Germany, Kriegsmarine. An Officer’s Dress Dagger, by Clemen & Jung

(Kriegsmarine Offiziersdolch). A Kriegsmarine Officer’s dagger, measuring 42 cm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 26 cm-long nickel-plated magnetic steel blade with a sharpened tip and edges. The blade bears double-sided acid-etched designs consisting of central fouled anchors flanked by arabesques and serpentine designs. The reverse ricasso is maker marked “CLEMEN & JUNG, SOLINGEN”, while the obverse ricasso bears the firm’s coat of arms. The blade sits securely within a gilded bronze upper crossguard, which bears double-sided central fouled anchors, with the seam covered by an intact black leather buffer pad. Inset into the reverse of the crossguard is a functional push-button spring release connecting to a clip which emanates from the ricasso. The handle grip is composed of a single piece of ribbed white celluloid with a wooden core, with the ribbing retaining an original twisted and rolled bronze wire cord. It completes with a gilded bronze pommel consisting of a German national eagle perched on top of a wreathed mobile swastika, screwing in to securely maintain the dagger’s structural integrity. It is accompanied by its period original scabbard, constructed of a gilded bronze shaft with etched designs around the outer circumference. The upper third of the shaft has two integral oak leaf bands, each retaining loops for the accommodation of a hanger. The throat is flanked by dual rivets and retains a functional catch to lock onto the blade’s clip. Issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include minor running marks of the blade, tarnishing of the bronze features, and significant chipping of the celluloid handle grip. The dagger is in an overall very fine condition.