Germany, Heer. An Officer’s Dress Dagger, with Hanger, by F.W. Höller

(Heer Dolch für Offizier mit Gehänge). An extremely well-preserved Heer Officer’s dress dagger, measuring 39 cm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 26 cm-long, nickel-plated, magnetic steel blade with gently sharpened tip and edges. The blade is plain with the exception of a maker’s mark on the reverse ricasso of “F.W. HÖLLER, SOLINGEN”, circumscribing the firm’s classic thermometer logo (with 17 ticks). The blade sits securely within a nickel-plated crossguard, the obverse of which bears a raised Wehrmacht eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, with the seam covered by an intact black leather buffer pad. The handle grip is composed of a single piece of ribbed off-white celluloid, and the dagger completes with a rounded pommel bearing raised oak leaves around the outer circumference, screwing in to maintain the dagger’s structural integrity. It is accompanied by its original scabbard, constructed of a pebbled magnetic metal shaft. The upper third of the shaft has dual integral oak leaf bands with loops for the accommodation of a hanger. The throat retains a functional spring catch to firmly hold the dagger in place during storage. Minor issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include slight running marks to the blade, scratching of the handle grip, and a consistent patina throughout the nickel-silver and metal elements. It remains in an extremely fine condition.

It is also accompanied by a matching hanger, consisting of a silvered zink alloy buckle from which two field-grey doeskin straps descend. Each strap is topped by a silver aluminum wire tresse and is adjusted with a functional silvered zink buckle. The straps culminate in functional silvered zink spring clips for uniform suspension. Unmarked, the hanger measures 27 cm in total length as presented. The zink features demonstrate loss of finish, but the hanger remains in a near extremely fine condition.