Germany, Kriegsmarine. An Officer’s Dress Dagger, by Lauterjung & Sohn

(Kriegsmarine Dolch für Offiziere). A well-preserved Kriegsmarine Officer’s dress dagger, measuring 41.5 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 the tip. Dual narrow fullers run the majority of the length of each side of the blade, which also featured double-sided, acid-etched imagery, consisting of a ship and fouled anchor flanked by arabesque latticework. The obverse ricasso is maker marked with the classic “PUMA” logo of the firm of Lauterjung & Sohn, Solingen. It sits securely within a multi-piece hilt, with an intact wool buffer pad covering the seam. A gilded bronze crossguard features double-sided central fouled anchors, with a functional push-button release inset into the obverse, in turn connecting to a clip which emanates from the blade’s ricasso to release the scabbard lock. A single piece of ribbed off-white celluloid comprises the handle grip, with the ribbing retaining an original twisted and rolled wire cord. The dagger completes with a gilded bronze pommel consisting of a German national eagle perched on top of a wreathed mobile swastika, screwing in to maintain the dagger’s structural integrity. It is accompanied by its original scabbard, constructed of gilded bronze with etched designs distributed around the outer circumference. Two integral oak leaf bands are set into the upper third of the shaft, both retaining loops for the accommodation of a hanger. A functional catch situated within the throat locks onto the scabbard’s clip. Issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include running marks and sporadic loss of nickel plating to the scabbard, in addition to some loss of gilt finish to the hilt and scabbard. This dagger remains in an overall near extremely fine condition.