A Kriegsmarine Officer’s Dagger by Carl Eickhorn

A Kriegsmarine Officer’s Dagger of outstanding workmanship by Carl Eickhorn, Solingen; measuring 424 mm with the scabbard on, this dagger features a very well preserved unsharpened 250 mm nickel-plated magnetic steel blade; with a semi-sharp tip. The blade’s reverse ricasso is maker marked “Carl Eickhorn, Solingen” with the company’s later designed squirrel insignia. The blade exhibits a beautifully engraved ornate naval design on both sides with miniscule scratches common to extraction and return to the scabbard, with a double-edged diamond cross section with double blood grooves in the centre on both sides of the blade. The thin brown felt blade washer remains fully intact and attached to the dagger. The fittings are brass, bearing an anchor design on both sides of the crossguard, with a blade release button on the maker marked side of the dagger. The pumpkin-coloured celluloid grip shows minimal fading from age, but is overall very well preserved without cracks or significant signs of wear, complemented by seven rows of wrapped twisted brass wire. The pommel exhibits a detailed Naval eagle standing on a wreathed swastika, with moderate surface and gilt wear on the wings. The ornately-designed scabbard exhibits contact wear near the bottom with multiple small dents and surface wear on the body from active use. The throat is held firmly in place by two non-period screws, with the body having two bands displaying the traditional oak leaf design with thick dagger hanger rings; matching Kriegsmarine dagger portepee; fabricated from fine aluminum bullion wire; the head in multiple rows of innate twisted wires; the centre of the head in loops matching embroidery; the stem in a thatched design; with long fine aluminum wire cord tightly wound around the scabbard and pommel of the dagger; with considerable wear on multiple spots from use and age; overall extremely fine condition. (C:49)