Germany, Kriegsmarine. An Officer’s Dagger, First Pattern, by Alcoso

(Kriegsmarine Offiziersdolch). A well-preserved, first pattern Kriegsmarine Officer’s dagger, measuring 37 cm in total length. It features a 25.5 cm-long nickel-plated magnetic steel blade with a sharpened tip and edges, and with dual narrow fullers running approximately two-thirds of the length of each side. The blade bears double-sided, acid-etched designs consisting of nautical imagery in the form of central ships and fouled anchors, flanked on each side by arabesque designs. The reverse ricasso also bears a maker’s mark of “ALCOSO” for the former firm of Alexander Coppel, Solingen. It sits securely within a gilded bronze crossguard featuring double-sided central fouled anchors. Inset into the reverse of the crossguard is a functional push-button release connecting to a clip emanating from the blade’s ricasso to facilitate removal from the dagger’s scabbard. The handle grip is composed of a single piece of ribbed black lacquered wood, with the ribbing wrapped in an original twisted and rolled bronze wire cord. The dagger completes with a rounded oak leaf pommel which screws in to maintain the dagger’s structural integrity. Wrapped around the crossguard and handle is a matching portepee consisting of a stylized silver aluminum acorn suspended from a strap of identical construction. The blade demonstrates minor running marks, some scratching is visible to the handle, minor material fatigue is visible to the portepee, and the dagger’s scabbard has been lost to time. It is in an overall near extremely fine condition.