Germany, Kriegsmarine. An Officer’s Dagger, II Pattern, by Carl Eickhorn

(Kriegsmarine Offiziersdolch). A second pattern Kriegsmarine Officer’s dagger, measuring 425 mm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 250 mm-long polished magnetic metal blade with dual narrow fullers running the length of each side. The blade bears double-sided, acid-etched designs consisting of central fouled anchors flanked by arabesque and serpentine imagery. A maker’s mark is also etched onto the reverse ricasso, reading “ORIGINAL EICKHORN, SOLINGEN”, circumscribing the firm’s classic logo of a squirrel clutching a sword. It sits securely within a gilded bronze upper crossguard, featuring central fouled anchor designs on both sides. A push-button stud emanates from the reverse of the crossguard and connects to a functional spring clip set into the reverse ricasso, locking the dagger onto its scabbard. Wrapped around the crossguard is a period original portepee, constructed of multiple rows of twisted and rolled silver aluminum wire culminating in a stylized acorn of identical construction. The handle grip is composed of a single piece of ribbed white celluloid, wrapped in a twisted bronze cord. It completes with a stylized gilded bronze pommel presenting as a German national eagle perched atop a wreathed mobile swastika. The dagger is accompanied by its original scabbard, constructed of a gilded and polished bronze shaft with etched designs throughout the exterior. The upper third of the shaft features dual integral rings, presenting with raised oak leaf designs, each completing with a loop for the accommodation of a dagger hanger. The throat retains a functional spring catch meeting the analogous clip emanating from the dagger, securely holding the dagger in place during storage, and is held together with dual side rivets. Issues consistent with age and use are evident, and including oxidation and running marks to the blade, extensive oxidation to the portepee, and oxidation and loss of finish throughout the bronze features. The dagger is in an overall fair condition.