Germany, Kriegsmarine. An Officer’s Dress Dagger, Refurbished Example, by Carl Eickhorn

(Kriegsmarine Dolch für Offiziere). A Kriegsmarine Officer’s dress dagger, measuring 42 cm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 25 cm-long, nickel-plated, magnetic steel blade with dual narrow fullers running the majority of the length of each side. The blade shows double-sided acid-etched imagery consisting of fouled anchors flanked by arabesque latticework and serpentine imagery The reverse ricasso bears a maker’s mark of “ORIGINAL EICKHORN, SOLINGEN”, circumscribing the firm’s classic squirrel logo. The blade sits securely within a gilded brass crossguard which bears double-sided fouled anchors. A functional push-button spring release set into the obverse connects to a clip which emanates from the ricasso to release the scabbard lock. A single piece of ribbed off-white celluloid composes the handle. The dagger completes with a gilded brass 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 brass shaft with etched imagery distributed around the outer circumference. Two integral oak leaf rings situated just below the throat accommodate loops for the addition of a hanger. A catch situated within the throat holds the dagger in place during storage. Issues consistent with age and refurbishment are evident, and include some tarnishing to the blade, friction to the scabbard release button, the loss of the handle grip’s wire with some cracking and period repairs, loss of finish to the brass fixtures, and some denting of the scabbard. This refurbished example remains in a fair condition.