Germany, Kriegsmarine. An Officer’s Dress Dagger, by ALCOSO

(Kriegsmarine Dolch für Offiziere). A Kriegsmarine Officer’s dress dagger, measuring 42 cm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 25 cm-long, nickel-plated, magnetic steel blade which retains original sharpness to the tip. Dual narrow fullers run the majority of the length of each side of the blade, which also bears double-sided acid-etched imagery in the form of central tall ships flanked by anchors and arabesque latticework. The obverse ricasso is maker marked with the classic scale logo of ALCOSO, Solingen, indicating production by the former firm of Alexander Coppel. The blade sits securely within a gilded brass crossguard, bearing central fouled anchors, with a functional push button set into the obverse connecting to a clip which emanates from the ricasso to release the scabbard lock. An intact buffer pad covers the seam where the blade meets the crossguard. The handle grip is composed of a single piece of ribbed off-white celluloid. It culminates in a gilded brass pommel in the form of a German national eagle perched on top of a wreathed mobile swastika, screwing in to maintain the dagger’s structural integrity. Accompanying the dagger is its original scabbard, constructed of a pitted and gilded brass shaft. Two integral oak leaf bands situated just below the throat retain loops for the addition of a hanger, while a functional catch within the throat locks onto the blade’s clip. Some issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include faint running marks to the blade, the loss of the handle grip’s wire, a crack to the grip which demonstrates a period repair, and some friction to the scabbard lock button. This partially refurbished dagger remains in a very fine condition.