of a stylized silver aluminum wire acorn highlighted with green threading, descending from a cord of identical construction. It is accompanied by its period original scabbard, constructed of a magnetic metal shaft wrapped in a boiled dark green leather liner. Nickel-silver fittings are secured to the tip, mid-section, and throat with side rivets. The latter two feature integral loops for the accommodation of a hanger. The throat also retains a functional spring catch, firmly holding the dagger in place during storage. It is accompanied by a matching hanger, constructed of two dark green doeskin wool straps topped on the obverse with silver aluminum wire tresses, in turn trimmed with dark green threaded bands. Each strap descends from an aluminum loop, featuring a functional aluminum buckle presenting as an oval oak leaf wreath, and completes with a functional silvered zink spring clip for attachment to the scabbard’s loops. Minor issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include some running marks and tarnishing to the blade, loss of finish to the nickel-plated elements, wear of the handle and scabbard leather, and some fatigue to the portepee. This rare and complete Land Customs official’s dagger set is in an overall better than very fine condition.