Germany, Heer. An Officer’s Dagger by Paul Weyersberg & Co.

(Heer Dolch). This is a unique Heer (Army) officer’s dagger, which has been converted from a sword. The dagger measures 405 mm in total length, with a 275 mm-long Damascus steel blade. The obverse of the blade presents plain, while the reverse bears a partially-intact inscription and a maker’s mark near the ricasso reading “Paul Weyersberg & Co., Solingen”, circumscribing the company’s logo. The upper crossguard consists of a stylized design completing in a hooked quillon in the form of a lion’s head. The crossguard demonstrates evidence of adornments which have since been removed, with additional material added to the base of the blade and a hand-etched inscription of “WP77”. A bronze band of laurel leaves divides the crossguard from the handle, which itself is constructed of black celluloid which has been wrapped with eleven bands of twisted and rolled copper wire. The grip is completed by a decorative bronze adornment, similarly presenting as a stylized lion’s head. There is evidence that a handle guard formerly emanated from the lion’s mouth and joined with the upper crossguard. In addition to the noted modifications, there is some tarnishing of the blade, but the dagger is in an otherwise near extremely fine condition.