Germany, RAD. A Leader’s Dagger, by Carl Eickhorn

(Reichsarbeitsdienst Dolch für Führer). An extremely well-preserved Reichsarbeitsdienst (RAD) Leader’s Dagger, measuring 40 cm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 27 cm-long, nickel-plated, magnetic steel blade with a slight curvature and with a sharpened tip and lower edge. A narrow fuller runs approximately two-thirds of the length of the top edge of each side of the blade. Acid-etched onto the obverse is an inscription of “ARBEIT ADELT” (“LABOUR ENNOBLES”), while the reverse ricasso bears 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 nickel-silver hilt, with the obverse of the crossguard bearing a central raised RAD insignia. Two pieces of off-white celluloid comprise the handle grip, secured in place with a single rivet. The pommel takes the form of a detailed, double-sided eagle’s head. Accompanying the dagger is its original scabbard, constructed of a nickel-plated magnetic metal shaft. The mid-section is pebbled, and is flanked at both the top and bottom by wheat stalks, with additional ribbed and knotted designs set just below the throat. Emanating from the upper third of the shaft are dual loops for the accommodation of a hanger. The throat retains a functional spring catch to firmly hold the dagger in place during storage. Issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include some running marks to the blade, loss of nickel plating to the hilt, and a consistent patina throughout the scabbard. A high-quality example, the dagger remains in a near extremely fine condition.