Germany, Kriegsmarine. An Officer’s Dress Dagger, by Weyersberg, Kirschbaum & Cie

(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 factory-original sharpening to both the edges and tip. Dual narrow fullers run the majority of the length of each side of the blade. The obverse ricasso is maker marked with the classic knight’s helmet logo of Weyersberg, Kirschbaum & Cie, Solingen. The blade sits securely within a gilded brass crossguard, bearing double-sided central fouled anchors, with a replacement leather buffer pad covering the seam. Inset into the reverse of the crossguard is a functional push-button release connecting to a clip which emanates from the ricasso to release the scabbard lock. A single piece of ribbed off-white celluloid composes the handle grip, with the ribbing retaining an original twisted and rolled brass wire cord. The dagger culminates in a gilded brass pommel in the form of a German national eagle perched on top of a wreathed mobile swastika, screwing on to maintain the dagger’s structural integrity. Accompanying the dagger is its original scabbard, constructed of a gilded brass shaft with etched imagery distributed around the outer circumference. Dual integral oak leaf bands are situated just below the throat and retain loops for the accommodation of a hanger. A functional catch within the throat firmly holds the dagger in place during storage. Issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include some running marks and tarnishing to the blade, loss of finish to the brass fixtures, and possible replacement of the pommel with some loosening of the hilt. The dagger remains in a very fine condition.