Germany, Heer. An Officer’s Miniature Dress Dagger, by E. & F. Hörster

(Heer Miniatur-Dolch für Offizier). A well-preserved Heer Officer’s miniature dress dagger, measuring 20 cm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 13 cm-long, nickel-plated, magnetic steel blade with a sharpened tip and edges. A maker’s mark of “E. & F. HÖRSTER, SOLINGEN” is visible on the obverse ricasso. The blade sits securely within a silvered zink alloy crossguard, the obverse of which bears a raised Wehrmacht eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika. The handle grip is composed of a single piece of ribbed white celluloid, and the dagger completes with a round pommel which bears raised oak leaves around the outer circumference. It is accompanied by its original scabbard, constructed of a pebbled silvered zink alloy shaft. The upper third of the shaft has two integral oak leaf bands for the accommodation of hanger loops which have been lost to time. The throat retains a functional spring catch to firmly hold the dagger in place during storage. Some issues consistent with age are evident, and include loosening of the structure of the hilt and loss of silver finish to the alloy fixtures. It remains in an overall very fine condition.