Germany, Kriegsmarine. An Officer’s Dagger, by E. & F. Hörster

(Kriegsmarine Offiziersdolch). A Kriegsmarine Officer’s dagger, measuring 42.5 cm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 25 cm-long nickel-plated magnetic steel dagger with a sharpened tip and edges. Narrow dual fullers run approximately two-thirds of the length of each side of the blade. The blade bears double-sided acid-etched designs consisting of central fouled anchors flanked by arabesque and serpentine imagery. The obverse ricasso bears a maker’s mark of “E. U. F. HÖRSTER, SOLINGEN”, circumscribing the firm’s monogram logo. It sits securely within a gilded bronze crossguard, which bears double-sided central fouled anchors, with the seam covered by an intact brown leather buffer pad. The reverse of the crossguard is inset with a functional push-button release connecting a clip emanating from the blade’s ricasso. The handle grip is composed of a single piece of ribbed off-white celluloid, with the ribbing retaining an original twisted and rolled bronze wire cord. It completes with a pommel consisting of a gilded German national eagle perched on top of a wreathed mobile swastika, screwing in to maintain the dagger’s structural integrity. Wrapped around the crossguard and pommel is a matching portepee consisting of a stylized silver aluminum wire acorn suspended from a strap of identical construction. It is accompanied by its original scabbard, constructed of gilded bronze and bearing etched designs around the outer circumference. The upper third of the shaft has two integral oak leaf bands, each retaining a loop for the accommodation of a hanger. Dual rivets flank the throat, which retains a functional catch to lock onto the blade’s clip. Issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include some running marks to the blade, oxidation and loss of finish to the gilded metal features, and loosening of the pommel which results in incorrect placement. The dagger is in an overall very fine condition.