Germany, TeNo. A Rare Officer’s Dagger, with Hanger, by Carl Eickhorn

(TeNo Offiziersdolch). A rare Technische Nothilfe (Technical Emergency Help/TeNo) Officer’s dagger, measuring 43 cm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 28 cm-long nickel-plated magnetic steel blade with a sharpened tip and edges. The reverse ricasso bears a maker’s mark of “ORIGINAL EICKHORN, SOLINGEN”, circumscribing the firm’s logo of a squirrel clutching a sword, in turn topped by a German national eagle clutching a TeNo insignia. Stamped onto the obverse ricasso is an issue number of “0393”. It sits securely within a nickel-plated alloy crossguard, with the obverse bearing a detailed German national eagle clutching a TeNo insignia, the latter partially obscuring the blade’s number, with a black leather buffer pad covering the seam. The handle grip is composed of a single piece of ribbed light brown celluloid. It completes with a rounded pommel, bearing double-sided cogwheels, which screws in to maintain the dagger’s structural integrity. It is accompanied by its period original scabbard, constructed of a pebbled magnetic metal shaft. The upper third of the shaft features dual integral bands culminating in loops for the accommodation of a hanger, while the throat retains a functional spring catch to firmly hold the dagger in place during storage. Notably, the throat is stamped with a matching issue number of “0393”. The set is also accompanied by a matching hanger, consisting of two black leather straps suspended from an aluminum buckle. Each strap is adjusted with a functional aluminum buckle, and retains functional spring clips to lock onto the scabbard’s loops. Issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include oxidation and running marks to the blade, loss of finish to the nickel-plated features, loosening of the pommel and handle grip, and moderate material fatigue to the hanger. This rare and matching TeNo Officer’s dagger set is in a very fine condition.