Germany, DDR. An East German Army Officer’s Dirk, with Case

(Offiziersdolch mit Etui). An extremely well-preserved East German Army Officer’s dirk, measuring 400 mm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 255 mm-long magnetic metal blade with a sharpened tip and unsharpened edges. Dual fullers run down each side of the blade, which is plain with the exception of a serial number near the reverse ricasso of “02514”. It sits securely within a gilded bronze crossguard, each end of which completes in a stylized acorn. The seam of the crossguard is covered by an intact light brown leather buffer pad. A function push-button spring button connected to a stud emanating from the lower part of the blade, securely locking the dagger to the scabbard during storage. The handle is composed of a single piece of ribbed white celluloid, completing in a rounded gilt pommel. It is accompanied by its period original scabbard, constructed of a blackened magnetic metal shaft, with polished gilded bronze fixtures at each end. The throat fixture features dual integral loops for attachment to a hanger, and bears raised obverse insignia in the form of a National Peoples’ Army (NVA) logo and oak leaf. It is accompanied by a period original hanger, constructed of two strips of dark blue wool, the obverse of each bearing machine-embroidered golden-yellow tresses with blue bands. Each strap completes in a functional gilded bronze spring catch and is adjusted by functional buckles of identical construction. They are suspended from dual loops, also with a functional spring catch, similarly constructed of gilded bronze. An additional dark blue wool and golden-yellow embroidered strap with a bronze loop facilitates suspension. The dirk is accompanied by its period original presentation case, constructed of a wooden frame with a faux red leather exterior. The interior features a blue wool lid liner and intact hinge cover, with a slotted bed of identical construction. It opens with dual functional magnetic metal snap buttons and a functional magnetic metal hinge. Unmarked, the case measures 440 mm (w) x 170 mm (l) x 50 mm (h). Minor loss of finish is evident to the gilt features of the dirk, but this complete set is in an overall extremely fine condition.