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

(Kriegsmarine Offiziersdolch). An extremely well-preserved Kriegsmarine Officer’s dress dagger, measuring 420 mm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 255 mm-long magnetic metal blade with a sharpened tip and unspoiled edges. Dual fullers run the length of each side of the blade, which also features acid-etched insignia on both the obverse and reverse. The former present identical on each side, and consist of a central fouled anchor set within serpentine and arabesque designs. The obverse ricasso features a maker’s mark of “ORIGINAL EICKHORN, SOLINGEN”, circumscribing the firm’s classic logo of a squirrel clutching a sword. The blade sits securely within a polished brass upper crossguard, featuring a central raised fouled anchor on each side, and with the seam covered by an intact brown wool buffer pad. Set into the obverse of the crossguard is a functional push-button release connecting to a catch emanating from the blade, securely locking the dagger within its scabbard during storage. A single piece of ribbed white celluloid comprises the handle grip, and retains a twisted and rolled brass cord. Completing the dagger is a brass pommel consisting of a German national eagle perched on top of a wreathed mobile swastika, which screws in to securely maintain the structure of the dagger. It is accompanied by its period original scabbard, constructed of a brass shaft etched with stylized designs around the exterior. The upper third of the shaft features dual integrated bands, consisting of raised oak leaf designs, securing in place loops for attachment to a dagger hanger. The throat is held together with dual side rivets, and locks onto the dagger’s spring catch. Minor, age-appropriate issues are evident, and include some tarnishing and loss of finish to the blade and brass features, but the dagger is in an overall near extremely fine condition.