A German Naval Officer's Dagger by Carl Eickhorn; Named to Hans Stephan

Measuring 417 mm, with the scabbard on, this dagger features a 250 mm nickel-plated steel blade, with unsharpened edges, remaining bright and crisp, with a semi-sharp tip. The blade's reverse ricasso is maker marked Carl Eickhorn, Solingen with the company's later designed stylized squirrel insignia and is engraved with the name "Hans Stephan" between the squirrel insignia and the blade release catch. The blade itself exhibits a beautifully engraved ornate naval design on both sides, faint scratches overall, common to extraction and return to the scabbard, with scattered surface wear, exhibiting a natural shine, better than very fine. The thin brown felt blade washer remains intact. The fittings are brass, bearing an anchor on both sides of the crossguard, with a blade release button. The ivory coloured celluloid grip is smooth, very lightly contacted, with one short hairline crack where it butts the pommel, complemented by seven rows of tightly wrapped twisted brass wire. The pommel exhibits a nice-detailed Naval eagle standing upon a wreathed swastika, with moderate surface and gilt wear evident, the dagger measuring 382 mm in length overall. The ornately-designed scabbard exhibits contact overall, with multiple dents, contact marks and surface wear on the body from active use. The throat is held firmly in place by two screws, the body having two bands displaying the traditional oak leaf design with thick dagger hanger rings, engraved on the reverse with the name "Hans Stephan" on an angle between the two oak leaf bands, measuring 283 mm in length. Dagger exhibits outstanding workmanship, very fine.