Germany, Imperial. An Imperial Navy Officer’s Dress Dagger

(Kaiserliche Marine Dolch für Offiziere). A well-preserved Imperial German Navy Officer’s dress dagger, measuring 40 cm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 24 cm-long, nickel-plated, magnetic steel dagger which retains factory-original sharpening to both the edges and tip. Dual narrow fullers run the majority of the length of each side of the blade, which also bears acid-etched imagery consisting of ships and anchors interspersed with arabesque latticework. It sits securely within a gilded brass crossguard which bears double-sided central fouled anchors, with the obverse insert with a functional push button connecting to a clip which emanates from the ricasso to release the scabbard lock. A single piece of ribbed, lacquered, and white painted wood composes the handle grip, with the ribbing retaining an original twisted and rolled bronze wire cord. The dagger culminates with a gilded bronze pommel in the form of a German State Crown, which screws in to maintain the dagger’s structural integrity. Wrapped around the crossguard is a matching portepee, consisting of a stylized silver aluminum wire acorn suspended from a cord of identical construction. Accompanying the dagger is its original scabbard constructed of a gilded bronze shaft. Two integral oak leaf bands situated just below the throat retain loops for the accommodation of a hanger. A functional catch within the throat firmly locks onto the blade’s clip. Issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include running marks and minor tarnishing to the blade, some scratching of the handle grip, and material fatigue of the portepee. This late-period Imperial dagger remains in a better than very fine condition.