Germany, Kriegsmarine. An Officer’s Dagger

(Kriegsmarine Offiziersdolch). A Kriegsmarine Officer’s dagger, measuring 420 mm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 255 mm-long polished magnetic steel blade with a sharpened tip and semi-sharpened edges. Dual central fullers are set into each side and extend approximately two-thirds of the blade’s length. It is fully unmarked, and sits securely within a bronze upper crossguard, bearing a central raised fouled anchor on each side. Set into the obverse of the crossguard is a push button connecting to a spring-release catch emanating from the blade’s ricasso, securely locking the dagger onto the scabbard during storage. The handle grip is composed of a single piece of ribbed off-white celluloid, with the ribbing’s original wire wrap having been lost to time. It completes with a stylized pommel consisting of a German national eagle perched on top of a wreathed mobile swastika, securely screwing in place to maintain the dagger’s structural integrity. It is accompanied by its period original scabbard, constructed of bronzed magnetic metal. The shaft is decorated with etched designs, and bears two integral oak leaf bands near the upper third, in turn connecting to loops for suspension from a dagger hanger. Dual side rivets secure the throat together, with a functional clip meeting the dagger’s catch. In addition to the missing handle wrap, a layer of chrome has been applied to the scabbard postwar, and there is some oxidation of the bronze and metal features. The dagger is in an overall fair condition.