Germany, Kriegsmarine. An Officer’s Dress Dagger, with Dedications, to Kapitän zur See Theodor Kynass

(Kriegsmarine Dolch für Offiziere). An interesting Kriegsmarine Officer’s dress dagger, measuring 42 cm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 25.5 cm-long, nickel-plated, magnetic steel blade which retains factory-original sharpening to the tip. Notably, the obverse of the blade bears a hand-etched dedication reading “KYNASS, KAPITÄN Z. SEE (W), KOMMANDANT DES ART. ARS. DRONTHEIM”, indicating ownership by Kapitän zur See Theodor Kynass, whose promotion to this rank came on 1 February 1944, and who held command of Marine-Artillerie-Arsenal (Naval Artillery Arsenal) Drontheim from November 1942 until May 1945. Appropriately, the ricasso similarly bears an etched inscription of “KRIEGS-JAHRE 1942-1945” (“WAR YEARS 1942-1945”). The blade sits securely within a gilded bronze crossguard which bears double-sided central fouled anchors, while a red wool buffer pad covers the seam. Inset into the reverse of the crossguard is a functional push button connecting to a clip which emanates from the blade’s ricasso to release the scabbard lock. The handle consists of a wooden core fully lined on the exterior with ribbed dark blue Moroccan leather, with the ribbing retaining an original twisted and rolled bronze wire cord. Completing the dagger is a gilded bronze 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 gilded bronze shaft with etched designs distributed around the outer circumference. Dual rope rings are set into the upper third of the shaft, each retaining a loop for the accommodation of a hanger. The throat retains a catch to lock onto the blade’s clip. Issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include some running marks and loss of nickel plating to the blade, tarnishing of the bronze fixtures, minor fatigue of the handle grip, and some loosening of the scabbard lock which compromises its proper functionality. An owner-attributed example demonstrating direct personal modification, the dagger remains in a better than very fine condition.