Germany, Kriegsmarine. An Officer’s Dagger, by Lauterjung & Sohn

(Kriegsmarine Offiziersdolch). A well-preserved Kriegsmarine Officer’s dagger, measuring 41.5 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 obverse of the blade features an acid-etched design consisting of a central fouled anchor flanked by arabesques, while the reverse bears a central ship similarly flanked by arabesques. The reverse bears a maker’s mark of “PUMA” for the firm of Lauterjung & Sohn, Solingen, topped by the firm’s classic puma head logo. It sits securely within a gilded bronze crossguard, which bears double-sided central fouled anchors, with the seam covered by a partially-intact wool buffer pad. The reverse of the crossguard is inset with a functional push-button release for a spring clip which emanates from the dagger’s ricasso. The handle grip is composed of a single piece of ribbed off-white celluloid, with the ribbing retaining a period original twisted and rolled bronze wire cord. It completes with a gilded pommel consisting of a German national eagle situated 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 a gilded bronze shaft with 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. The throat is secured together with dual side rivets. Minor issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include some tarnishing of the blade, verdigris to the bronze elements, and the scabbard throat locking mechanism no longer functions. The dagger is in an overall near extremely fine condition.