Germany, Kriegsmarine. A Kriegsmarine Officer’s Dress Dagger By Carl Eickhorn

(Kriegsmarine Offiziersdolch). An extremely well-preserved Kriegsmarine Officer’s dress dagger, measuring 420 mm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 250-mm long magnetic metal blade with a sharpened tip and semi-sharpened edges. Both the obverse and reverse feature two fullers, overlaid by acid-etched designs consisting of a central anchor flanked by floral and serpentine designs. Near the reverse of the ricasso, the blade bears a maker’s mark of “ORIGINAL EICKHORN, SOLINGEN”, topped by the firm’s logo of a squirrel clutching a sword. The blade sits securely within the gilded bronze upper crossguard, with the seam covered by an intact black felt buffer pad. Both the obverse and reverse of the crossguard bear central raised anchors. Inset into the former is a push-button connected to a spring catch emanating from the blade, securely locking the dagger into the scabbard during storage.

The handle grip consists of a single piece of ribbed white celluloid wrapped with twisted and rolled copper wire. The dagger completes with a pommel, constructed of gilded bronze, consisting of a German national eagle perched on top of a wreathed mobile swastika. It is accompanied by its period original dagger, constructed of gilded and polished bronze, and bearing decorative etched designs throughout. The upper third of the scabbard features integrated bands, presenting as raised oak leaves, each with an integral loop and suspension ring for the accommodation of a dagger hanger. The throat retains a functional catch, and is held together by dual side rivets. Minor issues consistent with age and use are evident, including slight running marks and oxidation to the blade, loosening of the pommel fixture, and a small crack to the handle grip near the obverse ricasso. The dagger is in an overall near extremely fine condition.

Provenance Footnote: Deaccessioned from the Museum Collection of the Royal Canadian Military Institute.

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