Germany, Heer. An Officer’s Dress Dagger, With Postwar Storage Case And Cap Eagle, By Stöcker & Co.

(Heer Offiziersdolch mit Etui und Mützenadler). An extremely well-preserved Heer Officer’s dress dagger, measuring 40 cm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 26 cm-long, nickel-plated, magnetic steel blade with a sharpened tip and edges. The blade is plain with the exception of a maker’s logo near the reverse ricasso for the firm of Stöcker & Co., Solingen. It sits securely within a nickel-plated crossguard, the obverse of which bears a raised Wehrmacht eagle clutching a wreathed mobile swastika, with the seam covered by an intact black leather buffer pad. A single piece of ribbed brown celluloid comprises the handle grip, while the dagger completes with a rounded and flattened pommel, decorated around the outer circumference with raised oak leaves, which screws in to maintain the dagger’s structural integrity. Wrapped around the crossguard and pommel is a fully-intact portepee, consisting of a stylized silver aluminum wire acorn suspended from a strap of identical construction. The dagger is accompanied by its original scabbard, constructed of a pebbled magnetic metal shaft. The upper third of the shaft features two integral oak leaf bands, both completing with loops for suspension from a hanger. The throat retains a functional spring catch, firmly holding the dagger in place during storage. With only slight running marks and tarnishing to the blade and nickel-plated features, respectively, it remains in an extremely fine condition.

The dagger is accompanied by an NSDAP/Government-style cap eagle, constructed of cupal. The reverse retains all three attachment prongs, and is marked with a Reichszeugmeisterei (RZM) logo and maker code of “M1/16” for Dr. Franke & Co., Lüdenscheid. Measuring 65 mm (w) x 33 mm (h), the eagle demonstrates loss of its silver finish and is in a very fine condition.

Both the dagger and eagle are concealed within a custom-fitted, shadow box-style, postwar storage case, constructed of a black-painted wooden frame. Featuring an intact glass face, the lid opens with a dual swivel hinge to reveal a padded and slotted bed, covered in an intact black rayon liner. Measuring 40 cm (w) x 40 cm (l) x 5.5 cm (h), the case demonstrates minor loss of paint, as well as the loss of a snap button formerly fastening the lid closed. It is in a very fine condition.