Germany, Heer. A Complete Officer’s Dress Dagger, By Carl Julius Krebs

(Heer Offiziersdolch). A well-preserved Heer Officer’s dress dagger, measuring 400 mm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 260 mm-long polished magnetic steel blade with a sharpened tip and sharpened edges. The blade presents plain with the exception of a maker’s mark near the reverse ricasso of “CARL JULIUS KREBS, SOLINGEN”, circumscribing the firm’s crowned monogram logo. It sits securely within a nickel-plated zink alloy upper crossguard, the obverse of which presents with a raised Wehrmacht eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika. The seam where the blade meets the crossguard is covered by an intact brown leather buffer pad. A narrow nickel-plated ring, bearing raised oak leaves along the circumference, transitions into a handle grip consisting of a single piece of ribbed light brown celluloid. Completing the dagger is a rounded pommel, also bearing raised oak leaves around the exterior. It is accompanied by its original scabbard, constructed of a pebbled magnetic metal shaft. Dual integrated rings with oak leaf designs are set into the upper third of the shaft, each retaining a loop for the accommodation of a dagger hanger. The throat retains a functional spring catch, securely holding the dagger in place during storage, and is held in place with dual side rivets. It is accompanied by an original manufacturer’s label, constructed of paper and bearing a double-sided Krebs mark, measuring 26 mm (w) x 34 mm (h). Issue consistent with age and use are evident, including some loosening of the dagger structure and slight loss of finish to the plated features, with the pommel unscrewing to reveal the application of glue. The pommel consequently does not screw securely into place. It is in an overall very fine condition.

The dagger is accompanied by a hanger, consisting of two field-grey velvet straps affixed to an aluminum clasp. The obverse of each strap is adorned with a machine-embroidered silver aluminum wire tresse. Each strap completes in a functional silvered zink spring clip, meeting the analogous loops on the dagger. Decorative aluminum buckles bearing raised oak leaves adjust the length of each strap. The hanger is unmarked and measures 270 mm in total length as presented. It is in an overall near extremely fine condition.

Also accompanying the dagger is a period original portepee, consisting of a stylized acorn constructed of multiple rows of twisted and rolled silver aluminum wire, suspended from a cord of identical construction. It is unmarked and measures 200 mm in length as presented. Notably, it is accompanied by its original cellophane package of issue, bearing an exterior inscription of “DOLCHPORTEPEE AUF ALUMINIUMGESPINST” (“DAGGER PORTEPEE IN ALUMINUM WIRE”) an a Heeres-Kleiderkasse mark. It is in an overall near mint condition.