Germany, Heer. A Heer Officer’s Dagger, by Weyersberg, Kirschbaum & Co.

(Heer Offiziersdolch). A very well-preserved Heer Officer’s dagger, measuring 400 mm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 265 mm-long magnetic metal blade with a sharpened tip and semi-sharpened edges. The blade presents plain with the exception of a maker’s mark near the reverse ricasso of “WKC, SOLINGEN” for the firm of Weyersberg, Kirschbaum & Co., topped by the company’s classic knight’s helmet logo. The blade sits securely within a silvered zink alloy upper crossguard, with the seam covered by an intact brown leather buffer pad. The obverse of the crossguard features a finely-detailed Wehrmacht eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika. A single piece of ribbed brown celluloid comprises the handle grip, with the ribbing retaining an intact non-ferrous wire cord wrapping. It completes with a rounded and silvered zink alloy pommel, bearing raised oak leaves around the circumference, which screws in to securely maintain the overall structure. Wrapped around the crossguard is a period original portepee, constructed of multiple rows of twisted and rolled silver aluminum wire and consisting of a stylized acord suspended from a strap of identical construction. The dagger is accompanied by its period original scabbard, constructed of a pebbled magnetic metal shaft. The upper quarter of the shaft features two integrated bands with raised oak leaf designs, each completing in a loop for the accommodation of a dagger hanger. The throat is secured together with a single side rivet and retains a functional spring catch, securely holding the dagger in place during storage. While very well-preserved, it displays some issues consistent with age and use, including oxidation and loss of finish to the zink alloy features, some loosening of the handle’s wire cord, and minor tarnishing of the scabbard. It is in an overall near extremely fine condition.